Founder of Mauritanian Bloggers Union says freedom of expression is sacred

23/05/2008

A union of Mauritanian bloggers is up and running. More than 400 members have set aside their differences to promote expression without censorship, discuss professional standards and show the rest of the world what they call the "real" Mauritania.

By Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud for Magharebia in Nouakchott - 21/05/08

[Mohamed Yahya Ould Abdel Wedoud] Blogger Ahmad Ould Islam sits down with Magharebia to discuss the formation and goals of the Mauritanian Bloggers Union.

When Ahmad Ould Islam, the only Mauritanian in the Union of Arab Bloggers, officially launched a bloggers' union in his country on March 21st it was a groundbreaking event for press freedom advocates worldwide. Magharebia sat down with Ould Islam to learn more about this new platform for Mauritanians to sharing ideas.

Magharebia: When and how was the idea of creating a union for Mauritanian bloggers first born?

Ahmad Ould Islam: I first thought of the idea of forming a union for Mauritanian bloggers when I started blogging in the summer of 2006. The notion was further consolidated after I joined the Arab Bloggers Union, where I was a member in its first interim executive body. Next, I started propagating the idea through my blog, although the dream could not be realised because I was outside Mauritania. Having finished school, I went back home, and revisited the idea, which I decided to post on my blog, as well as other Mauritanian blogs. The suggestion was warmly welcomed by Mauritanian bloggers. Confident of the growing number of proponents, I announced the creation of a founding gathering. A number of bloggers attended and elected an executive body to be in charge of formulating the articles of association and undertaking the necessary legal procedures. We have come a long way in this regard.

Magharebia: What do you hope to accomplish through the union?

Ould Islam: The basic idea of the union is to act as a syndicate defending the rights of Mauritanian bloggers, especially as they continue to grow in number and adopt various schools of thought, and thus might be subject to harassment on account of their views. Additionally, our goal is to elevate the idea of blogging as a human message and a new media, which allows the blogger complete freedom of expression free from any censorship, except one’s own conscience. Most Mauritanian intellectuals have not yet realised the true value of blogs. Until now, bloggers have been solely young people--mostly university students or graduates--who wish to vent to their otherwise stifled thoughts. Among the key objectives of the union, at this point, is to disseminate the culture of blogging among the Mauritanian elite, and encourage writers and men of letters, to first start blogs then, secondly, join the union.

The union is also keen on presenting an unblemished image of Mauritania to the "other", especially in the absence of correct information on Mauritania, and amidst multitudes of false, media-exaggerated ideas that cause readers to adopt a stereotypical notion of our country that may be far from reality.

[rimblog.maktoobblog.com] Ould Islam tells Magharebia that the Mauritanian Bloggers Union has already stood by two Mauritanian journalists who were arrested.

Magharebia: How far can the Mauritanian Bloggers Union go to reinforce freedom of expression?

Ould Islam: Given the fact that no censorship is imposed on bloggers, they are "free". That means it is only the blogger who can place constraints on that freedom, based on his cultural background or personality. It could happen that a blogger could go beyond what others may deem the limit of freedom, but this is personal judgment.

I personally think that bloggers should not feel watched by either society or some authority. We will thus make sure that the union be open to all opinions, no matter how different they are from the ideas of those in charge. This is something noticeable in the blogs of union members. Among them are secular leftists, Salafi Islamists, and moderates, and some do not belong to any particular school of thought. They all exist side by side in harmony, and the union is committed to defending them all against any potential harassment.

Out of the union's steadfast belief that freedom of expression is a sacred, inalienable right endorsed by law, the union stood by the two Mauritanian journalists who were arrested. This is a union principle we intend to conform to, which will act as a key factor in enhancing freedom of expression in Mauritania, where progress is currently underway for fundamental freedoms, progress which everyone should make use of.

Magharebia: How far can the Mauritanian Bloggers Union go to enhance Maghreb cultural exchanges, in light of the terrorist acts threatening the security of the region?

Ould Islam: The Mauritanian Bloggers Union is a gateway through which Mauritania can show the world its fair face, as evidenced by its indelible history of tolerance and peaceful co-existence, both internally and with neighbours. Terrorism is new to Mauritania. It is a phenomenon of unknown size, but doubtless peril. All Arab elites are required to co-operate in order to intellectually contain it. This solution is undoubtedly far more efficient that security measures.

There are several other more fruitful and widely-agreed upon domains in which the union will endeavour to secure the co-operation of Maghreb and Arab organisations. It is noteworthy that in all Maghreb states, except Tunisia, there are unions for bloggers. Therefore, co-operation with those bodies will take place either on a bilateral basis, or via the Arab Bloggers Union.