Bamako, Mali (AP) – Mali’s military government began on Monday to return to the historic homeland Manuscripts from TimbuktuIt was vibrant from their legendary northern city when it was occupied by gunmen linked to al -Qaeda for more than a decade.
Islamic Extremists destroyed more than 4000 manuscriptsSome return to the thirteenth century, after they seized Timbuktu in 2012, according to the results of the mission of the United Nations experts. They also destroyed nine shrines and door of the mosque – except for one of the buildings in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The majority of documents dating back to the thirteenth century-more than 27,000-were rescued through the sincerity of the Timbocto Library, who carried them from the occupied city in rice bags, on donkeys, with a motorcycle, on a boat and four wheels.
The authorities said that the first batch of manuscripts was brought to Timbocto by plane from the capital of Bamako, adding that the return was necessary to protect them from Bamako’s humidity threats.
The shipment consisted of more than 200 boxes and a weight of about 5.5 tons. The officials said the rest will be shipped in the coming days.
About 706 km (439 miles) from BAMAKO, Timbuktu sits on the edge of the desert desert and has a dry climate. For years, local and religious authorities have requested the return of manuscripts.
Dihara Toure, the deputy mayor of Timbocto, said that the famous documents are important for the local population because they “reflect our civilization and spiritual and intellectual heritage.”
“This is the first stage,” said Bilal Mahamran Traore, a local official.
In February, the military government committed to return the manuscripts, according to Boima Kansai, Minister of Financial Higher Education. He described them as “a legacy that testifies to intellectual greatness and the periods of civilization” in the city of Timbocto – “a bridge between the past and the future.”
“We now have the responsibility to protect, study, study and promote these treasures so that they can continue to enlighten Mali, Africa and the world,” Kanzai said during a return ceremony on Monday.
The manuscripts, which are defined by UNESCO as part of the global cultural heritage, cover countless topics, from Islamic theology and jurisprudence, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, history, and geography. It is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Mali and Songhai Empires in West Africa.
Mali, along with Burkina Faso and the neighboring Niger, has long been rebelled by armed militants, including some allies with al -Qaeda and the Islamic State Group. After two of the military coup, the ruling military council expelled the French forces and instead it turned into Russia for security assistance.
However, 13 years after the Timbuktu occupation, the security situation in financial It is still framed and analysts say he has worsened in recent months. Although the city returned under the control of the government, militants continue to attack its surroundings, including recently last month.
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