what is known about the arrest of sunni imam mohamad ishaq kindo?

A significant arrest has drawn widespread attention across Burkina Faso. Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, a prominent Sunni imam and preacher, was apprehended on Tuesday, May 26, in Ouagadougou. Police officers took him to an undisclosed location, an event that occurred just two days after he publicly criticized a draft law on religious freedoms, which had been adopted on March 19. This information comes from individuals close to the imam and a Muslim organization with which he is affiliated.

The Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) released a statement shortly after the incident, confirming that Imam Kindo, who also chairs the country’s Sunni Ulema, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon “under circumstances for which official motives have not yet been communicated.”

The FAIB emphasized that it has “initiated the necessary steps with the competent authorities to obtain precise information and a favorable outcome.”

forceful apprehension

A close associate, who witnessed the arrest, recounted that it took place around 2:00 PM (GMT and local time), on the eve of the important Muslim holiday of Eid. The operation was carried out “by security personnel, including police officers and masked soldiers.”

“It was violent because the faithful who were around him resisted, which led to tension,” the associate added.

Another individual close to Imam Kindo expressed concern over “injuries among Muslim worshipers during the arrest.”

It is worth recalling that two days prior, an audio recording of Imam Kindo’s teachings had circulated widely across social media platforms.

In the recording, he condemned the adoption of the religious freedom bill in March, which aims to regulate religious practices in Burkina Faso. He urged authorities to “further question the scope of their actions before proceeding.”

“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,” he notably declared.

community tensions

This arrest has been met with significant disapproval within the community. Hours following his apprehension, hundreds of people took to the streets of Ouagadougou, demanding his release.