Clashing Symbols in Timbuktu

Timbuktu, once celebrated as a center of African Islamic heritage, became a focal point for ideological conflict between traditionalists and extremist groups. The study highlights how the city's historical significance, symbolized by its manuscripts and shrines, attracted both preservationists aiming to revive Timbuktu's cultural legacy and jihadists seeking to enforce a 'pure' form of Islam. Between 2012 and 2013, extremist actions threatened this heritage, underscoring the tension between religious orthodoxy and local cultural practices. The research contrasts these ideologies while advocating for a nuanced understanding of religion that embraces cultural diversity.

Wingert, C. (2018). Clashing Symbols in Timbuktu. Peace Review, 30(4), 455–462. https://doi.org/10.1080/10402659.2018.1553538