Ouagadougou: The Peace in Faso Association for Interreligious Social Cohesion organized a national day of peace and social cohesion at Place de la Nation in Ouagadougou, under the theme "From Diversity to Unity, from Unity to Strength." The event gathered representatives from various religious denominations to collectively emphasize the necessity of peace and communal living.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event created an atmosphere of interfaith fraternity, with a unified call to promote peace. The initiative, led by the association "La Paix au Faso pour la Cohsion sociale interreligieuse," encouraged all communities to renew their commitment to fostering a culture of coexistence and urged their members to actively participate in these efforts.
Blessings from the Moogho Naaba, delivered by Naaba Djigemd of Kienfangu, set the tone for the event. He urged participants to return to their communities with a message of peace, emphasizing the importance of supporting the Head of State's efforts in building peace. Adama Compaor, president of the organizing association, highlighted the potential liberation of Burkina Faso through unity, stressing the country's diversity with its many ethnic groups and religious denominations.
Compaor further expressed the aspiration for families, regardless of religious differences, to live harmoniously. The association aims to establish a roundtable with all religious groups to work towards unity, especially as the president seeks to regulate religion in the nation.
El Hadj Amidou Birba, the event's patron, conveyed through El Hadj Yacouba Guigma that social cohesion requires daily effort through dialogue and mutual understanding. He called for reflection and mobilization, hoping Burkina Faso would continue to exemplify fraternity and solidarity across Africa and beyond.
The day's proceedings included panels led by religious leaders such as Sylvain Bourgou from the archdiocese of Ouagadougou, Pastor Timothe Kabor from the Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions (FEME), and religious leader Cheick Abdoul Aziz Aguib Sor.
Mariam Sanogo, representing Emile Zerbo, Minister of State, Minister of Territorial Administration and Mobility, commended the communities' efforts to find sustainable solutions for inclusive dialogue, underscoring the government's support for these initiatives.