World Heritage update: Damage to Timbuktu’s cultural heritage is worse than first estimated reports. This is our common heritage, nothing can justify damaging it. We must protect culture -- the identity and values of a people are at stake. ---UNESCO

Ansar Dine or "Protectors of the Faith

Islamist militia that shares control of Mali's north

doing the work of God

Idolatry - “the population loves the saints like God.”

Un-Islamic "In Islam, there are strict laws about the way

and size in which tombs are built"

Islamists in Mali destroy mausoleums at World Heritage Site

Agence France-Presse 4:50 pm | Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012

SOLUTION

U.N. officials have estimated it will take at least $11 million dollars to help restore and preserve what has been damaged and what remains.

February 18, 2013 – UNESCO launched the $11 million rescue project

References

http://issuu.com/unesconow/docs/unesco_protect_culture_in_times_of_war

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/222817/islamists-in-mali-destroy-mausoleums-at-world-heritage-site