Touba has grown to become Senegal’s second-larges city. Photo Credit: AFP/GETTY
At least 16 people have been killed and hundreds of others injured in accidents in Senegal over recent days as pilgrims headed to a major Sufi Muslim religious gathering, firefighters have told AFP news agency.
Millions of people were making their journey home from the town of Touba in central Senegal on Sunday, a day after the so-called Magal ceremony – the high point of the annual pilgrimage.
The Mourides’ holy city of Touba, founded by Ahmadou Bamba Mbacke in 1888, has grown to be Senegal’s second-largest after Dakar, with 1.5m inhabitants.
Multiple road accidents left 16 dead and 572 wounded as people made their way to Touba, said spokesman Moussa Niang.
In a separate incident, a child drowned in Touba, some 200km (125 miles) east of the capital Dakar, Niang said.
The Mourides are one of four important Sufi brotherhoods followed by most Senegalese Muslims, who overwhelmingly practise a moderate version of Islam while following the teachings of local spiritual guides.
The late 19th Century Cheikh Bamba is considered to be their highest moral authority.
He was exiled and later allowed to return by the former French rulers for his alleged support for anti-colonial movements.
Source: BBC
