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Muslims Whose Holiest City Is Not Mecca
Millions honor the most respected person of Senegal in Touba
Dakar, the capital, is probably better known in Senegal for an outsider than Touba. However, Touba is the holiest place in the country where you have to be clear with the rules. To approach the tomb of Ahmadou Bamba, visitors must cover their arms, legs, and women their hair as well with a scarf. It is the only city where alcohol consumption and smoking are banned all year round. The tomb is inside the Grand Mosque of Touba, one of the biggest in Africa, that attracts millions of pilgrims during the biggest festival of Senegal, the Grand Magal.
Fraternity, marabout, gris-gris
95% of Senegal’s population is Muslim. However, this Islam is closer to the mystical Sufi branch interwoven with spiritual customs and practices.
40% of all Muslims in the country are followers of the Murid Brotherhood, founded in 1883 by Ahmadou Bamba. It is not the largest brotherhood but the most affluent and the most organized that has a large impact on Senegalese culture.
Touba, unlike other cities, is governed by the Murid order and not by the state government.
Despite being Muslims, members of the Mourid Brotherhood consider Touba more important than…
