In a bold move, the government of Rwanda has closed approximately 8,000 places of worship, including churches and mosques, citing safety and administrative concerns. President Paul Kagame, who was recently re-elected for a fourth term, has been vocal about his criticism of the excessive number of religious establishments in the country, accusing them of taking advantage of poverty.
The closures have sparked some mild protests, but most religious leaders are now focused on meeting the necessary regulations to bring their places of worship up to standard in hopes of reopening. This crackdown on churches and mosques has drawn both support and criticism from the population, with some seeing it as a necessary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of believers, while others view it as an infringement on religious freedom.
It is clear that the government of Rwanda is taking a firm stance on regulating the religious landscape in the country, and it remains to be seen how this will impact the relationship between the state and religious institutions moving forward. For now, religious leaders are left grappling with the task of meeting stringent regulations in order to resume their services and activities.
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