VZCZCXRO9735
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOU #0833 2671735
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231735Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4150
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000833 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SCUL KIRF KISL UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO:  INTERFAITH IFTAAR PROMOTES RELIGIOUS 
TOLERANCE 
 
¶1. Summary: On September 18, the Ambassador hosted an inter-faith 
Iftaar dinner for 24 Muslim and Christian leaders in Ouagadougou. 
Guests were pleased that inter-faith dialogue was being promoted, 
commented on the usefulness of the event, and encouraged similar 
activities in the future.  Guests stressed that there is a high 
degree of religious tolerance in Burkina Faso.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. The Ambassador's September 18 interfaith Iftaar was one of 
several outreach events that Embassy Ouagadougou has completed for 
the Ramadan season.  Iftaar participants included local Imams, 
leaders of Muslim associations, and priests and pastors from local 
churches.  Following remarks from the Ambassador, several leaders 
thanked the Ambassador for her initiative to host the event and 
asked that she host similar activities in the future.  Muslim 
leaders commented on their own continuing efforts to foster dialogue 
among religious groups to maintain social unity in Burkina Faso, and 
on how well this kind of interfaith outreach works for a religiously 
integrated nation like Burkina Faso. 
 
¶3. Overall, the Iftaar was a success and advanced the Embassy's 
goals of promoting mutual understanding and religious freedom. 
Participants were both surprised and pleased that different 
religious groups were brought together for a meal honoring the end 
of a day of fasting by Muslims.  Following lively discussions around 
the dinner table, Embassy staff distributed informational materials 
about Muslims and religious life in America. 
 
¶4. Guests agreed that religion in Burkina Faso is not defined by 
class, region, or ethnic group and that devout Muslims, Catholics, 
and Protestants co-exist in the same family, causing few disputes, 
and each group, more or less, respects the others' beliefs. 
Furthermore, the guests stressed that religion does not interfere 
with business or government affairs and is not used as a tool for 
discrimination. 
 
¶5. COMMENT:  Religious tolerance is strong in Burkina Faso, due to 
the country's history and social structure.  Nonetheless, it remains 
important to strengthen this culture of tolerance, so that 
extremists will not be able to gain a foothold.  Events such as this 
interfaith Iftaar are a good way of bringing together key religious 
leaders who play an important role in forming public opinion in this 
country. 
 
JACKSON