The Islamic League for Peace (LIP) and the Catholic community organized a collective breaking of the fast, Wednesday April 5, 2023, at the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou.
The courtyard of the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou was stormed by Christians and Muslims who came to break Lent and fasting together respectively, on Wednesday April 5, 2023 at the start of the evening (6 p.m.). This initiative, 3rd of its kind of the Islamic League for Peace (LIP) and Catholics of the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, according to its initiators aims to promote living together and social cohesion. Since February 22, 2023, Catholics have started Lent which lasts 40 days and will end on Sunday April 9 with the feast of Easter. The Muslims, in turn, began the observance of the fast on March 23, which constitutes the 4th pillar of Islam. “We have been coming with the Cardinal for three years to break the fast.
Last year and this year, God caused Catholics and Muslims to fast. So breaking the fast once more is showing everyone that Catholics and Muslims are brothers and we all worship the same God,” said LIP President Ousséni Tapsoba. According to Cardinal Philippe Ouédraogo, it is a gift from the Lord that people can get along and live together. For the 3rd year, with the LIP, by mutual agreement, Catholics and Muslims break the fast together and for the Cardinal, it is a signal from God and he is the God of all. “We are in a country in search of reconciliation, justice and peace. Such a gesture is a strong signal to say that we are one, the grains of the same basket.
So we have something to contribute for social peace, reconciliation and justice in this country. We salute this initiative of the league and taken on by the Catholic community,” said the Cardinal. For him, this gesture might inspire other Burkinabè in favor of peace. On behalf of the government, the minister in charge of territorial administration, Boukaré Zoun-grana, congratulated the Catholic faithful, through the Archdiocese of Ouagadougou. In his opinion, this is an important, capital event, a strong sign of social cohesion, of understanding between religions. “I congratulate both parties for this initiative which is in its third edition and say that through the sign given by this event, that we can believe as executives, that our prayers will be heard and will contribute inexorably to peace will return to our country”, wished the minister. Moreover, on behalf of the government, he asked to continue to pray during this time of penance, this blessed month of Ramadan, so that their prayers can unite the people of Burkina Faso so that 2023 is a decisive year so that we do not speak no more terrorism in the land of upright men.
Abdel Aziz NABALOUM
Drissa KOALA (Student)
