Mahfouz Ould Ibrahim, the deputy of the center, said authorities have accused it of spreading extremism.

He said police have recently stormed the center and acted disrespectfully with its members before closing it down.

Ibrahim said despite the accusation, the center promotes moderation, adding that the government should have sent inspectors to look into the center’s activities before sending police and security forces.  

Some observers say Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has been making moves against Islamic parties with the aim of paving the way for his reelection for the third consecutive term.

The Islamic Republic of Mauritania is a country in North Africa. Muslims make up over 98 percent of the country’s population.