mosque closed ‘until further notice’ after protests

The military-led administration in Burkina Faso has shut down the country’s largest Sunni mosque in Ouagadougou until further notice, citing serious public disorder risks. The decision follows days of mounting tension after the arrest of influential imam and Sunni preacher Mohamad Ishaq Kindo.

clashes erupt as supporters rally for detained imam

Since the imam’s arrest on Tuesday, hundreds of worshippers gathered near the mosque to demand his release. Security forces intervened to disperse the crowd, resulting in nearly a hundred arrests. Detainees were reportedly transferred to a Republican Security Corps camp for a ‘civic and citizenship re-education program.’

Social media footage, though unverified, appears to show detained individuals performing physical drills and prayers under military supervision. The regime has not commented on the authenticity of these videos.

imam’s criticism of new religious law sparks crisis

Imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo had publicly opposed a proposed law aimed at tightening regulation of religious freedoms in Burkina Faso. His arrest coincides with a broader crackdown under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in a September 2022 coup.