Touba, July 30, 2026 — With the Grand Magal of Touba just around the corner, set for this Sunday, August 2, 2026, the President of the National Assembly, Ousmane Sonko, paid a courtesy call to the holy city of Touba. He was received by the Grand Khalife of the Mouride Brotherhood, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, in an atmosphere steeped in reverence and spirituality.
Honoring a spiritual legacy
During the meeting, Sonko extended his respectful greetings to the religious leader while reaffirming his deep admiration. He took the opportunity to extol the spiritual and historical significance of the Grand Magal of Touba, a cornerstone event for the Mouride community. This annual celebration commemorates the exile of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, the founder of the Mouride order, and embodies timeless values such as faith, resilience, hard work, and peace.
Sonko emphasized the enduring impact of this spiritual heritage, which continues to inspire millions of devotees across Senegal and beyond. He also highlighted Touba’s pivotal role as both a religious and social hub, fostering national stability and cohesion.
Unity and peace at the forefront
In his response, the Grand Khalife renewed his call for peace, national unity, and the preservation of social cohesion. Against a backdrop of widespread challenges, he urged Senegalese citizens to unite around the values of solidarity and brotherhood.
Serigne Mountakha Mbacké also offered prayers for Sonko and the entire Senegalese people, invoking blessings of peace, prosperity, and stability for the nation.
A tradition of dialogue
This visit reflects the longstanding republican tradition of dialogue and mutual respect between political and religious authorities, particularly during major spiritual gatherings like the Grand Magal of Touba.
