Benin Republic Relaxes Ban On Muslim Street Prayers 

Authorities in Benin have backed down from plans to ban Muslims from praying in the street, after reaching a compromise with religious leaders.

Interior Minister Sacca Lafia said that street prayers would be tolerated on Fridays until more mosques are built, but they have to be quick.
 
President Patrice Talon agreed that the state would provide financial support for building more mosques.

The problem arises mostly on Friday afternoons when Muslims go to the mosque for prayers.
 
Hundreds of unrolled mats on pavements and streets outside overflowing mosques create massive traffic jams.
 
Muslim MPs and religious leaders have maintained that the ban on street prayers would discriminate against their community. 

Mr Talon however says the move is not anti-Muslim, but part of a plan to clean up cities and boost Benin's economic development.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS