HUMBUZZ - Mauritania Music Festival Tackles Extremism

By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud in Nouakchott

The Assalamalekoum Festival is designed to inform youths about the dangers of radicalism. PHOTO CREDIT: Mohamed Wedoud

The fourth edition of Mauritania's Assalamalekoum Festival just wrapped up in Nouakchott. The five-day hip-hop event attracted hundreds of young fans who reject religious extremism.

"The Assalamalekoum Festival represents the voice of Mauritanian youth rejecting all forms of violence and calling for opening bridges of love and harmony, not only among Mauritanian ethnic groups, but also among the peoples of the world," festival participant Koreira Diallo told Magharebia.

Smiling, he added that "there is no doubt that music is the best way to win the hearts of individuals and peoples."

Limam Kane, also known as "Monza", organised the June 13th-17th event, saying it was an annual reminder of the dangers of extremism and terrorism. A large number of international institutions participated in the financing of the festival.

"Islam is love, compassion and unity, and thus a way of life," Monza said. "Anyone who wages attacks on people in the name of Islam is a terrorist. We must use every means to present the true Islam to people, removed from extremism and fanaticism. Unfortunately, among some, Mauritania's name has been linked recently to suicide bombings and the killing of French tourists, and we in no way want this link or this image to continue because it is offensive to the country's history."

He added that the festival aimed to "spread a culture of tolerance among the various Mauritanian ethnic groups, because art in general is a message of peace among human beings".

"I want to sow closeness among peoples and brotherhood among everyone, and I want everyone to live in peace. I thus chose to name the festival 'Assalamalekoum', and my goal is to defend the homeland and offer a good image of Mauritania," Monza said.

Monza asserted that he loved his country and was keen "to inform people about the nature of Mauritanians so far as their love for people and respect for others and their traditions".

Thousands of young people attended the different concerts that reverberated through the various neighbourhoods of the capital in an atmosphere of camaraderie.

"The Assalamalekoum Festival is a rare artistic phenomenon in a traditional society where politicians, journalists and clerics have expressed, on more than one occasion, their rejection of violence and extremism," said young spectator Issa Ould Nasser.

Ould Nasser commented that "the selection of the phase Assalamalekoum as the title for this annual festival was a very good choice, because this phrase in itself symbolises the message of peace Muslims adhere to in their faith and which they must also embody in their behaviour."

"The festival impressed a lot of young people and offered a living example that music can be used as a means to disseminate correct values within society and to guide national, regional and even international public opinion," noted festival attendee Kane Seidou.

At the end of the event, awards were handed out to Mauritanian youth and cultural figures. Monza said he planned another festival in the near future "called 'Aleikoum Essalam', which will be a mix of contemporary and traditional art in Mauritania".

- Originally published by Magharebia June 23, 2011