La Khoutba Entre discours Religieux et Discours Politique au Cameroun

Abstract

Abstract : This research explores the khoutba, the Friday sermon delivered in mosques, as a discursive phenomenon at the intersection of religion and politics in Cameroon. In this officially secular country, where religious practices are deeply embedded in social life—particularly in the predominantly Muslim northern regions—the khoutba functions not only as a spiritual and moral guide, but also increasingly as a platform for civic and sometimes political expression. While the sermon is ideally a liturgical act transmitting Islamic teachings, contemporary sociopolitical dynamics in African societies lead some imams to address issues beyond the strictly religious sphere, such as governance, corruption, elections, or community tensions.

Using an interdisciplinary approach that combines discourse analysis, sociology of religion, and Islamic studies, this thesis investigates how Muslim religious discourse is being reshaped in the African postcolonial context. The research is based on an extensive literature review, semi-structured interviews with imams and worshippers, and a corpus of khoutbas collected from both urban and rural mosques in northern Cameroon. The first section explores the ritual and normative dimensions of the khoutba as a structured religious practice. The second section focuses on discursive shifts toward the political realm, analyzing their content, contexts, and how they are perceived by religious audiences.

Findings show that the khoutba is increasingly being used as a tool for social regulation and public speech. While some worshippers view it as a space for moral awareness and civic education, others criticize the politicization of religious discourse. This duality raises questions about the role of imams in the public sphere, the boundaries of religious engagement, and the relationship between the sacred and political authority in the Cameroonian context. The study sheds light on the evolving nature of Islamic leadership in Africa and on the tensions that characterize contemporary Islam in the face of political challenges.

Keywords: khoutba, Islam, religious discourse, politics, Cameroon