Islam in Senegal
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{{Islam by country}}
'''Islam''' is the predominant religion in '''Senegal'''. Ninety-four percent of the country's population is estimated to be Muslim.<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html#People Senegal]. ''[[CIA World Factbook]]''. January 10, 2005.</ref> Most Muslims' in Senegal are members of one of the Sufi brotherhoods. Islam has existed in Senegal for more than a millennium. The first ethnic groups to convert to Islam were the Toucouleur kingdoms during the 11th century CE, and by the beginning of the 20th century CE most of Senegal was Islamic.
The way Islam is practiced in Senegal is significantly different from most other Islamic countries. Islam in Senegal is partially derived from mystical Sufi traditions. In Senegal, Islamic practice takes the form of membership of religious brotherhoods that are dedicated to their marabouts (the founders or current spiritual leaders).
== History ==
[[Image:Mouride Mural DSCN1065.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Mural]] in [[Dakar]] showing famous religious leaders of the past, including [[Amadou Bamba]] (in white), [[Ibra Fall]] (in blue), and [[Malick Sy]] (left).]]
[[Islam]] may have entered the area of present day [[Senegal]] as early as the 11th century CE with the conversion of several of the [[Toucouleur]] kingdoms, although it only took hold with the [[Religious conversion|conversion]] of the leader ([[Damel]]) of the kingdom of [[Cayor]], [[Lat Dyor Diop (Lat Dior)|Lat Dyor Diop]] around 1861 CE. He converted to Islam and established a union with other [[Wolof]] and [[Fulani]] states to resist the [[French colonial empire|French colonization]].
Instrumental in his conversion was the leader ([[Almamy]]) of the kingdom of [[Saloum]], [[Maba Diakhou Bâ]]. As well as converting traditional states to Islam, Bâ's forces sought to abolish the traditional caste system of the [[Wolof]] and [[Serer]] aristocratic states. In unifying with other [[Muslim]] forces, the [[West African]] [[History of West Africa#Jihad and colonization|jihad states]] aimed to end the reign of small regional [[Monarchy|kingships]], which kept the area in a constant state of war and the lower classes in slave conditions. The [[Toucouleur Empire]] of [[El Hadj Umar Tall]] in [[Mali]], which rose at about the same time, had much the same goals, and Umar Tall himself was in contact with and recruited among Maba Diakhou Bâ's forces<ref>Bradford G. Martin. ''Muslim Brotherhoods in Nineteenth-Century Africa''. Cambridge (2003), ISBN 0521534518 p.78</ref>.
At the end of the 19th century CE, Senegalese [[Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal|Muslim brotherhoods]] such as the [[Tijani]] and [[Muridiyyah]] fought against [[France|French]] and [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Scramble for Africa|colonization]]. Eventually the resistance ended when prominent religious leaders like [[Malick Sy]] and [[Amadou Bamba]] decided to cooperate with the French in exchange for religious independence. The French colonists established a [[secular]] [[French West Africa|state]] and [[post-colonial]] Senegal has remained secular up to this day. In practice, however, the Muslim brotherhoods have substantial influence on politics in modern-day Senegal.
{{further|[[History of Senegal]] and [[History of Islam]]}}
== Schools of thought ==
Senegalese [[Muslims]] are overwhelmingly members of one of the [[Sufism|Sufi]] [[Tariqah|brotherhoods]]. The two largest orders are the [[Tijaniyyah]] and the [[Muridiyyah]], although the [[pan-Islamic]] [[Qadiriyyah]] and the smaller [[Layene]] sect are also represented in parts of the country. Individuals become a member of one these groups either through their [[parentage]] or by adherence to their preferred [[marabout]].
The [[Tijani]] brotherhood originates in North Africa but is now more widespread in West Africa, particularly in Senegal, [[Mauritania]] and [[Mali]]. The [[Mouride]] brotherhood is based in [[Touba, Senegal|Touba]], a state within a state in which there is no governor, no administration, and no police force. The ''[[de facto]]'' leader of the city is the [[Mouride#Leadership|Grand Marabout]] of the Mouride brotherhood, [[Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacke]]. Veiling is not required, and criminal activity is rare. Alcohol, cigarettes, loud music, and politics are banned {{Fact|date=June 2007}}.
{{further|[[Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal]]}}
==Present day ==
[[Image:Senegal Grande Mosquee de Ouakam 800x600.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Mosque|Mosquée]] de la Divinité, [[Ouakam]], Senegal.]]
=== Leadership ===
The members of the Muslim brotherhoods vow obedience to their [[marabout]], a personal spiritual leader and the inheritor of the ''[[barakah]]'' (divine grace) of the brotherhood's founder. The founders of each of the brotherhoods are considered ''[[mujaddid]]'' (renewers) of Islam by their followers, citing a [[hadith]] that implies God will send renewers of the faith every hundred years. The marabouts in Senegal are organized in elaborate [[hierarchies]], with the highest marabouts elevated to the status of ''de facto'' rulers.
Marabouts are believed to have the power to heal illness and grant spiritual salvation to their followers. Most marabouts have inherited their position from their fathers. Marabouts are expected to teach and counsel their followers, as well as organize their work. The marabout, a scholar of the [[Qur'an]], presides at various ceremonies, makes [[amulet]]s for good luck, and in some cases actively guides the life of the follower. Marabouts rely on donations to live and often there is an obligation to support the marabout that has accumulated over generations within a family.
{{further|[[Marabout]]}}
=== Culture ===
After the conversion of Lat Dyor Diop many began writing on Islam in both [[Wolof language|Wolof]] and [[Arabic language|Arabic]]. The [[tagg]], or ode song in Wolof, was reused in an Islamic context—an important integration of pre-Islamic style into the new Muslim paradigm.{{ref|Mbye1}}
=== Extremism ===
The Sufi brotherhoods of Senegal have not been historically destabilizing to the secular government of Senegal. Some fear that this trend is changing since Islam has become more politicized in recent time. Indicators, including as small Wahabi population, suggest it may become the first Black African Islamic state but stresses that it does not imply an extremist one.{{ref|Ousman1}}
== See also ==
* [[Senegal]]
* [[Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal]]
* [[Mouride]]
* [[Tijani]]
* [[Sufism]]
* [[Islam in Africa]]
== Notes ==
{{reflist}}
<br />
# {{note|Mbye1}} Mbye, 447-448
# {{note|Ousman1}} Ousman, 80-82
== References ==
* Abdelkérim Ousman, "[http://www.springerlink.com/(2h4ifsfk2pwfggjnaycmbl45)/app/home/contribution.asp?referrer=parent&backto=searcharticlesresults,1,4; The Potential of Islamist Terrorism in Sub-Saharan Africa]", International Journal of Politics, Culture, and Society, Volume 18, Issue 1 - 2, Dec 2004, pp. 65
* Mbye B. Cham, "[http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0001-9720%281985%2955%3A4%3C447%3AIISLAF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-3 Islam in Senegalese Literature and Film]", Africa: Journal of the International African Institute, Vol. 55, No. 4, Popular Islam, 1985 pp. 447-464.
* [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sg.html#People Senegal]. ''[[CIA World Factbook]]''. January 10, 2005.
{{portal|Africa}}
{{portal|Sufism}}
{{Africa in topic|Islam in}}
[[Category:Islam by country|Senegal]]
[[Category:Religion in Senegal]]