U.S.
Department of State Human Rights Report 1998
The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and there are no
known impediments to religious expression. No faith is favored officially.
The Government permits the open practice of religion, and there are
no restrictions on religious ceremonies or teaching.
According to a 1988 census, only about 25 percent of citizens were
Muslim, about 23 percent were animist, and 31 percent were Christian;
13 percent practiced no religion. However, Muslims make up a substantially
larger proportion of the total population including noncitizens. Nevertheless,
some Muslims feel that their religious or ethnic affiliation makes
them targets of discrimination by the Government with regard to both
employment and the renewal of national identity cards (see Section
5). During the year, the Catholic Church began to operate community
radio stations, but Muslims' efforts to gain authorization to operate
similar stations have been unsuccessful (see Section 2.a.).
Source: Country Reports
on Human Rights Practices for 1998, U.S. Department of State.
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