Sunni Imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo was apprehended by security forces in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, just days after he publicly voiced opposition to a proposed law concerning religious freedoms. His arrest quickly escalated into a tense situation, sparking demonstrations across the Burkinabè capital.
Tense arrest in Ouagadougou
Sources close to Imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, along with the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB), confirm that he was taken into custody on Tuesday afternoon by masked police and military personnel. The operation, which occurred on the eve of the Muslim holiday of Eid, led to confrontations between security forces and worshippers present at the scene. Associates of the imam reported several injuries sustained during the apprehension. The exact location to which the religious leader was transported remains undisclosed.
Criticism of proposed legislation
Two days prior to his detention, an audio recording widely circulated across social media platforms captured the imam expressing strong disapproval of a legislative proposal. This bill, passed in March, aims to regulate the exercise of religious freedoms within Burkina Faso. In his sermon, Mohamad Ishaq Kindo issued a stern warning to authorities against any potential move to prohibit prayers in public spaces. He also urged the nation’s leaders to “further reflect on the implications of their actions before proceeding.”
COMMUNIQUÉ DE LA FAIB «La Fédération des associations islamiques du Burkina (FAIB) informe l’opinion publique nationale et l’ensemble des fidèles musulmans que l’Imam Dr Mohamed Ishaq KINDO a été interpellé cet après-midi du 26 mai 2026 dans des circonstances dont les motifs ne… pic.twitter.com/2i38IzbhPr
— Willy Sagbe (@WSagbe) May 26, 2026
Protest dispersed by security forces
Hours following the arrest, hundreds of individuals gathered in Ouagadougou, demanding the imam’s immediate release. Eyewitnesses reported that security forces dispersed the crowd using tear gas. In response to the escalating situation, the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina appealed to Muslim faithful for “calm, restraint, and serenity.”
