Representatives of the major religions gathered from 24 to 26 October in Ouagadougu, the capital of Burkina Faso, for "La Paix est l'Avenir", the interreligious meeting of dialogue and prayer for peace in the Spirit of Assisi promoted by the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Taking up the themes discussed during the meeting in Antwerp, in the first two days the representatives of religions discussed on the importance of peace, reflecting around two themes: the economic and spiritual crisis and the living together in a globalised world.

In his speech, Father Jean-Baptiste Sanou, a professor of philosophy at the seminary of Saint Pierre Ouagadougou, stressed the urgent need to globalise dialogue, justice and solidarity, while imam Tiego Tiemtor, from the Islamic Research and Training Centre (CERFI), pointed out that Islam never justifies violence.

On 26 October, after praying according to different religious traditions, more than 1,500 people gathered at the municipal stadium in the capital for the final ceremony of the meeting. The various representatives of the great religions emphasized the importance and power of prayer, which can stop violence and wars in the world.

For Jacob Abbe Yod, Chancellor of Cardinal Philippe Ouedraogo, "Peace can not be achieved without the love and acceptance of the other in his diversity". Together with him, the representative of the Federation of the Islamic Associations of Burkina Faso (FAIB), imam Cheick Oumar Boni, who thanking the Community of Sant'Egidio said: "Living together is a virtue that we must grow".

In his closing speech, Charles Savadogo, of the Community of Sant'Egidio in Ouagadougu, recalled the commitment of the Community for Peace: "The elimination of the other in the name of God is an abomination. Sant'Egidio wants so to build together with religions a future of peace for our world, because war is a great folly".

At the end, the children gave a peace appeal to the representatives of religions, who signed it