KIGALI, Rwanda – Rwandan authorities have closed more than 4,000 churches and mosques over the past month for failing to comply with health and safety regulations. The closures primarily affect small Pentecostal churches and some mosques, including those operating in caves or near rivers.
Minister of Local Government Jean Claude Musabyimana told state media, “This is not being done to prevent people from praying but to ensure the safety and tranquillity of worshipers.”
The crackdown follows a 2018 law regulating places of worship, which requires safe and organized operation, proper soundproofing, restriction on loud public address systems, and theological training for preachers.
Usta Kayitesi, chief of the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), stated, “The government has taken a stance against proliferation in the houses of worship. We still see cases of dilapidated [structures] and unhygienic conditions.”
Local urban authorities, in partnership with the RGB, are carrying out the ongoing operation. Officials report that 4,223 places of worship have been closed so far, with 427 of those located in caves.
The government maintains that churches have had five years to comply with the regulations. Some closed churches operated in tents, which authorities say exposed worshippers to risks.
Rwanda, a predominantly Christian country, has seen a rapid growth of Pentecostal churches in recent years, mirroring trends across Africa. While some of these churches attract thousands of worshippers, others are small structures built without proper planning permission.
The 2018 law initially resulted in the closure of about 700 churches. At that time, President Paul Kagame, who recently won a fourth term in office, stated that Rwanda did not need numerous houses of worship, suggesting that such a high number was more suitable for more developed economies.
This latest crackdown represents the most significant enforcement of the law since its implementation five years ago.
bbc.com
