As the annual pilgrimage to Halwar approaches, the RENDDO Cheikhou Omar association reaffirms its commitment to preserving, transmitting and updating the spiritual, intellectual and pan-Africanist legacy of El Hadj Omar Foutiyou Tall, a major figure in 19th-century African religious history.

In Halwar, the birthplace of El Hadj Omar Tall, memory is not static. It is passed on, reflected upon, and projected into the future. Under the guidance of its spiritual leader, Thierno Nourou Cheikh Omar Mountaga Tall, the RENDDO Cheikhou Omar association has been working for several years to popularize and promote the Omar legacy, both in Senegal and within the diaspora.

With some forty associations and branches spread across the globe, the organization now boasts over 25,000 active members. It was in this context that the religious leader met with the press, ahead of the major annual pilgrimage to Halwar, to discuss the spiritual, historical, and universal significance of the work of Cheikhou Omar Foutiyou Tall, a man of faith, thinker, and major figure in 19th-century African history. "We have invited you here today to discuss the life and work of Cheikhou Omar Foutiyou Tall through the RENDDO association. When he passed away, he had issued a call to jihad, and Senegal, like all of Africa, supported him until his mysterious disappearance in the cliffs of Bandiagara," recalled Thierno Nourou Cheikh Omar Mountaga Tall.

According to him, this singular disappearance, acknowledged even by the former colonial power, confers upon Cheikhou Omar Tall a timeless spiritual dimension. "He continues to live among us through his messages, transmitted by his descendants and successors. Today, it is time to make the inexhaustible legacy of El Hadj Omar Tall known to the world, particularly in Halwar, his birthplace," he emphasized. The religious leader also revisited the spiritual pronouncements attributed to Cheikhou Omar Foutiyou Tall, notably the emergence in Senegal of great religious figures such as Serigne Touba, El Hadj Malick Sy, and Seydina Limamou Laye, whom he considered beacons destined to preserve peace and harmony in the country. "Senegal abounds in natural resources, but true wealth lies in embracing the teachings of this scholar. If we make them our compass, we will build a society of peace and harmony," he affirmed.

Halwar, lever of Omarian renewal

Charged with translating this vision into concrete actions, the RENDDO association presented to journalists the program and prospects of the Halwar 2026 pilgrimage, conceived as a moment that is at once spiritual, educational and structuring for local development.

For Mamadou Diacko, vice-president of the RENDDO association, this is part of a decidedly international dynamic. "RENDDO is Africa, Europe and America. This year, our leader undertook an international tour to strengthen the association's membership and establish branches around the world," he explained.

Founded in 1999, the association claims to have developed structuring projects to promote Halwar. The annual pilgrimage (ziarra) thus constitutes a major opportunity to share this vision with the faithful, researchers, and authorities.

Among the announced innovations is the organization, on the night of February 10, of an international symposium bringing together renowned intellectuals and historians, including Professor Abdoul Malal Diop, former ambassador, and Professor Mbaye Thiam, a specialist in Sufi thought.

“Many pilgrims participate in the ziarra without always understanding its profound meaning or knowing the significance of Cheikhou Omar Foutiyou Tall. This symposium will help enlighten the faithful about his work and his message,” explained Mamadou Diacko. In this same spirit, RENDDO aims to make Halwar a leading center for the Omarian revival, linking spirituality, culture, and sustainable economic development. An international fair will be organized alongside the ziarra, with the goal of promoting the local economy and community initiatives. Through this comprehensive approach, the association intends to perpetuate a living legacy, faithful to the spirit of El Hadj Omar Tall, while also addressing contemporary challenges. This serves as a reminder that the transmission of knowledge, faith, and values remains essential for the harmonious development of communities and societies.