Ouagadougou: The Association for Religious Tolerance and Intercommunity Dialogue (ATR/DI) has called upon the people of Burkina Faso to cultivate the values of balance and harmony, as the world marks the 28th International Day for Tolerance (IDT). Burkinabe, both individually and collectively, are encouraged to recognize the significance of the number 28, which symbolizes balance, harmony, service to others, empathy, adaptability, and the importance of faith in life.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the commemoration takes place amidst a global backdrop dominated by conflicts in Gaza, Palestine, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, and Ukraine, alongside persistent violent extremism in West and Central Africa. Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has managed to maintain less conflictual intercommunity relations over the past year. However, there have been instances of tense intra- and inter-religious exchanges, with some religious figures making unfriendly remarks that have caused public debates and discontent a
mong traditional religion practitioners.
Recent initiatives by the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) and the Muslim Community of Burkina Faso (CMBF) aim to foster a more peaceful practice of Islam and encourage listening to Islamic discourse. These steps are seen as crucial in a world where tolerance is essential yet needs further strengthening. The current international climate poses risks of large-scale conflicts, highlighting the importance of tolerance.
UNESCO, of which Burkina Faso is a member, has issued recommendations to combat intolerance. These include reinforcing human rights legislation, prohibiting and punishing hate crimes, and using educational channels to raise awareness among young people and adults. UNESCO emphasizes that intolerance often stems from ignorance and fear of the unknown or an exaggerated sense of one’s value. Individual awareness is crucial to preventing sectarianism, stereotypes, stigmatization, and ethnic or racist jokes, which are manifestations of intol
erance.
ATR/DI stresses that Burkinabe must embrace the values associated with the number 28 to consolidate their political community and pass these values on to future generations. The call for tolerance is vital in promoting peace and understanding in a world where intolerance threatens societal harmony.