In a bid to ensure sanity and safety in the practice of religion in Rwanda, the administration of President Paul Kagame has closed down over 4000 churches and purported places of worship for non-compliance.
The Rwandan authorities say these churches were shut for a number of reasons including health and safety issues, and lack of sound proof among others.
According to reports, not only churches were affected in this recent crackdown but some mosques were also affected.
The administration of President Paul Kagame is emboldened to undertake such an exercise following the passage of a law to check the rampant proliferation of places of worship that disregard health and safety issues five years ago.
In 2018, the administration closed about 700 churches and 1 mosque for not meeting the required standards. However, some were later reopened after meeting the mark following inspection.
The law aims to ensure that worshippers congregate and fellowship “in an organized way and in a safe environment as well outlawing their use of loud public address systems,” a BBC report explained.
Rwandan Minister for Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana in justification of the action also explained that “this is not being done to prevent people from praying but to ensure the safety and tranquillity of worshipers.”
A total of 4,223 places of worship have been closed down in the latest crackdown, with 427 of those being in caves and others operating in tents and river banks.
Meanwhile, critics of the Paul Kagame administration say the move is an attempt to stifle the citizens’ freedom of worship but the authorities say ensuring human safety at all places of worship is the ultimate aim.
