Tunis — "The Malekite rite and its impact on the unification of the practice of religious rites" was the object of the second Tunisian-Moroccan conference which was recently held in Kairouan.

The conference organized by the Tunisian Ministry of Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Moroccan Ministry of "Waqf and Islamic Affairs", is in line with Tunisia's will to increase the number of scientific meetings, which are likely to boost Maghrebi union.

In the words of the Tunisian Minister of Religious Affairs, Mr El Akhzouri, the event is also likely to enable "the preservation of common features shared by the Arab Maghreb countries such as language, history, and religion".

The minister also stressed the importance of preserving the Malekite rite both in Tunisia and in Morocco, and in fighting against trends opposing the Arab Maghreb Union. Nevertheless, Mr. El Akhzouri urged to ensure respect of other schools, besides Malikism.

One of the highlights of the conference was the talk given by Tunisia's Mufti Sheikh Othman Battikh on "Custom in the "fatwas" of Islamic scholars from Tunis".

The Malekite rite is one of the four schools (Madhhab) of Sunni Islam. It is predominant in North and West Africa and represents some 20% of Muslims. It is also the most ancient Koranic exegetic school.