Islam in Senegal

1. Islam is the primary religion of Senegal and the Gambia.
2. About 10% of the population is Animist, especially in the Cassamance and Pays Bassari.
3. About 10% of the population is Christian, especially in Dakar and Cape Verde areas.
4. "Black Islam" has Sunni followers as are found in North Africa but there are two local "brotherhoods" ' that distinguish them from fondamentalists. They are called: Tidjanah and Mouridists.
5. Tidjanah was founded by El Hadj Malick Sy and organizes large pilgrimages commemorating the birth of the prophet Mohammad. Tivaouane, north of Dakar, is the relgious center.
6. Mouridism, whose religious center is at Touba, near St. Louis the old capital, was founded by Cheikh Amadou Bamba during the 19th century. Millions of followers assemble each year in Touba.
7. Thanks to the peaceful preaching of their Marabouts, I felt safer living in Senegal than I do in the USA.
8. Mouridists and Tidjanahists love "all" those who love God, by any name.