Burkina Faso’s President, Captain Ibrahim Traore, has reportedly turned down an offer from Saudi Arabia to fund the construction of 200 mosques in the country.
Instead, he urged the Saudi government to channel its resources into projects that would directly benefit the Burkinabe people, such as schools, hospitals, and job-creating businesses. Traore emphasized that Burkina Faso already has more than enough mosques, many of which are underutilized, and that the real need lies in initiatives that promote long-term development and self-reliance.
This decision has sparked significant discussion, especially in light of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing humanitarian efforts across Africa. For instance, at the start of Ramadan, the Kingdom donated 100 tons of dates to Nigeria, a gesture that was warmly received.
Many on social media have weighed in on the issue. One user, Prof. Lopez, questioned why the focus was on building mosques rather than investing in education and healthcare, which are crucial for national growth. Others praised Traore’s stance.
Saudi Arabia has long been involved in funding mosque construction across Africa, including in countries like Nigeria and Ghana.
Burkina Faso, a country of approximately 23 million people, has a Muslim-majority population.
According to reports from TVC News, the late Burkinabe revolutionary leader, Thomas Sankara, famously advocated for self-sufficiency, emphasizing the need for tools, machinery, and infrastructure to drive progress rather than mere handouts. Traore’s position aligns with this philosophy.