AFRICA/ALGERIA - Violence in the valley of M'Zab, Christians pray for peace

Thursday, 20 March 2014

Ghardaia (Agenzia Fides) - For three months, the M'Zab Valley in southern Algeria has been the scene of sectarian violence base on ethnic-religious conflict that the Algerian security apparatus cannot stop. The clashes regard the Ibadi Berber population and groups of Sunni Islamists. But the situation is complicated by the maneuvers of gangs who are taking advantage of the chaos and carry out looting and other criminal acts. In this dramatic scenario, the small local Christian community offers its prayers and its effective contribution to help overcome the wounds that are destroying the centuries-old coexistence among different groups rooted in the region.
"We, small Christian community of M'Zab, suffer with you all", is what is written in a letter-appeal addressed to all the inhabitants of the area, by His Exc. Mgr. Claude Rault M. Afr, Bishop of the diocese of Laghouat. In the message - sent to Fides Agency - the titular of one of the geographically largest dioceses in the world (more than 2 million square miles) describes with sorrowful tones the division that the two communities are facing. "For centuries", writes the Catholic Bishop "you have been living in peace despite temporary conflicts that have touched your communities and your families. Wisdom has always prevailed, with the help of God". But today, hostility and clashes "are fueled by false rumors that increase violence".
In this context, Christians offer their spiritual and concrete contribution so that the M'Zab Valley returns being a place of brotherhood and peaceful coexistence: "Our friendship" continues Bishop Rault’s message "goes beyond the differences that may separate us. We ourselves are very touched by the hospitality you have always shown. We are here as artisans of peace and reconciliation. (...). With all our hearts we pray our merciful God every day, so that he may sow peace in the hearts and in the communities".
In recent days, the violence which broke out in the district of Sidi Bou Noura Abbaz in the city, quickly spread to the town of Ghardaia. The recurrent waves of violence in recent months - with deaths, injuries, looting, dozens of homes and shops set on fire - have often occurred at the end of the prayers in mosques. The authorities in Algiers have sent reinforcement units to the local security apparatus. Meanwhile, young Berbers have organized armed squads to protect their homes, their families and the shops of their neighborhoods from Islamist violence. (GV) (Agenzia Fides 20/03/2014)


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