The attack that took place in Eastern Aleg, on December 24, killing four innocent French visitors, who had entered Mauritania legally and showed respect to the country and its people, has caused much sorrow to Mauritanians both at home and abroad. It was shocking not only to Mauritanians but actually to everyone who knows Mauritania.

Mauritanians have always been far from violence and armed actions, due to two factors: (1) Mauritanians’ deep understanding of Islam, the religion of tolerance and peace, and (2) Mauritania’s sociologically undivided and closely related community, where the individual would be afraid of stigmatising himself as well as his family or clan if he commits a crime.

Basically, this gross act is against the Islamic teachings that prohibit killing innocent human souls, and it is even more detestable because it was committed during the sacred month of Dhul-Hijjah, while Muslims are just coming back from Hajj.

Declaring war against others on the false pretext of “jihad” is something strongly disapproved of by any religion as well as by any sound mind. It distorts the pure image of Islam, drives others away from it, and misrepresents the true concept of jihad, reducing it to militia operations, murder, and destruction.

In addition, such an act is detrimental to the interests of the whole nation, both individually and collectively.

While Mauritania is attempting at all levels — governmental, party, and public — to improve citizens’ quality of life, and while the world is devoting considerable efforts to help Mauritania rise up from backwardness (as we have seen in the Paris Club meeting), and while the nation is enjoying unprecedented freedom of thought, expression, and da`wah, a bunch of gangsters just come up and commit such an extremely hideous crime.

Those perpetrators had deviant religious ideologies, turned away from the values of their nation, never cared for the good of their homeland, and acted in complete disregard to the devastating consequences of their deeds (such as terrorising people, maximising risk of foreign intervention, deteriorating the country’s reputation, and discouraging domestic investments, which require stability and security).

It is the duty of everyone in this country — leaders, politicians, and citizens — to mobilise and combat such erroneous ideologies. Muslim scholars and intellectuals have a particularly important role in refuting the malicious thought that seeks to plunge society into chaos and turmoil and to implant intimidation and insecurity into Muslims’ lives.

We ask Allah, Exalted be He, to protect us, our country, Muslim countries, and all humanity from evil and tribulations.

This atrocious attack is totally contrary to the tolerant spirit and religious beliefs that Mauritanians have been known for throughout history. All Mauritanians, at home and overseas, have to censure such grave incidents, whether in word or deed, and to educate the youth about the gravity of such an invading culture that has no grounds in our religion and value system and endangers the future of our nation.