Destruction of Sufi cultural sites in invade-torn Libya

After the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, peace could not be established in the North African country of Libya. Libya still has serious security problems and armed operations pose serious threats to its historical heritage. 

In almost all North African Muslim countries, including Libya, the Sufi tradition began before the sixteenth century. Abdul Salam al-Asmar, a 16th-century elder, was well-known in Libya and neighboring countries, and had a large following. This number is still considered large.

The seminary established by him has been instrumental in enhancing the intellectual capacity of Muslim scholars from different regions since his time. The chain of believers of Al-Asmar is associated with Sufism.

The tradition of Sufism in the North African country of Libya is centuries old

 The angle of the sky

In Arabic, zawiyah means a Sufi and religious institute or seminary. People of the North African Sufi lineage consider the level of education imparted at such angles to be equal to that of a university. The famous historian Fathi al-Zarkhani compared the angle of Al-Asmar to that of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt.

Science, medicine and other sciences are taught in several subsidiary institutions of the Islamic University of Al-Asmariyah in the Libyan city of Zalitan. It is also called Al-Asmaria Islamic University. In the minaret of its magnificent mosque, traces of bullets fired by the warring parties can be seen. 

This angle remained closed for a full six years after the terrorist attack of extremists in 2012 and in 2018, the teaching and learning process has started in a quiet and covert manner. 

Significantly, Salafi extremists did not shy away from blowing up the shrines of many Sufis in Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Many historic shrines are being rebuilt.

Salafi extremists bulldoze mosque and building of Al-Mustaghar Balla Center, a Sufi shrine in Sirte

Destruction of Sufi sites in invade-torn Libya 

Over the past decade, more than 530 Sufi cultural sites have suffered partial or complete destruction due to the invade. Last year, a mosque and building at the Al-Mustaghar Ballah Center, a centuries-old historical site in the coastal city of Sirte, were bulldozed.

Osama bin Laden, who has a keen eye on the situation in Libya, says the destruction of these buildings is not surprising as the country has fallen into the depths of decline. According to Hamel, the Al-Mustaghar Ballah Center's library, along with 4,000 ancient rare books, as well as 500-year-old manuscripts, was reduced to ashes when the center was set on fire by extremist militants and then demolished. 

Militant operation on Al-Asmaria University 

In August 2012, armed Salafist extremists severely damaged the Al-Asmaria University building. They also tried to blow it up with explosives and severely damaged a section of the madrassa.

After the fall of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, peace could not be established in the North African country of Libya.

In addition to burning the library's books, extremists also committed numerous thefts. The tomb of Sufi Abdul Salam al-Asmar was also severely damaged in the attack. 

Now, Sufi devotees are once again busy rebuilding this historic seminary. Craftsmen seem to be busy decorating this madrassa. These skilled people are trying to restore the ancient beauty of this school.

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