Islamic education began in the Malian religion as early as the 16th century, when Timbuktu had 150 Qur'anic schools.[1] Many Malians, especially those who reside in Bamako, Sikasso, and Kayes, attend madrassas, which are private Islamic schools that are mainly taught in Arabic for primary education.[2] These institutions also teach French, as required by the Malian law, and receive international aid from regions such as the US and Europe.[6] Similarly, many Malians attend informal Qur'anic schools which teach students how to read Arabic through using local languages.[6] These schools do not receive government aid.[6] A medersa also helps students learn how to recite the Qur'an, but additionally provides students with an education about western issues, Islamic, European, and French history, mathematics, and Arabic.[3]