Senegalese Court Convicts Muslim Holy Men of Violating Ban on Use of Children For Begging

Under pressure from human rights groups and U.S. foreign aid agencies, authorities in Senegal last month reversed a long-enrenched custom and banned marabouts-- Muslim holy men-- from enlisting children to beg for them.  Then, according to yesterday's New York Times, last week for the first time seven marabouts were convicted by a court in Dakar of violating the ban. They were given a rather light sentence of six months probation and a fine, but many see the move as revolutionary.  Human Rights Watch has estimated that there are as many as 50,000 children (called talibes), some as young as 4, on the streets of Senegal weaving in and out of traffic to beg for coins that they must then turn over to marabouts where they live. Supposedly the children are enrolled in schools teaching the Qur'an, but often they learn little. Observers are not sure whether last week's convictions are the beginning of a real enforcement effort or merely a symbolic gesture. The Koranic Teachers Association in the town of Louga called for Sengalese President Abdoulaye Wade to resign if the government insists on enforcing the ban on talibes.