Thousands of Muslim Pilgrims Flock to Touba
"Work on earth as if you will never die and obey the divine rules as if you were going to die immediately", taught 19th century Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké of Senegal who established the Islamic Mouride Brotherhood. Today hundreds of thousands of Muslims converge on Touba, the city of Islam founded by Sheikh Mbacké, to mark the 106th anniversary of his exile by the French colonial government.
Oumar Dieng, Panafrican News Agency (Dakar, Senegal), May 12, 2001 

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from Senegal and abroad have converged on the holy city of Touba, 200 km from Dakar, for the 106th commemoration of the departure of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké into exile.

The founder of the Mouride brotherhood was forced to go in exile in Gabon by colonial rulers on 20 September 1895.

Commonly known as "magal" (pay tribute, celebrate, magnify in the local African Wolof language), the annual religious gathering in Touba, which took place early Saturday, is considered as an occasion for thanksgiving to Allah the Almighty.

"Mouridism" may be defined as an aspiration to Allah the Almighty (Mouridoulahi) in accordance with the prophet's message.

In one of his numerous writings, 'Matlabul Fawzeyni' (the quest for happiness in both worlds), Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba describes the purpose of the city which he founded in 1887. In his concept, Touba should reconcile the spiritual and the temporal.

Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba intended to have the spiritual capital of his brotherhood showing all the characteristics of a Muslim city. The search for knowledge and economic prosperity, in accordance with Mouridism doctrine, are of utmost importance.

In his lifetime, the Sheikh recommended to his disciples "to work on earth as if they will never die and obey the divine rules as if they were going to die immediately".

Touba, which under normal circumstances has a population of one million, is now hosting close to three million pilgrims from all corners of Senegal and neighbouring countries, as well as immigrant workers based in Europe and America.

In the early years of independence, the holy city was a small town in the middle of a dense forest. Today it has all the facilities found in major cities -- banks, telecommunications, water, electricity and, of course, commercial activities.

A special power line was recently installed by the national electricity company to step up supply. Special arrangements were also made to ensure adequate water is available from the city taps.

Banks and institutions specialised in money transfers abound in the city which occupies a key position in the Senegalese economy, thanks to the Mouride followers' devotion to work.

Its impressive mosque, covered with marble, shelters the mausoleum of the spiritual guide, whose sermons, poems sang in the glory of God and the Prophet of Islam and his behaviour during his lifetime, are recited by his followers daily.

This place of worship, the most impressive of sub-Saharan Africa, cost billions of CFA francs. It is the symbol as well as the centre of gravity of the holy city. The great library which has thousands of religious, scientific and Arab grammar books, is visited by researchers from all over the world.

In addition to the hundreds of books and poems written by the Sheikh, the visitor will find books on various sectors such as jurisprudence, theology, Sufism and education in this major research centre.

Mouridism advocated and taught by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba is a set of religious practices and a code of conduct based on the teachings of the Prophet Mouhammad.

The problems the holy man had with the local authorities led to his arrest in August 1895.

After his trial by the private council in the office of the governor of French West Africa, he was exiled to Gabon on 20 September 1895 on board the ship 'Ville de Pernambouc'. He remained in spiritual retreat in the central African country for seven years and seven months.

The date of this deportation which, contrary to the colonisers' plans, enabled the Sheikh to have the time he needed to devote himself to his favourite passion: singing praises to the grace of God and his Prophet, is commemorated by the Mourides every year.

The Sheikh returned to his native land and his family in November 1902 on board the ship 'Ville de Maceo'.

Summoned once again to Saint Louis, Senegal, by the governor, he categorically refused to go there saying: "I am a captive of God and do not recognise any other authority but Him".

Another expedition was launched against the religious guide. He was again deported in June 1903 to Mauritania where he spent four years. On his return to Senegal, he was kept under house arrest in Diourbel (central Senegal) until his death.

The colonisers who had difficulty concealing their fear of the determination and extraordinary fascination that this non- violent, frail and peaceful man had on the population, ended up recognising his merit and even offered him a decoration which he declined.

Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, died in Diourbel in 1927 and was buried in Touba.

His holy city, where he had the privilege of residing only after his death, has become too small to receive millions of pilgrims every year.