Mauritania abruptly closes two charity foundations

By Mohamed Bakay

NOUAKCHOTT (AA) - The Mauritanian authorities have closed two charity foundations operating in the country, according to a foundation source and local media reports.

"The authorities closed the Al-Khair Foundation and denied its staff entrance to its Nouakchott headquarters," one Al-Khair official, preferring anonymity for security reasons, told Anadolu Agency.

According to reports in the local media, Al-Khair and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth -- both of which have offices in the capital -- have been closed since Tuesday.

The Mauritanian authorities, for their part, have yet to officially confirm the closures.

The two foundations are known for providing assistance to orphans and needy families.

Recent months have seen the closure of other charity groups in Mauritania, including the Center for the Development of Islamic Scholars headed by prominent Mauritanian academic Mohamed Hassan Ould Daddou.

This week’s apparent decision to close the two charities has drawn widespread criticism on Mauritanian social-media platforms.

Some observers believe the move is part of a wider crackdown on Islamic associations in Mauritania, which they say began after parliamentary polls held last September.