A high-profile detention has sent shockwaves through Ouagadougou’s religious circles. Influential Sunni imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, widely known as a vocal preacher and president of the country’s Sunni Oulema Association, was taken into custody on Tuesday, May 26, just two days after publicly criticizing a new religious freedoms bill.

heavy-handed arrest raises questions

Witnesses described a tense and forceful operation. Around 2:00 PM local time, security personnel—including masked police and military officers—stormed the location where the imam was present. Scuffles broke out as followers attempted to intervene, resulting in injuries among the worshippers. The imam was then transported to an undisclosed location, leaving many in the Muslim community stunned.

religious leaders demand answers

The Fédération des Associations Islamiques du Burkina (FAIB) issued a statement shortly after the arrest, calling the circumstances “unclear and unjustified.” The organisation announced it had filed urgent appeals with authorities to clarify the legal basis for the detention and secure his release. “We are pursuing all necessary steps to obtain precise information and a favorable outcome,” the statement read.

public outcry and calls for calm

Within hours of the arrest, hundreds of Muslims took to the streets of Ouagadougou, chanting slogans for the imam’s freedom. The protest was met with tear gas dispersal, according to witnesses. The FAIB urged believers to remain calm, warning against any escalation that could fuel further unrest.

silence from authorities amid rising tensions

Despite widespread public concern, no official statement has been released regarding the imam’s detention. The silence comes as the country marks Eid El-Kébir (Tabaski), a major Islamic holiday. After leading prayers, the President of Burkina Faso addressed the nation on social media, reaffirming his government’s commitment to national security and warning against any actions that could destabilize the state. “Those who threaten peace will face the full force of the law,” he declared.

new religious law sparks debate

The arrest follows sharp criticism from the imam over the Religious Freedoms Bill, adopted by the Council of Ministers on March 19. The legislation aims to regulate religious practices, particularly online, to curb extremism, hate speech, and incitement. Officials insist the updated law responds to growing online radicalization and threats to social cohesion.

Among its key provisions, the law prohibits the construction of religious buildings in public administration spaces—except in health facilities, prisons, and military barracks. Authorities clarify that private prayer in public spaces remains permitted, provided it does not disrupt public order or infringe on others’ beliefs.

military rule intensifies crackdown on dissent

The detention of Mohamad Ishaq Kindo is the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving critics of the current military leadership under Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has ruled since 2022. The government attributes its tightening control to the ongoing fight against jihadist insurgencies that have ravaged large parts of the country for over a decade.