Magal de Touba 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.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.