11 pilgrims perish in accidents ahead of Islamic festival in Touba, Senegal
Senegal's President Macky Sall talks to journalists during the United Nations conference on climate change on December 1, 2015 at Le Bourget, on the outskirts of the French capital Paris. Eleven pilgrims died in accidents in the Holy city of Touba, 200km from Dakar, Senegal, on Sunday and Monday. PHOTO | LOIC VENANCE
What you need to know:
- Eleven pilgrims have died in 60 road accidents in a last ditch rush to attend an Islamic fete in the Holy city of Touba, about 200 km outside Dakar.
- The accidents took place between Sunday and late Monday during which 404 persons were injured.
- Deadly accidents are commonplace during the pilgrimage, but this year’s death rate is the highest in years and could rise as pilgrims drive back from the event.
DAKAR, Tuesday
Eleven pilgrims have died in 60 road accidents in a last ditch rush to attend an Islamic fete in the Holy city of Touba, about 200 km outside Dakar.
The accidents took place between Sunday and late Monday during which 404 persons were injured.
Deadly accidents are commonplace during the pilgrimage, but this year’s death rate is the highest in years and could rise as pilgrims drive back from the event.
The 121st edition of the fete takes place today, Tuesday for a few hours but pilgrims could continue festivities up to a week later.
BAMBA GAINED POPULARITY
The event commemorates the exile to Gabon in 1895 of the founder of the Mouridism, Cheikh Amadou Bamba, who gained popularity for his passive resistance through non-violence against the colonial power. Touba is the home to Mouridism, a Senegalese Islamic religious movement that has become the most popular Brotherhood in the West African country with converts across the world.
Organisers say over two million pilgrims were this year attending the Islamic ‘Mouride’ fraternity with scores of European, American and Asian converts present.
The government of Senegal always declares the day of the pilgrimage as a national holiday. The event was proceeded by a two-day visit of President Macky Sall and a government delegation at the weekend.
Pilgrims arrive a week ahead of the event while the main prayer lasts for less than ten minutes.
