It is a communications operation doubled with a strong symbolism. Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Fayeis a president of the Republic not like the others. His status of «talibé» takes precedence over his function. This is what he wanted to show yesterday in Touba on his first official visit.

The symbolism was taken to extremes. The President of the Republic, who made his first official visit to Touba, chose to behave like a good mouride. And this was not to be disliked. On the contrary, his remarkably well-prepared gesture had the desired effect. Many people praised the politeness of the President of the Republic, who preferred to walk barefoot in the home of the Khalifa General of the Mourides.

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Accompanied by a hand-picked « light » delegation, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye wants to project the image of a President who is accessible and very familiar with the cultural realities of the country. This contrasts with the episode when his predecessor Macky Sall was advised by traditional communicator Abdou-laye Mbaye Pekh to take off his shoes to enter the Grand Mosque of Touba, and stood out for his categoric and firm refusal.

Decidedly, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye is not that kind of head of state. However, he has taken on the role of politician. To travel to Touba, the Head of State preferred to be accompanied by El Malick Ndiaye, the General Secretary for Communication of Pastef, Cheikh Thioro Mbacké, MP for Touba and Mary Teuw Niane. A small committee of considerable significance. Indeed, by choosing this format, the President of the Republic is being introduced by his men, who are in the area, while respecting the order given in the past by the Khalifa not to organise any more political demonstrations in the holy city. Even the tenant of the Palace is no exception to the rule. Serigne Mountakha Mbacké offered Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye a copy of the Koran and a prayer mat. The uproar caused by Ousmane Sonko’s visit to Mbacké now seems to be behind him. As a good communicator, the President of the Republic raised the perennial issues of water supply and sanitation in the religious city. Like his predecessors, he promised to remedy the situation.

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Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye especially praised the desire of the Khalifa General of the Murids to make Touba a land of learning with the construction of the university. The string of promises also includes development projects.

This visit puts an end to the many criticisms that have portrayed the new regime as people who have no consideration for religious leaders. The Head of State praised the work of religious leaders at the end of the Korité prayer last Wednesday.

Diomaye Faye’s visit to Touba, where he received a copy of the Holy Koran and a prayer mat from the Khalifa, is the first in a long series of visits that will take the Head of State to all the country’s religious cities.

After taking leave of his guest in Touba, President Faye went on to Tivaouane, the capital of the Tidianya, on his way home. Here, after a tête-à-tête with the Khalifa General of the Tidianes, Serigne Babacar Sy Mansour, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye also went barefoot to the Zawiya Seydi El Hadj Malick Sy and the mausoleum of Serigne Babacar Sy, Maodo’s first khalifa, where he paid his respects.

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Praying for President Faye, the Khalifa General of the Tidianes presented his guest with a copy of the Holy Koran and a prayer mat, all from the Holy Places of Islam.

In addition to these gifts, Bassirou Diomaye Faye received a compilation of poems by Seydi El Hadj Malick Sy.

Prayers and advice from Serigne Mountakha

After listening to the Head of State, the Khalifa General of the Mourides prayed for his guest of the day. Through his spokesman, Serigne Bassirou Mbacké Abdou Khadre, the Khalifa, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké, said he was praying for the success of President Faye’s mission and that the expectations and hopes placed in him would not be disappointed. Not without giving him advice on his governance. The spokesman for the Khalifa also recalled the recommendations made at the time by Serigne Abdou Lahad Mbacké, 3rd Khalifa General of the Mourides, to President Abdou Diouf, and those of Serigne Sidy Mokhtar Mbacké, 7th Khalifa of Bamba, to President Macky Sall.

By Malick GAYE / mgaye@lequotidien.sn

  • Translation by Ndey T. SOSSEH