Islamic preachers in Burkina Faso rally against social media hate

Islamic preachers in Burkina Faso rally against social media hate

Nationwide campaign for responsible religious discourse
Nearly 250 imams and Islamic preachers across Burkina Faso gathered over the weekend for a national workshop aimed at curbing the rise of hate speech on social media. The initiative comes as the country faces escalating extremist violence and increased online radicalization.

Organized by the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB), the two-day session focused on responsible digital communication and religious preaching. Participants received a new guide outlining ethical standards in public speaking, which explicitly prohibits using Islamic messages to incite instability, insult others, or promote violence.

New code of conduct for digital spaces
The federation emphasized the importance of digital awareness for religious leaders. “We encourage Muslim youth to use social media responsibly and are committed to strengthening the ongoing training of imams and preachers on digital issues and religious communication,” FAIB posted on Facebook following the event.

Failure to adhere to the updated guidelines may lead to serious consequences. According to RFI, preachers could face disciplinary action or even criminal penalties, including a ban of up to two years from delivering sermons.

Alarming rise in online hate and violence

The campaign follows an October incident in which a preacher was caught on video encouraging violence against members of a rival Muslim congregation. FAIB condemned the incident, calling it a dangerous deviation from religious principles.

Such rhetoric, especially when amplified on social media, poses a serious threat in a region already battling extremist groups. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the rapid growth of social media users in Africa has created a “double-edged sword” offering both opportunities for outreach and a powerful tool for extremists to spread their ideology.

The UNDP noted that emotionally charged content can easily radicalize vulnerable individuals by exploiting their frustrations and reinforcing grievances.

Burkina Faso at the epicenter of extremism
Burkina Faso has become one of the hardest-hit countries in the Sahel, with terrorist-related deaths rising 68 percent in recent years. UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed stated earlier this year that the Sahel accounts for more than half of all global terrorism deaths.

Burkina Faso now leads the world in fatalities linked to terrorism, making efforts like FAIB’s campaign critical to restoring peace and countering violent extremism through community engagement.

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