Touba

Touba is a city in central Senegal, located in the Diourbel Region within the Mbacké Department. It is widely regarded as the spiritual heart of the Mouride Brotherhood, a Sufi order founded in the 19th century by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba. The city grew around the tombs and mosques associated with Bamba and other Mouride leaders, becoming a major religious and commercial center.

Key landmarks include the Grand Mosque of Touba and the Mausoleum of Amadou Bamba. The Grand Mosque is one of West Africa’s largest and serves as a central place of worship for Mourides. Touba hosts the Grand Magal, an annual pilgrimage that draws large crowds from Senegal and neighboring countries. The festival commemorates Bamba’s exile by colonial authorities and his subsequent return, reinforcing Touba’s role as a pilgrimage site and a center of religious education and activity.

Economically, Touba depends heavily on religious tourism, commerce, and services. The city is also known for its numerous religious schools, or daaras, which train thousands of students in Quranic studies and Mouride teachings. Demographically, the population is predominantly Muslim, with a strong Mouride presence and a steady influx of visitors during the Magal and other religious occasions.