Burkina Faso’s President Vows to Recall 800 Students on Sharia Scholarships, Prioritizes Engineering and Science
Captain Ibrahim Traoré was addressing religious extremists who believed their faith should come before loyalty to their homeland. He said that anyone who holds that view is free to leave Burkina Faso and live wherever they believe their religion takes precedence—but not in Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso’s President has expressed concern over the growing number of students traveling abroad to study Sharia, arguing that the country’s most urgent needs lie in technical and scientific fields.
Speaking on the issue, the President noted that Saudi Arabia has reportedly made extensive scholarship opportunities available for students pursuing Islamic studies. While acknowledging the value of such education, he questioned whether it aligns with Burkina Faso’s current development priorities.
“These people are going abroad to learn Sharia; they are not even making an effort to study engineering. Saudi Arabia has made massive scholarships available for such studies. We are happy, but will they return to teach Sharia? At this moment in our nation, we need engineers, architects, and scientists.”
The President added that he intends to engage directly with the Saudi embassy regarding the approximately 800 Burkinabè students studying abroad under these scholarships. He warned that those who refuse to return to the country could face the loss of their Burkinabè citizenship.
The remarks underscore the government’s emphasis on building a skilled workforce in engineering, architecture, science, and other sectors considered critical to the nation’s economic and infrastructural development.