What we know about the arrest of Sunni Imam Mohamad Kindo
Crédit photo, Capture écran YouTube
The detention of Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, a prominent Sunni imam and preacher, has become a significant event in Burkina Faso. On Tuesday, May 26, police officers apprehended Imam Kindo in Ouagadougou and took him to an undisclosed location. This arrest occurred just two days after he voiced strong criticism against a new bill on religious freedoms, which was adopted on March 19. This information comes from close associates and a Muslim organization affiliated with the imam.
Hours following the incident, the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) released a statement. It confirmed that Imam Kindo, who also serves as the president of the country’s Sunni Ulema, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon “under circumstances for which official motives have not yet been communicated.” The FAIB further indicated that it has “undertaken the necessary steps with competent authorities to obtain precise information and a favorable outcome.”
Forceful Arrest
A close associate, who witnessed the apprehension, described it as taking place around 2:00 PM (GMT and local time), on the eve of the important Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha. The operation was conducted “by security elements, including police and masked soldiers.”
“It was violent because the faithful who were around him resisted, which caused tension,” the associate explained.
Another individual close to Imam Kindo reported “injuries among the Muslim faithful during the arrest.”
Just two days prior, a recording of Imam Kindo’s teachings had been widely circulated across social media platforms. In it, he vehemently denounced the March adoption of a bill regulating the exercise of religious freedoms in Burkina Faso. He had urged the authorities to “further question the scope of their actions before acting.”
He notably declared, “Let everyone beware and refrain from seeking to prohibit prayers in public places. Whether you are a leader or a strongman, you possess neither the strength nor the power of God.”
Tensions
This arrest has been met with considerable discontent within the community. Following his detention, hundreds of people took to the streets of Ouagadougou, demanding his release, according to local residents.
The demonstration was ultimately dispersed using tear gas.
The FAIB has called upon “all Muslim faithful to remain calm, restrained, and serene” amidst the rising tensions.
No Official Reaction
Crédit photo, Reuters
The day after the events, which coincided with Eid al-Adha, calm appears to have been restored within the community, though it continues to closely follow the religious leader’s case.
Following his Eid al-Adha prayer, the President of Burkina Faso shared his thoughts on social media. While paying tribute to the security forces engaged in the fight against jihadism, the Head of State also issued a stern warning to “enemies of the Nation.” He cautioned against any attempts to attack, discourage combat forces, or cause any other form of disruption to the country’s progress.
Anyone adopting such a posture, he emphatically stated, “will bear full responsibility and all consequences that will follow.” As of now, there has been no official statement specifically addressing Imam Kindo’s arrest.
Prohibition of Erecting Places of Worship in Public Services
It is crucial to understand that the bill on religious freedoms in Burkina Faso, which seems to be the catalyst for the influential imam’s current situation, was adopted by the Council of Ministers on March 19.
The text aims to regulate the exercise of religious liberty, seeking to prevent certain abuses observed on social media and to safeguard the freedom of religion. This document has garnered diverse opinions.
Mariem Sanogo, Director General of Religious, Customary, and Traditional Affairs of Burkina, reassured that the text itself is not entirely new but has been updated “in the face of radicalism and violent extremism.” She further added that it addresses “hate speech and discourteous remarks online.”
Authorities hope this bill will bring order and put an end to these excesses, thereby strengthening national cohesion, a key objective in current African politics.
In Burkina Faso, like many other nations across the continent, the state maintains a secular stance, ensuring equality among all religious confessions. The new bill specifically prohibits the construction of places of worship within public service facilities, with designated exceptions for health facilities, penitentiary establishments, barracks, and military camps.
Given the impracticality of erecting places of worship for all faiths within government administrations, the state has opted for a straightforward prohibition. However, authorities have clarified that praying in public spaces is not forbidden, provided it is done with respect for the beliefs of others.
Since Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed power, several notable disappearances of individuals critical of the regime have been reported, making this latest news a significant development in Africa news.
Authorities largely justify their repressive policies by referencing the decade-long war they are waging against jihadist groups, which are active across a substantial portion of the country.
Burkina Faso has been under military rule, led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, for nearly four years.
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