Senegal’s Grand Magal Pilgrimage Holds Despite Covid-19

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:21 am

An Annual Religious Celebration

Tens of thousands of Muslims gathered at Senegal’s holy city of Touba on Monday, for the annual Grand Magal- a pilgrimage which honours the founder of the Mouride Brotherhood, Senegal’s most influential religious order, and that attracts worshippers both from around the country and abroad.

The event raises concerns in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as previous years have seen as many as 3 million people journey to Touba for the religious gathering -with many coming from neighbouring Gambia.

A Smaller Scale Event?

Ousman Badgie, a forty-year-old Dakar resident of Dakar, shares his thoughts on the sanctuary measures put in place, “Related to Covid, I saw a good number of people following the measures (to avoid Covid) as the Caliph (leader of the Mouride brotherhood) asked. They are wearing the mask, respecting the rules, social distancing, using hand sanitiser that is provided at the entrance of the mosque. I think the measures are good.

Although large crowds already began swelling in the streets by Sunday afternoon, far fewer pilgrims are expected for the main celebration on Tuesday as Senegal’s land borders are still closed.