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This news is a few weeks old and might annoy people like Siinii who prefer to read about Afghan domestic affairs in the "World news" section or prefer Killzai videos but I think it's relevant.
Libyan Berbers demanding recognition storm parliament
Amazigh protesters in front of the General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli (13 August 2013)
Berbers, or Amazigh, make up 5-10% of Libya's six million population
Members of Libya's minority Berber, or Amazigh, community have stormed the parliament building in Tripoli.
A spokesman for the General National Congress (GNC) said windows were smashed, furniture destroyed and documents belonging to deputies stolen.
There were no reports of any injuries after the incident, which happened during a break in a regular session.
The Amazigh were demanding that the future constitution recognise their language, ethnicity and culture.
Though they make up just 5-10% of Libya's six million population, Amazigh predate the Arab settlers who brought Islam with them from the east.
They suffered decades of repression and discrimination during the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, who was overthrown during an uprising in 2011.
Gaddafi saw Amazigh as a threat to his view of Libya as a homogenous Arab society. The Amazigh language and script Tamazight, which is distinct from Arabic, were officially banned and could not be taught in schools. Giving children Amazigh names was forbidden.
Amazigh fighters played an important role in the armed rebellion against the Gaddafi regime. One of the main fronts was in the Nafusa Mountains, where the population is predominantly Amazigh.
1. The word "Berber" is originally pejorative and the "Berbers" themselves prefer the word "Amazigh" (plural Imazighen).
2. The Amazigh are the original people of north Africa and predate the Arab conquerors.
The different Amazighi peoples from Egypt to Morocco.
Famous Amazighis include:
Zinedane Zidane, a Kabyle "Berber" of Algeria.
A Kabyle "Berber" of Algeria. The Kabyles of Algeria often have fair hair and light eyes possibly due to Germanic Vandal blood. The Taureg "Berbers" of Mali are black.
Abdel Karim Khattabi (rahimahu Allah), a Riffi "Berber" of Morocco, a man who fought two European empires at the same time, Spain and France and who inspired both Che Guevara and Ho Chin Minh with his guerilla tactics.
Libyan Berbers demanding recognition storm parliament
Amazigh protesters in front of the General National Congress (GNC) in Tripoli (13 August 2013)
Berbers, or Amazigh, make up 5-10% of Libya's six million population
Members of Libya's minority Berber, or Amazigh, community have stormed the parliament building in Tripoli.
A spokesman for the General National Congress (GNC) said windows were smashed, furniture destroyed and documents belonging to deputies stolen.
There were no reports of any injuries after the incident, which happened during a break in a regular session.
The Amazigh were demanding that the future constitution recognise their language, ethnicity and culture.
Though they make up just 5-10% of Libya's six million population, Amazigh predate the Arab settlers who brought Islam with them from the east.
They suffered decades of repression and discrimination during the rule of Muammar Gaddafi, who was overthrown during an uprising in 2011.
Gaddafi saw Amazigh as a threat to his view of Libya as a homogenous Arab society. The Amazigh language and script Tamazight, which is distinct from Arabic, were officially banned and could not be taught in schools. Giving children Amazigh names was forbidden.
Amazigh fighters played an important role in the armed rebellion against the Gaddafi regime. One of the main fronts was in the Nafusa Mountains, where the population is predominantly Amazigh.
1. The word "Berber" is originally pejorative and the "Berbers" themselves prefer the word "Amazigh" (plural Imazighen).
2. The Amazigh are the original people of north Africa and predate the Arab conquerors.
The different Amazighi peoples from Egypt to Morocco.
Famous Amazighis include:
Zinedane Zidane, a Kabyle "Berber" of Algeria.
A Kabyle "Berber" of Algeria. The Kabyles of Algeria often have fair hair and light eyes possibly due to Germanic Vandal blood. The Taureg "Berbers" of Mali are black.
Abdel Karim Khattabi (rahimahu Allah), a Riffi "Berber" of Morocco, a man who fought two European empires at the same time, Spain and France and who inspired both Che Guevara and Ho Chin Minh with his guerilla tactics.
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