Mali: The treatment of individuals that convert from Islam to Christianity, particularly in the northern regions; availability of state protection and possibility of relocation to Christian areas in the south or to urban centres such as Bamako

The Annual International Religious Freedom Report 2002 states that Muslims comprise 90 per cent of the Malian population (7 Oct. 2002, Sec.i). Christians make up approximately five percent of the population, and their community is evenly distributed between Catholics and Protestants (The Annual Religious Freedom Report 2002, Sec. 1). The report also states that

there are no geographic concentrations or segregation of religious groups. Christian communities, which tend to be located in and around urban areas, are found throughout the country, but more often in the southern regions. Groups that practice traditional indigenous religions are located throughout the country but are most active in rural areas (ibid.).

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), an American "evangelical denomination with a major emphasis on world evangelization," (n.d.b) states that the few Christian converts among the Fulani (also known as Fulbe) have paid a high price (n.d.a). According the C &MA website, "a Fulani Christian convert loses home, cattle, and family" (C&MA). Additionally, other Muslim groups reacted negatively towards the

" new Fulani's openness" and tried to exert pressure on the government to teaching about Jesus (ibid.).

Worthy News, a non-denominational Christian news service, quotes two religious leaders in Bamako as stating that societal attitudes towards Christians in Mali have been deteriorating since 1995 (worthy News 2001a). The leaders reportedly intimated that their churches were experiencing difficulties in terms of renting space for their congregations (ibid.). Reverend Elkana Thera, Director of the Bible Society in Mali, suspected that Muslim mosques had directed property owners not to rent their premises to Christians (ibid.). According to Reverend Effa Ekuri of the Dee per life Bible Church in Bamako, his church was expelled from Kidal in the far north of Mali in 2000 and was unable to establish a church in Tombouctou due to pressure from Muslim leaders (ibid.).

Another issue of Worthy News reports that in the Muslim city of Magnambougou, a suburb of Bamako, Christians were refused permission to build new churches (Worthy News 2001b). A church leader in Bamako reportedly said that Christians have experienced discrimination as '"all the positions of authority, right down to local government positions, have been taken by Muslims"' (ibid.). According to the same Christian leader, the neighbouring Muslim countries of Libya, Algeria, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania, are pressuring the authorities to declare Mali a Muslim state (ibid.).

An exception is the Christian Evangelical Church in Niamakoro, another suburb of Bamako, where Muslims have benefited from medicines and treatment provided by a team of medical personnel from different churches in the United States (ibid.). The church is reportedly also involved in helping Muslim converts who have been rejected by their families for converting to Christianity (ibid.).

However, Country Reports for Human Rights Practices for 2001 and the International Religious Freedom Report 2002 provide contradictory information. According to Country Reports, the Malian Constitution provides for freedom of religion and generally respects this right (2002, 430). However, it is within the jurisdiction of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Security to "prohibit religious publications that he concludes defame another religion," although he had not exercised this authority at the end of 2001 (ibid.). The International Religious Freedom Report 2002 reported that relations between Muslims, Christians and members of other religious groups, including those of traditional religions, were cordial in (7 Oct. 2002, Sec. iii)

Reports on the availability of state protection and the possibility of relocation to Christian areas in the south or to urban centres could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

International Religious Freedom Report 2002. 7 October 2002. "Mali." United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 13 Feb. 2003]

The Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA). n.d.a. "Prayer Profile: Fulani of Mali." [Accessed 13 Feb. 2002]

_____. N.d.b. "Who are We."

[Accessed 13 Feb. 2003]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2001. 2002. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. United States Government Printing Office.

Worthy News. 2001a. Geoff Stamp. "Freedom to evangelize is Slipping Away. Churches Are Often Prevented from Renting Property or Organizing Missions." [Accessed 13 Feb. 2003]

_____. 2001b. Geoff Stamp. "Christians Fear Growth of Persecution in Mali. Islam and Church Disunity Combine to Dull the Impact of the Church." [Accessed 13 Feb.2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series

IRB Databases

NEXIS

New African

Resource Centre. Country Files: Mali

Internet sites, including:

All Africa

Alliance Partners

Barnabas Fund

Christian Reformed World Missions

Relief Web

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