By Djinda Kane

The Senegalese community in Columbus, Ohio celebrated the Magal of Touba on Sunday, September 26, 2021, which is the equivalent of 18th Safar in the Muslim calendar.

The celebration on the Eastside of Columbus, joined other people of the Mourides tribe in the Senegalese city of Touba and others living in different parts of the world.

Magal is a Wolof word for celebration, and it celebrates the success of Serigne Touba over the French colonists.

Every year the community gathered to celebrate the life and work of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke, also named Khadimou Rassoul “the Prophet servant” or Serigne Touba.

The Cheikh built the city of Touba to have a space where he could worship Allah the right way without interference from the French colonists.  He was born in Senegal in 1853 and passed away in 1928.

The Senegalese association in Columbus, Dayira Mafatikhoul Bichri Touba Columbus ensures that the event is celebrated yearly in the city.

Part of activities for the day include Quran recitation, khassaides recitation which are Serigne Bamba poems to God and his messenger Mohamed.