The 129th edition of the Grand Magal of Touba was a grandiose moment of religious fervor, which made all of Senegal vibrate over the last three days.
It is a new demonstration of force from the Mouride brotherhood founded by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké, with the record presence of more than 5 million pilgrims, who came to pray and meditate, in Touba.
It is this religious and spiritual dimension that it is important to highlight, first and foremost.
Because it shows the attachment of Senegalese Muslims to Sufi Islam, brotherhood, which advocates the cult of introspection, tolerance, peace, fraternity and the refusal of violence.
The Grand Magal, but also the Gamous of Tivaouane and all the Senegalese religious cities, including that of Touba, demonstrate, every year, the attachment of Muslims to this peaceful path of Islamic practice.
The deep establishment of the Mouride brotherhood in the diaspora also gives a particular relief to Magal, with the massive arrival of faithful from the four corners of the world.
By emphasizing this fundamental aspect of the annual event which celebrates the departure into exile of the founder of the Mouride brotherhood, and who will return, less than 8 years later, crowned with glory, for having stood up to the colonists and persisted in his path, rooted in Sufi Islam, we can measure the immense success of the approach.
And Touba, which has become the second city of Senegal, is a remarkable symbol.
The facts are stubborn: the settlers failed in their attempt to “block” Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba.
Those who have unspeakable hatred for the brotherhoods, and who have sought to tarnish the image of this year’s Magal, have also failed.
Acts of sabotage were committed (three women arrested, after cutting pipes to allow rainwater to evacuate) by vandals in petticoats, armed arms of jihadists who continue a fight doomed to failure, against the Senegalese brotherhoods .
As we can see, Senegalese Islam disturbs the terrorist extremists who are spreading across West Africa, particularly in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria.
The celebration of Magal was therefore a privileged moment for these crusaders of hatred to try to defy the authority of the State of Senegal and to splash the event with their criminal acts.
They failed.
Opponents who sought to manipulate public opinion, with caricatured hunger strikes, also bit the dust.
Some took advantage of the event to “justify” the end of their suicidal approach, suggesting that they “would have received an order to this effect”.
Question: had these people asked for the blessing of their marabout before starting the hunger strike?
Ridiculousness doesn’t kill, fortunately.
Attacking Brotherhood Islam in Senegal is a futile enterprise.
The settlers broke their teeth there.
It will be the same with terrorists and Touba will continue to shine brightly, like a beacon of Sufi Islam, in the world.
