Monday 06 / May / 2024
As many as 4 million Muslims, such as these members of the Mouride brotherhood, participate in each year's Grand Magal, as the traditional journey is called.
Before the faithful can be allowed to enter the Great Mosque of Touba, members of the Mouride brotherhood sweep its floors. The Mouride are part of a Sufi branch of Islam. They are economically and socially influential in both Senegal and Gambia.
Outside the mosque, the faithful gather for two days of festivities, sometimes creating chaos in and around Touba.
The Grand Magal is an important for the economy in Senegal, a country of 18 million residents. High demand for transportation, food, cellphone cards and festive clothing often leads to trade volumes that balloon to as much as three times the normal monthly average.
Much food is traditionally given to pilgrims free of charge. This man from the Baye Fall sect of the Mouride brotherhood holds a bowl for collecting alms.
Devotional items, such as posters of religious personalities, are popular keepsakes from the Grand Magal. For those who cannot get close enough to hear the speakers, they can always stream it online.
The city of Touba, nearly a state within a state, enjoys special status in democratic Senegal. The sitting caliph — currently Serigne Mountakha Mbacke — lays down the law, based upon the Islamic concept of Sharia.
The Great Mosque of Touba is one of the largest mosques south of the Sahara, as well as the religious cornerstone of the city. The minaret, the emblem of the city, is more than 86 meters (282 feet) high, making it the tallest building in Touba.
The Great Mosque of Touba is one of the largest mosques south of the Sahara, as well as the religious cornerstone of the city. The minaret, the emblem of the city, is more than 86 meters (282 feet) high, making it the tallest building in Touba.
