The holy city of Touba (200km north of Dakar) displays the frills of a real commercial city during the Magal, a religious event during which major companies relocate their operations to ensure good visibility among Muslim consumers from various backgrounds.
The Magal (tribute) is an event celebrated each year (18 lunar month of Safar) by thousands of Muslims of the Mouride Brotherhood in memory of the departure into exile in Gabon in 1895 of the Brotherhood’s founder Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba.
As millions of followers meet in the Islamic holy city, the government and its agencies take advantage of this event to renew the covenants that bind them to the religious leaders of the brotherhood, one of the biggest in Senegal.
Alongside the religious litanies immersed in “Kassaides” (Islamic chants), the national telephone, electricity, hydraulics companies and all major state agencies are mobilized to ensure a smooth pilgrimage to Touba which brings millions of Senegalese, some of which come annually from Europe and America, to celebrate the event.
The Magal also attracts pilgrims from neighbouring countries, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Mauritania where Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba has many disciples.
Religious fervour and profitable enthusiasm come close during this great meeting in Touba. Many farmers come to sell their livestock, while food-processing companies provide much of the basic commodities whose demand suddenly increases.
Banks and other money transfer agencies are also doing good business during the Magal, especially with the arrival of Mourides of the Diaspora.
All means of transport are good to rally to Touba : cars, motorcycles, trucks, buses, trains and horse and donkey carts for villages not far from the city. Whole flights filled with pilgrims landed at the Dakar airport in recent days, as the city is yet to get its own airfield.
In terms of media coverage, both state and private television and radio stations have moved their broadcast units to report live from Touba, which has become the second city of Senegal after Dakar.
Touba itself inaugurated its own television station few days ago, Touba TV.
Even though there are all sorts of facilities of a big city, it should be stressed that trade in alcoholic beverages and cigarettes, and all recreational activities are strictly forbidden in this strictly religious city.
Source African Press Agency
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