Islamists attack ‘end of the world’ mosque

Islamists linked to al-Qaeda have broken down the door to a 15th-century Timbuktu mosque that locals believed had to stay shut until the end of the world, defying international calls to halt the destruction of holy sites in the Unesco-listed Malian city.

In a third day of attacks on historic and religious landmarks that Unesco has called “wanton destruction”, the Islamists targeted the Sidi Yahya mosque as they tried to erase traces of what they regard as un-Islamic idolatry.

“In legend, it is said the main gate of Sidi Yahya mosque will not be opened until the last day [of the world],” Alpha Abdoulahi, the local imam, said. Yet eight Islamist fighters smashed down its door early yesterday, saying they wanted to “destroy the mystery” of the ancient entrance.

Islamists of the Ansar Dine group say the centuries-old shrines of the local Sufi version of Islam in Timbuktu are idolatrous. They have so far destroyed at least eight of 16 listed mausoleums in the city.