The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of religion and worship consistent with public order, social peace, and national unity. It provides for the separation of state and religion and prohibits religiously affiliated political parties. The government prohibits full-face veils in Diffa Region under state of emergency provisions to prevent concealment of bombs and weapons. The government also prohibits open-air, public proselytization events due to stated safety concerns. Police detained a civil society activist on August 27 in connection with a conversation posted on social media stating that members of the Islamic Council, a government-formed advisory body, had accepted bribes to move the Eid al-Adha celebration by a day. A judge released him without charge on September 11. The government created an Islamic Forum with the goal of standardizing the practice of Islam in the country and preventing the use of Islamic institutions to spread Islamic extremism.
Representatives of both Muslim and Christian communities reported good relations, including ongoing interactions through a Muslim-Christian forum. Sources, however, stated that the practice of observing each other’s religious holidays was decreasing and some Muslim groups were opposed to the forum.
The U.S. Ambassador and embassy representatives continued to advocate for religious freedom and tolerance through meetings with government leaders. Embassy representatives met with Muslim and Christian representatives and supported inter and intrafaith dialogues throughout the country. The embassy hosted events and organized outreach activities with religious and civil society leaders to promote religious tolerance and encourage interfaith dialogue, including several interfaith iftars.