Serigne Saliou Mbacké

Mbacké was the Islamic spiritual leader of Senegal’s muslims. The president of Senegal ordered a three-day mourning period after his death. Mbacké led the Mouride Islamic Sect, which was founded by his father in 1883 and the most powerful Muslim organization in Senegal. He was buried in the holy city of Touba, 125 miles east of Dakar, and hundreds of thousands had visited his grave within two days of his death. His father also founded the city of Touba, which Mbacké later transformed from a rural outpost to a major city of over one million people with a large university and mosque. Inside the city limits visitors cannot drink, smoke, or dance. Many members of his sect became wealthy through his investments in agriculture.