• Founder: Ahmad Bamba, a Sufi saint and the founder of the Mouride brotherhood, founded the mosque in 1887.
• Construction and completion: Construction was slow and spanned several decades, with the building inaugurated in 1963.
• Architecture: The mosque features five minarets and three large domes. Its most famous minaret, known as the Lamp Fall, stands 96 meters high. The structure’s interior and exterior utilize materials like marble from Italy.
• Religious importance: The Great Mosque houses the tomb of its founder, Ahmad Bamba, making it a major pilgrimage site.
• Annual pilgrimage: The city of Touba hosts an annual pilgrimage called the Grand Magal, during which millions of Mouride followers visit the mosque.

The Mouride philosophy, founded by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba,

is a Senegalese Sufi movement centered on four fundamental principles: faith in God, imitation of the Prophet Muhammad, study of the Quran, and love of work. It advocates for the integral development of the individual (material, moral, and spiritual), economic independence, and community mutual aid. Work is considered an act of devotion and a source of personal and social development, while also being associated with the pursuit of knowledge and contribution to the community.

Key principles

Faith and spirituality: Adherence to faith in God, imitation of the Prophet, and study of the Quran.

Work: Work is a pillar of Mouridism, considered a religious duty and a path to economic autonomy, personal development, and helping others.

Integral development: The philosophy aims at the complete fulfillment of the human being, balancing the material, moral, and spiritual dimensions.

Economic independence: It is crucial for the faithful to be economically independent in order to preserve their freedom of faith and be able to provide for themselves, help their loved ones, and contribute to society.

Mutual aid and service: Mourides are encouraged to help one another and devote time to serving the community.

Practical manifestations

Work: This translates into investment in various areas, whether economic activities, research, or other endeavors.