Tenkodogo: The Union of Religious and Customary People of Burkina Faso for the Promotion of Health and Development (URCB/SD), in collaboration with the Ittihad Islami Association and supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands, inaugurated a retreat on Tuesday in Tenkodogo. The purpose of the gathering is to engage with an advocacy and awareness-raising document focused on unity, peace, and countering violent extremism.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the retreat’s opening ceremony was led by Saidou Ouedraogo, the High Commissioner of Koulpelogo Province, representing the Governor of the Nakambe region. Ouedraogo praised the initiative and encouraged religious and traditional leaders to embrace and disseminate values of tolerance and peace within grassroots communities.
Over the course of two days, 39 Christian, Muslim, and traditional religious leaders will deliberate on pressing matters such as social cohesion, tolerance, peace, and the rights of women and girls. El Hadj Moussa Bambara, Executive Director of URCB/SD, stated that the retreat aims to “strengthen the leaders’ capacities so that they can be vectors of messages of peace and responsible citizenship within their communities.”
Participants will become acquainted with an advocacy document and subsequently formulate a mini-action plan for its implementation. This document, rooted in African wisdom, the Quran, and the Bible, will act as a guide for promoting peace and combating violent extremism through various forms of religious and customary communication. Additionally, a WhatsApp group will be established to facilitate the sharing of best practices.
Leveraging the moral and spiritual influence of religious and traditional leaders, the retreat seeks to forge a unified stance against division and hate speech, reinforcing the principles of coexistence and peace in Burkina Faso.
