Mauritanian President Moktar Ould Daddah attended the opening of the Afro-Islamic conference in the capital Nouakchott on Monday (3 May).

200 delegates from many African countries including South Africa attended the conference which is aimed at strengthening the Moslem religion in the continent. According to the most recent figures there are 60 million Moslems in Africa south of the Sahara, 20 million Moslems in west Africa and another 20 million in east Africa.

Mauritania was in many ways a natural choice as the venue for the conference. It is 100 per cent Moslem and Mauritanians have played an important role in spreading the role of Islam across Africa. As far back as the 10th century Berber tribes based in Mauritania carried the Islamic faith into other territories.

The world wide Islamic organisation known as Rabita was well represented at the conference. Rabita was founded to promote the Moslem faith and defend it against unfavourable propaganda.

The conference, which lasted for four days, ended on March 6.