Burkina Faso’s Traoré says Sharia law will never be adopted, urges students to pursue practical skills
Burkina Faso’s President, Ibrahim Traoré, has reportedly declared that Sharia law will never be implemented in Burkina Faso, insisting that the country will remain committed to protecting the religious freedom of all its citizens.
According to reports, Traoré questioned why hundreds of Burkinabè students studying in Saudi Arabia had chosen to study Sharia law instead of acquiring technical, vocational, or technological skills that could contribute directly to the country’s development.
He reportedly argued that Burkina Faso needs engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals, and skilled workers more than additional religious scholars, adding that every citizen remains free to practice his or her religion without interference.
The reports also claim that Traoré, who is a Muslim himself, turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia to build 200 mosques in Burkina Faso. Instead, he was said to have encouraged investment in schools, hospitals, industries, and businesses capable of creating jobs and improving the living standards of the Burkinabè people.
If confirmed, the remarks reflect Traoré’s continued emphasis on prioritising education, industrialisation, job creation, and national development over expanding religious infrastructure.
