While the world trembled under the effects of Covid, Touba continued to assert itself and build. Succeeding Serigne Sidy Mokhtar, Cheikh Mouhamadou Mountakha was very quickly confronted with a difficult situation.

First, the Covid crisis appeared at the beginning of 2020.

According to the WHO, the pandemic has affected more than 770 million people and caused nearly 7 million deaths. The actual figures are likely higher. The global recession has led to a 3% contraction in GDP, affecting billions of people.

In Senegal, nearly 90,000 cases and 2,000 deaths have been recorded. These figures, likely underestimated, demonstrate the scale of the health and economic shock. No sector has been spared: the informal economy, tourism, transportation, cultural industries, and the primary and secondary sectors. Even the education system has been profoundly affected. Purchasing power has declined, exacerbating the vulnerability of the population, while GDP growth fell from 5.3% in 2019 to 0.7% in 2020.

Subsequently, the political crisis from 2021 to 2024 hampered growth, which fell from a potential of over 5% to around 4%. The IMF (2025) notes that internal tensions dampened consumption and investment, even though the economy remained generally resilient. These uncertainties reduced investor confidence, leading to a decline or postponement of investments estimated at between 10% and 20%.

Great achievements

Such a context should have hampered the major projects of the Mouride community. But this was not the case.

The tradition of major works continued. On March 11, 1918, in the midst of the First World War, eight months before the armistice, Serigne Touba laid the first stone of the Diourbel mosque.

In this legacy of will and khidma (service), Sheikh Mountakha continued and finalized the Massalik mosque (more than twenty billion CFA francs).

At the same time, he laid the foundation stone of the University of Touba on December 5, 2018, at an estimated cost of over thirty billion CFA francs, thus fulfilling the wish of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba:

"Make my home the blessed city of Touba, an academic center... a source of knowledge and a center of God's favor."

The university appears as a direct response to this prayer. As Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Diop Dagana reports, Serigne Mbacké Bousso considered that the Sheikh could not find a better place for the religious education of his disciples.

The University of Touba (Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim Complex for Education and Training) opened its doors on February 6, 2023. Three years later, on April 23, 2026, its first 166 graduates received their diplomas.

Sheikh Mountakha also launched the expansion and beautification works of the Great Mosque of Touba. Serigne Touba had laid the foundations on August 30, 1926, after mobilizing more than four million francs through voluntary contributions.

He then called on the faithful to contribute according to their means:

"Don't exceed your capabilities... in order to preserve your independence."

Since this recommendation from the Sheikh, projects have been calibrated according to the capacities of the faithful, guaranteeing the autonomy of the community.

Khidma, an engine of resilience

Khidma is at the heart of the Mouride paradox. Inherited from the teachings of Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba, it refers to selfless service rendered to God.

This is an important principle that opens the gates of Paradise: “It is said that when the Last Day arrives, when the bridge is suspended over Hell, and creatures are confronted with sorrow and distress, a voice will call out: ‘Where are the people of khidma for the benefit of the Muslims?’ They will answer. He will command them to quickly go to Paradise, saying to them: ‘Go to Paradise without hardship or difficulty.’” This passage from Massalik explains the constant commitment of the faithful, regardless of the circumstances.

Thanks to the khidma, each disciple becomes an active participant in the financing and implementation of projects. The community is independent of the state and external donors: it relies on itself.

This model is based on several strengths:

* an economy of voluntary giving (adiya), based on faith;

* a strong capacity for mobilization through the Sheikhs and the dahiras;

* relative financial autonomy, which protects against dependencies;

* legitimate religious leadership, which guides and unites.

Thus, khidma, in addition to being a spiritual ideal, is a true lever for development and resilience.

Sheikh Mountakha, "a gift from God"

In a world marked by uncertainty, the Mouride community maintains — and even strengthens — its dynamics of investment and solidarity.

Beyond being a builder, Sheikh Mountakha is a refuge. He listens, relieves, comforts, and restores hope.

Countries like Morocco and Turkey, which he supported during major disasters, bear witness to this. On numerous occasions, he has come to the aid of populations in distress, or supported mosque and school projects.

Visionary and charismatic, committed to the unity of the Ummah and to social peace, he appears as "a gift from God", to use the expression of Sheikh Sidiya Baba about Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba.

It provides relief when the world sneezes.

He heals when the country fractures.

And he builds for God when economies slow down.

May God grant him a long life, so that he may continue to illuminate our country and inspire generations.

Sheikh Abdoul Ahad Mbacké Gaïndé Fatma

President of the Culture and Communication Commission of the Grand Magal of Touba Organizing Committee