Kombissiri — On Thursday, October 26, 2023, the National Observatory of Religious Facts (ONAFAR) Burkina Faso organized a multi-faith information conference aimed at fostering a better understanding of religious texts on tolerance and coexistence. The event saw participation from representatives of various religious communities in the province of Bazèga.

According to a new release by Burkina Information Agency, Habibou Ouattara/Ouédraogo, the conference in Kombissiri is part of a broader series of multi-faith conferences that began in 2022 and will continue in ten provinces throughout Burkina Faso. The objective is to disseminate messages advocating tolerance and peaceful coexistence as reflected in holy scriptures.

Panelists from the Catholic Church, the Federation of Evangelical Churches and Missions (FEME), and the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina (FAIB) presented on the importance of practicing tolerance and living peacefully together, as recommended by their respective holy texts. According to these panelists, promoting a culture of tolerance and coexistence is crucial for creating a peaceful world, a principle they believe is divinely endorsed with the notion that “GOD himself invites us to love one another.”

Participants at the conference requested ONAFAR Burkina Faso to extend such activities to local communities in an effort to reach a broader segment of the population. Mrs. Téné Justine Kientega/Ilboudo, the High Commissioner of the Bazèga province who chaired the conference, expressed appreciation for ONAFAR’s initiative, highlighting its potential in countering radicalism and extremism in Burkina Faso.

Community representatives in attendance were encouraged to share the information and insights gained at the conference with their respective congregations.