The authorities of Burkina Faso have ordered this Sunday the release of nearly a hundred followers of the Sunni spiritual leader, Dr. Muhammad Ishaq, arrested last May after the unauthorized gatherings that took place following the detention of the religious leader.
According to the images spread on social media, the protesters have been able to reunite with their families after spending several months in prison. The videos, which show hugs and scenes of welcome, have been collected by the Burkinese media Burkina Yawana.
The arrests took place on May 26, 2026, and in the immediately following days, coinciding with the outbreak of spontaneous protests in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, shortly after the arrest of Dr. Muhammad Ishaq Kindo, Grand Spiritual Guide of the Sunni Movement of Burkina Faso (MSBF). These street gatherings, considered unauthorized, generated tensions and prompted the intervention of security forces to maintain public order.
The religious leader was arrested after openly criticizing on social media a bill aimed at regulating religious practice in public services.
The recent mass release has occurred after a mediation process between the Burkinese authorities and various Islamic organizations in the country. From the first hours following the arrest of the spiritual leader on May 26, the Sunni Movement of Burkina Faso (MSBF) and the Federation of Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB) issued an official statement to address the situation and call for calm among their followers.
In that message, the National Office of the MSBF urged young people to remain calm, act with moderation, and respect legal channels, rejecting any street demonstrations and advocating for direct dialogue with the authorities as a priority way to resolve the conflict.