SAFEGUARD

Thousands Rally in Mali

To defend nonradical Islam.

Several thousand demonstrators gathered in the capital of Mali on Saturday to show support for nonradical Isalm. The rally comes as the international community contemplates military intervention after Islamic extremists took control of the northern part of the country. Led by the country’s Muslim leaders, the rally came in support of “the authentic Islam,” which they describe as a religion based on “tolerance and peace.” Joining in the demonstration was Capt. Amadou Sanogo, military leader of the failed April coup d’état that destabilized Mali enough to allow an al Qaeda–led, ultrahardline Islamic group to overtake the country.