Imam mohamad ishaq kindo arrested in Ouagadougou amid religious tensions

The influential Sunni imam and preacher Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, President of the Union of Sunni Scholars of Burkina Faso, was detained in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, May 26, by masked security forces including police and military personnel. The arrest occurred just two days after he publicly criticized the newly adopted religious freedoms bill, which was passed in March.

According to a statement from the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB), the reasons behind his detention remain officially undisclosed. The organization has since filed formal requests with competent authorities to obtain clarity and seek a resolution.

Violent arrest amid religious gathering

A close associate present during the incident reported that the operation took place around 2:00 PM local time, just before the Eid al-Adha celebrations. The presence of masked security forces triggered tensions as worshippers gathered around the imam resisted the arrest, resulting in injuries among the faithful.

Days earlier, a widely circulated recording of Kindo had gone viral on social media. In the video, he condemned the March 19 religious freedoms bill, urging authorities to reflect on the implications of their decisions and warning against interference in public prayer spaces.

Public unrest and official silence

Hours after the imam’s arrest, hundreds of supporters took to the streets of Ouagadougou, demanding his release. The protest was dispersed using tear gas, according to eyewitness accounts. The FAIB appealed to the Muslim community to remain calm and avoid escalating tensions.

With no official statements issued regarding Kindo’s detention, public attention remains focused on the evolving situation. Following Eid prayers, Burkina Faso’s Head of State addressed the nation on social media, emphasizing the government’s commitment to combating jihadist threats while warning against any attempts to destabilize national security.

Controversial religious freedoms law

The contested bill, adopted in mid-March, aims to regulate religious practices to curb extremism and online hate speech. Authorities argue that its provisions are necessary to restore national cohesion in a country facing persistent security challenges.

The law prohibits the construction of religious buildings in public administration spaces, except in healthcare centers, prisons, and military installations. Authorities clarified that public prayers remain permitted as long as they respect inter-faith sensitivities.

The arrest of Mohamad Ishaq Kindo underscores the growing tensions between religious leadership and state policies in Burkina Faso, where military rule has tightened control amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations.