Ganzourgou: From April 18 to 20, 2025, around thirty religious leaders, imams, and preachers from Zorgho received training on social cohesion, living together, and human rights. This training, held in the village hall of Zorgho town hall, is part of the 'DJAMA BEOG NEERE' project, led by the Circle for Islamic Studies, Research, and Training (CERFI), with technical and financial support from the Union of Religious and Customary People of Burkina Faso for the Promotion of Health and Development (URCB/SD).
According to Burkina Information Agency, faced with the security and social challenges that undermine community life, CERFI, as part of the DJAMA BEOG NEERE project, brought together religious leaders, imams, and preachers in Zorgho to strengthen their capacities in social cohesion and the promotion of peace according to the precepts of Islam.
The opening ceremony, presided over by the provincial High Commissioner, Aminata Sorgho/Gouba, began with a spiritual reading from the Holy Quran. Valentin Badolo, President of the Zorgho Special Delegation (PDS), took the opportunity to express his gratitude to CERFI and praise a project that, for him, is timely in the face of persistent insecurity and a humanitarian crisis that are shaking the social fabric. While emphasizing that "training and awareness-raising are powerful means for regaining the values ??of solidarity, respect, and peace," he encouraged religious leaders to become ambassadors of peace in their communities.
CERFI's First Vice-President and project coordinator, Kadr© Sawadogo, recalled that DJAMA BEOG NEERE, which means "a better future for all," spans 32 months and covers 15 municipalities in 12 regions of Burkina Faso. According to him, the Zorgho workshop is part of a deep commitment to addressing security and humanitarian challenges through the Islamic faith, which fosters peace, tolerance, and solidarity.
During the workshop, participants explored current issues such as combating hate speech, preventing violent extremism, human rights, and mechanisms for strengthening social cohesion. The participatory approach adopted enabled genuine ownership of the content and the definition of concrete actions to be implemented in mosques and within communities.
Ms. Sorgho/Gouba welcomed this initiative, which she considered an educational and civic response to the current crisis. According to her, the enemy is trying to fracture our society by exploiting religious and ethnic differences. She called for a response through unity, solidarity, and education. She congratulated the imams, preachers, and guides present for their crucial role in building peace.
Voices were also raised among the participants. Issouf Kabor© insisted on the need to harmonize sermons with Islam's precepts of peace, regretting some overly virulent speeches in mosques. Hafsa Maga, for her part, pledged to relay the teachings received to those around her, convinced that change also involves women and young people. Dicko Moussa, representative of the DPEPPNF of Ganzourgou, praised a project that extends the educational efforts already undertaken on the ground.
At the end of the training, the preachers will be connected to each other and the project's focal point in Zorgho to monitor the messages disseminated in places of worship.
Through DJAMA BEOG NEERE, CERFI reaffirms its role as a major player in social dialogue in Burkina Faso, convinced that lasting peace is built first in hearts, through faith, listening, and fraternity.