The Tidianiyya is the most widespread and representative brotherhood in Senegal in terms of number of followers, and one of the most widespread in Africa and throughout the world. Mawlâna Chaykh Ahmad At-Tijaniy’s journey is in itself an example of life’s twists and turns, thirst for knowledge, intellectual rigor, self-sacrifice in worship, nobility and grandeur of purpose. The Tidianiyya is the most widespread and representative brotherhood in Senegal in terms of followers, and one of the most widespread in Africa and the world. Mawlâna Chaykh Ahmad At-Tijaniy’s journey is in itself an example of life’s twists and turns, thirst for knowledge, intellectual rigor, self-sacrifice in worship, nobility and grandeur of purpose. All milestones that will eternally inspire all mankind.

The Tariqa has many eminent representatives, including Mouhammad Hafiz Alaouiy, Mohammad Al Ghaliy, Aliy Tamassini, Chaykh Oumar TALL Al Foutiyyou, Maouloud Fall, Tijani Ibnou Baba, Amadou Hamet BA de Ouro Madiw, Ahmad Skiredji, Seyyidi Alhadj Malick SY, Alhadj Abdallahi Niasse, Sidi Brahim Riahi, Chaykh Ibrahima Niasse ; Mame Khalifa Niasse, Amary Ndack Seck, Thierno Alhadj Mohamadou Said BA, Chaykh Ahmad Baro Ndieguene, Thierno Ahmad Baro, Thierno Hamet BabaTalla, Thierno Ahmad Dème, Serigne Abass Sall, etc.

The spiritual leaders of these branches of the Tidianiyya are all holy men, men of science and culture, poets, writers, patriarchs. They are holders of a vast intellectual and scientific heritage. However, little is known about their lives and works. The symposium “Sufi Islam facing the contemporary challenge: What contributions has the Tidianiyya made to humanity’s heritage?” revisits the lives of these holy men, the relationship between Sufism and science, and the preservation of knowledge and heritage through biographies, exhibitions, iconography, manuscript presentations and more.

Clearly, in its inclusive approach, the symposium will be careful to take into account contributions relating to the saints of all other Sufi obediences, notably those present in Senegal such as the Mouridiyya, the Qadiriyya and the Layennes.

Christian Coulon emphasized that “in Senegal, one is a disciple before being a citizen”. With this quotation, he highlighted the specificity of Senegal, dominated by so-called confraternity Islam. Four major brotherhoods dominate Islam in Senegal: Tidianiyya, Khadiriyya, Mouridism and Lâyéniyya. While Tidianiyya and Khadiriyya are exogenous, Mouridism and Lâyéniyya are endogenous.

There will be a panel discussion on the lives of the saints, as well as an exhibition on the lives and works of some of these saints, their spiritual journey and the milestones in the political and social history of their countries.

Science, erudition and religious practice are the foundations of the Tijaaniya. The Tariqa has many eminent representatives who have produced much. The spiritual leaders of its various branches are all holy men, men of science and culture, poets, writers and patriarchs. They have produced much in the way of science and literature in various fields. However, little is known about their lives and works.

Most of these saints left us major works written either in Arabic or in local languages, very few of which have been edited and published, and far fewer have been translated. Yet these are extremely topical writings that would benefit the whole of humanity. This is the time to appropriate the production of the Tariqa’s scientific and spiritual elite, and to call on the families of these saints to bring the manuscripts to light and extract their quintessence.

The symposium “Sufi Islam facing the contemporary challenge: what contributions has the Tidianiyya made to humanity’s heritage?” will revisit the lives of these holy men, the relationship between Sufism and science, and the preservation of knowledge and heritage through biographies, exhibitions, iconography, manuscript presentations and more.

The aim is to bring to light the Tariqa’s vast intellectual and scientific heritage, which is largely unknown. This requires identifying and inventorying them, before proceeding with preservation and restoration measures. The ultimate goal is to popularize them through information and communication technologies, and in formats adapted to the needs of the community. Consequently, the question of preserving and promoting the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the saints raises a number of issues, including :

– Review of known or unpublished bibliographic productions;

– processing of existing documentation ;

– translation of major works and classics; 

– digitization of the corpus of religious families;

– editing manuscripts;

– Etc.

A panel discussion will be organized on the challenges and opportunities of preserving and promoting the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Tijjaaniyya.

– Preserve, popularize and draw inspiration from the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the saints.

– Integrate knowledge of these saints into the historical heritage and curricula of our countries (education, research, leadership, citizenship and patriotism, laws, constitution, etc.).

– Set up an innovative mechanism for scientific, cultural and spiritual promotion.

– Propose a support mechanism for the family of Sheikhna Ahmad AT-Tijâniy RTA.

Expected results:

– Integrate knowledge of these saints into the historical heritage and curicula of our countries (popular among young people, audiovisual productions, education, leadership, civic-mindedness and patriotism, laws, constitution, etc.).

– Identify ways to preserve, enhance and draw inspiration from the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the saints (university chairs, research programs, audiovisual productions, etc.).