The annual ‘Magal de Touba’, dedicated to the founder of the Muslim brotherhood, Mouridee, Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, is slated for Saturday February 14, in the holy city of Touba, Senegal.

The annual event, which started half a century ago, brings together tens of thousands of worshippers from the Senegambia region and beyond, and has seen some kind of a regular patern of increase in participation. According to the organisers, marking of this day is an order from the founder of the brotherhood to his followers. The day is characterised by prayers and thanksgiving, alongside recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

The occasion does not only provide the worshipers with the opportunity to commemorate ‘Magal de Touba’, but it also offers them the chance to pay courtesy call on the calipha general of Mouridee, Serign Bara-Mbackeh, grandson of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba. Imam Mutala Jobe, the Imam in Serign Touba’s compound in Bakau, informed the Daily Observer, in an interview, shortly before his departure to Touba, that the Magal is a way of receiving Allah’s guidance.

According to him, the occasion is worth while for every Muslim, especially those followers of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba who he said had ordered them to observe the day. Imam Jobe took the opportunity to pray for all, especially for those worshippers on pilgrimage to the Holy City. Pa Malick Sinyan, a student of the University of The Gambia and a fervent follower of the Muslim brotherhood, told this reporter, shortly before leaving for the city of Touba, that as members they were bound to acknowledge the work done by the founder. He added that having gone there for once, one can hardly resist the urge to return.