Mauritanian authorities revoked Wednesday a license granted to Abdullah Ibn Yacin University, which is owned by ‘Islamists’ and hosts leaders from the Muslim Brotherhood studying at it.
The Ministry for Higher Education notified the university of a decision to terminate its construction contract that granted it permission in 2010 to operate as a private university besides the Mauritanian high education institutions.
The ministry justified this decision by saying that the university president Walid al-Dido is carrying out nonacademic activities including inciting violence and promoting extremism.
The Mauritanian authorities started a series of procedures against the Muslim Brotherhood and National Rally for Reform and Development, a backer of the group that was previously accused by the Mauritanian president of ‘extremism and terrorism’.
These procedures kicked off on Sunday when the Scientist Formation Center, established in 2007, was shut down, as it was directed by Dido- described by some as the spiritual father and guide of Muslim Brotherhood in Mauritania.
Semi-official sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the Mauritanian authorities believe that the center is spreading violent and extremist ideas.
