Senegal

Keywords: Sufi brotherhoods in Senegal

A fetish in the mosque? No Problem! In Senegal, is true of Islam as particularly tolerant. Dominated is he by the Sufi brotherhoods: Almost every believer has heard in the country of such a brotherhood.

“In Senegal, life is 95 percent Muslim, five percent Christian and 100% animist”. With this witticism to describe the Senegalese like the religion in your country. Indeed, the influences of animism, with many Muslims in the country today still have an important role: ancestor worship, rituals and good luck charms or amulets have Senegalese believers simply in their Religion are integrated.

Between Koranic school and the traditional medicine

Islam in Senegal is very different from the large Muslim currents in the countries of the Near and Middle East. Traditional Sufi mystics brotherhoods characterize the Faith in the West African country.

The most important brotherhoods are the Tijanes, the Mourides and the Khadiriya. Their religious leaders, the Marabuts, in the society of a significant role. These imams interpret Islam, to guide schools and pray for the believers. At the same time to consecrate, but also amulets and charms, also practice some of them traditional rites and healing. Tensions between Muslims and Christians in Senegal is much less common than conflicts between the different brotherhoods.

Influence on politics in Senegal

Although the majority of the population, a mixing of Religion and politics refuses to make the imams of the brotherhoods, their influence also in the politics of claims – however, Express the Marabuts in the rule, not public policy issues, but mixing from the Background with strong. The politicians is the Power of the religious leaders are only too aware of. They strive, therefore, to a good contact with the brotherhoods. Regularly travel to the respective presidents to Touba, the Holy city of the Mourides, to the Marabout of the brotherhood’s visit.

With the devout brotherhoods in Egypt connects the Senegalese Muslims little. On the contrary: Strict Muslims consider the Sufi Islam of Senegal is often called “ungelehrt”. Islamist groups try although, increasingly, also in Senegal, followers to find, but the Islam of the brotherhoods will continue as an important instance against radical tendencies.