Mouride

Mouride, or Murīdiyya, is one of the largest Sufi tariqas in West Africa, with a strong presence in Senegal and significant followings in The Gambia, Mauritania, and neighboring countries. It originated in the 1880s in Senegal through the teachings of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Khadé, who is revered as Serigne Touba. The term Mouride derives from murīd, the Arabic word for a seeker or devotee. Followers organize themselves around zawiyas, religious centers that serve as places of study, prayer, and community service, and are guided by a Khalifa, the hereditary spiritual leader.

Beliefs and practice: Mourides emphasize tawhid, the oneness of God, combined with practical piety. The path centers on Qur’anic study, regular prayers, and service to others through work and charitable endowments. A distinctive feature is the bai’a, a pledge of allegiance to a Murshid (teacher) who provides spiritual guidance. The movement promotes the dignity of labor as a religious duty and sustains extensive charitable networks, including waqf endowments that fund mosques, schools, and clinics. The Grand Magal of Touba is a major annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Touba, drawing thousands of mourners and visitors.

Organization and influence: The Mouride order operates a broad social and economic network in Senegal, notably in Touba and Dakar, through numerous zawiyas and affiliated enterprises. It wields considerable influence in public life and politics via organized networks and charitable activities, while maintaining strong internal discipline and a focus on communal solidarity.

Geography and reach: Mouride communities exist across The Gambia, Mauritania, and parts of neighbouring West Africa, as well as in diaspora communities in Europe and the Americas.