In Benin, a law from 1990 designated 12
national celebrations as legal holidays. According to Article 2 of this law,
“Legal holidays are days off with pay.” Among these are three Muslim
holidays: the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday, Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), and Eid al-Fitr (the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan).
Additionally, six of the 12 holidays are Christian: August 15 (Assumption),
November 1 (All Saints’ Day), December 25 (Christmas), Ascension Day, Easter
Monday, and Pentecost Monday, which are also days off with pay.
Inspired by these two Christian holidays
that follow Sunday celebrations, lawmakers Taïrou Imorou and Souley Moucoure
Boko of the opposition party Les Démocrates introduced a bill in early July.
They argue that Muslim holidays and the traditional religious days—established
as a holiday in 1997—sometimes fall on Sundays, which are already non-working
days. This was the case this year with Eid al-Adha, celebrated on Sunday, June
16.
To ensure these holidays are not
“lost,” the lawmakers propose that “when the traditional
religions festival fall on a Sunday, the following Monday should be a public
holiday with pay.” This would mirror the practice for Easter and
Pentecost, extending the holiday to the next day.
A divided opinion
What do the people of Benin think of this
parliamentary initiative? Opinions are mixed. Dimitrov Todemin, a young
Catholic, opposed the proposal, seeing it as “jealousy towards
Christians.” Débora Hounkpè shared this view but added, “Benin has
been a laboratory for many innovations; if this contributes to social balance,
so be it.” However, she worried that “we might end up complaining
about too many days off.”
Bonaventure Agbon, a newspaper publisher,
questioned whether lawmakers should focus on increasing holidays or rather on
reducing or balancing them. On the other hand, Cosme Hindémè, a Fa priest—a
divinatory practice in West Africa—welcomed the bill as “justice,”
arguing that as a secular state, Benin should treat all religions equally and
correct the perceived injustice against other religions.
Dated July 2 and recorded at the National
Assembly’s secretariat on July 4, the proposal is expected to be scheduled soon
for review and voting in a plenary session after examination by the laws, administration,
and human rights committee.
Christianity is the predominant religion in
Benin, with significant Muslim and traditional faith communities. According to
the latest 2020 estimates, Benin’s population is composed of 52.2% Christians,
24.6% Muslims, 17.9% traditionalists, and 5.3% practicing other faiths or
having no religious affiliation.
