Religions unite against violent extremism in Burkina Faso

Catholics in Burkina Faso have joined forces with members of the Muslim majority and traditional religions in working and praying for peace in the West African nation, which is trying to emerge from seven years of jihadist violence. 

Catholics, part of the Christian minority that make up just over a quarter of the country’s nearly 22 million people, officially joined the “pray for peace in Burkina” campaign on May 21 The effort, which was launched by the nation’s transitional government, got the backing of the Muslims and members of African traditional religions two days earlier. 

Burkina Faso has been targeted by violent extremist groups the past seven years and is currently experiencing a security and humanitarian crisis. The violence has left hundreds dead and two million internally displaced.

Father Joseph Clochard, a member of the Commission for Islamic-Christian Dialogue, said the government's prayer initiative is in line with the activities of the country's religious leaders. "We religious pray for our country, and in this difficult time, that is what we must continue to do,” the Catholic priest said.

It was in this context that the Episcopal Commission for Interreligious Dialogue organized, for the first time, the National Week of Interreligious Dialogue, from May 8 to 14.

"Opening up to others"

Father Clochard said "opening up to others" was especially in the current context. "We need to reach out to others, not live in a vacuum. At the Church level, we have inter-religious marriages that form the basis of this living-together. These people, who are living witnesses, show us that we can love each other despite our religious differences," he insisted. "People who know neither their own religion nor that of others can be manipulated. That's why we encourage people to get to know the sacred books of other faiths," the priest said.

To this end, during the panels organized during the Week of Interreligious Dialogue, verses from the various sacred books were used to guide the teachings.

"By learning about the religions of other believers, fear is erased," Clochard explained. "To this end, in certain parishes of the Church of Ouagadougou, the faithful are involved in basic christian communities (BCC) for living together in our religious differences," he said. "Religions don't wage war,” the priest added. “It's people who interpret what they understand about religions and their political visions for their own interests."

"All faiths must join hands"

Imam Adam Kaboré, a local Sunni leader, said Burkina Faso is a country chosen and blessed by Allah. "In our shared history, when the country was shaken by the vicissitudes of life, we prayed and saved it. That's why we believe that all faiths must join hands to pray for the country," he said.

But the imam also admitted that prayer alone is not enough.

"You have to reach out to others, the marginalized, the poor, the lost, and give them the love you've received from God. After the mosque, we have to go out and meet our fellow human beings to share the peace we have," he said. "In the hearts of our compatriots, this peace is lacking, and it is there that the religions – and the religious that we are and represent – are awaited," he pointed out.

"A country built on the values of protection of life and God triumphs over all misfortune," said Naaba Sanem Bangré, a chief of one of the traditional African religions. "When Burkina Faso decides to kneel before God, it's also the time for opening our ears to hear those who take up arms against the country. It is time for us to feed the poor and shelter the displaced and the refugee. It is time we go out to meet those who are far from us and have taken up arms against us," he said.

The traditional chief believes that the values of the ancestors, who opened their arms to welcome revealed religions, can serve as a foundation to bind Burkinabè society together.