(ZENIT News / Mali, 10.30.2024).- According to information received by the intentional Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an Islamic extremist group that is active in the region has recently imposed a tax of 25 thousand CFA Francs (around 40 dollars) on all Christians over the age of 18 in Douna-Pen, the largest Christian village in the east of Koro, Mopti.
This payment has become a condition for the free practice of religion. Extremists have made their demands clear, and recently collected money from the community with complete impunity, according to ACN’s sources, who requested anonymity for safety reasons. Those who were unable, or unwilling, to pay were warned that the alternative would be the forced closure of their places of worship.
The worrying situation began in the village of Dougouténé, where residents were first called to pay the so-called jizya, a religious tax. Now, Douna-Pen has begun to face the same issue. Local residents fear that the practice could spread to other villages, further threatening religious freedom and local security.
Islamic extremists had previously demanded the closing of both the Protestant and Catholic churches in Douna-Pen. For a while, during a fragile peace, residents were allowed to practice their faith, although without the use of musical instruments during worship, in a clear restriction of their religious freedom.
One of the confidential sources expressed deep concern over this escalation of what is already a difficult situation, saying: “We are supposed to be living in a secular state, where such practices should not take place, but unfortunately this is becoming our new reality. If the authorities do not act, the population will pay taxes directly into the coffers of the terrorists, who act under the flag of jihadism in the Republic of Mali.” The source added: “We know that the country is large and that the same is happening in other places, but if we don’t do something in this area soon, the consequences will be disastrous. Here people are butchered like rats!”
Douna-Pen is located in the Dioungani commune and has a significant Christian population. This recent case of financial extortion is the latest chapter in a history of violence and persecution that has swept the region. The situation is aggravated by the lack of basic infrastructure, such as roads and water supply, as well as the closing of schools due to lack of security.
There is concern that these forced payments to extremist Islamic groups might lead to deep divisions among the population, eroding trust in the government and further damaging the region’s fragile stability. Many residents are afraid of being abandoned by the Malian state.
The source concluded with a heartfelt request: “This is the cry of a citizen who still believes in the Republic of Mali and in its leaders, but we need immediate action to avoid a religious conflict from taking hold of this country. May God help us.”
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