Islam in Senegal is essentially brotherhood-based. The members of the Senegalese brotherhood of Mourides are known for their dynamism symbolized by their propensity for emigrating abroad and for... Show moreIslam in Senegal is essentially brotherhood-based. The members of the Senegalese brotherhood of Mourides are known for their dynamism symbolized by their propensity for emigrating abroad and for the colossal size of their capital, Touba. Reinforcing the brotherhood identity and relying on merchant networks, the Mouride diaspora Ð disseminated in all corners of the world Ð has developed highly original mechanisms for financial circulation between host countries and Senegal. Show less
A subject that has largely been overlooked until recently and whose implications for the various fields of Islamic studies are wide-ranging, is female mosque attendance and the corresponding... Show moreA subject that has largely been overlooked until recently and whose implications for the various fields of Islamic studies are wide-ranging, is female mosque attendance and the corresponding spatial organization that it entails. In Senegal the rise and influence of the Mouvement Islamique has granted women a place in the mosque formerly denied them by the turuq, the Sufi brotherhoods. Degrees of spatial marginalization, on the one hand, and appropriation, on the other, vary. Much of the current literature on Senegal maintains that the impact of Islamism is still relatively small. Although religious observance in Senegal is relatively strong and predominantly Sufi in its orientation, the recent infiltration of 'Wahhabi' ideas has given women greater access to public places of worship. Show less
If the Senegalese youth have, in majority, always manifested great fervour for their religion by strong involvement in turuq, it seems that today they are rather investing their energies in the new... Show moreIf the Senegalese youth have, in majority, always manifested great fervour for their religion by strong involvement in turuq, it seems that today they are rather investing their energies in the new Islamic movements that are specific branches of their original Sufi orders. While retaining close ties with and even reproducing the teachings of the latter, these movements address a specifically targeted audience - urban youth. Show less
It is not easy to say exactly when Islam first established itself in our region. On the other hand, one can be sure that this religion infiltrated progressively from the central valley of Senegal... Show moreIt is not easy to say exactly when Islam first established itself in our region. On the other hand, one can be sure that this religion infiltrated progressively from the central valley of Senegal or, to be precise, from the kingdom of Tkrour. To understand the influence of Islam in Senegambian societies, one must first trace its complete history from the conversion of War Jabi, the 11th century king of Tkrour, via the colonial conquests to the present day. Between these dates, social movements inspired by Islam took various forms according to the moment, the regions, and the ethnic groups, favouring always transactions between the influences and modifications provoked by Islam and the Senegambian cultures. Show less
