This Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the Mouride community celebrates the Magal of Daroul Mouhty, which commemorates the historic reunion between Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba and his brother Mame Thierno Birahim Mbacké upon the return from exile of the founder of Mouridism.

To mark this major spiritual event, the Dahira Al Hidaaya organised its ninth annual panel in Darou Khoudoss under the direction of its moral leader, Serigne Ahmadou Mbacké Bachir, son of Serigne Bassirou Abdou Khoudoss, current spokesperson for the khalifa of Darou Mouhty.

This year, the panel brought together four eminent speakers of national renown. Mohamed Lamine Diouf, a member of the scientific committee of Hizbut-Tarqiyya, shared his expertise. Serigne Mame Mor Hamdy Mbacké, an education inspector and writer-researcher, enriched the discussions with his knowledge. Mame Thierno Lo, a doctor of sociology, offered an academic perspective. Finally, Professor Ibrahima Thioub, Vice-Rector for Research and Partnerships at Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Khadim University of Touba, contributed his scholarly insights.

In his address, Serigne Ahmadou Mbacké Bachir recalled the origins of this initiative. "From 2018 to 2026, it has now been nine years to the day since we began organizing this high-level panel in Darou Khoudoss on the sidelines of the Magal of Daroul Mouhty," he stated. He welcomed the participants to this religious city founded in 1912 by Borom Darou on the "ndigueul" (instruction) of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké.

This popular destination for the faithful, the second capital of Mouridism, is distinguished each year by the influx of thousands of pilgrims who come to answer the call of Mame Thierno Birahim.

The spiritual leader of the Dahira Al Hidaaya emphasized the spiritual dimension of this gathering. Through this large religious assembly, the faithful commemorate the historic reunion between a disciple and his enlightened guide, an elder brother and his younger brother. The Magal of Daroul Mouhty, or Nisfou Chabaane according to the Muslim calendar, celebrates the close bond between two saints, the affection, respect, trust, and exemplary relationship between Khadimou Rassoul and Sheikh Ibrahima Faty Mbacké.

Personal development: a theme at the heart of current concerns

This year, the panel focused on the theme of personal development.

In his address, Serigne Ahmadou Mbacké Bachir defined personal development as the set of steps aimed at better understanding oneself, improving one's skills, and achieving a better life balance. Drawing on the teachings of Imam Al-Ghazali, he emphasized that every individual can evolve positively through conscious self-reflection.

The leader emphasized that this approach is not an import, but is deeply rooted in Senegalese values of solidarity, dignity, and faith. He cited the Wolof proverbs "Nit nitay garabam" (man is man's remedy) and "Dome sou bakhé domi nieup la wayé sou bonné doumou ndéyam la" to illustrate that individual progress finds its meaning in its contribution to collective well-being.

A response to contemporary challenges

Faced with endemic unemployment, social pressure, and technological changes, personal development has emerged as a strategic tool for adaptation and resilience for Senegalese youth. It is not about escaping reality, but about learning to confront it with clarity, courage, and perseverance, transforming obstacles into opportunities.

Serigne Ahmadou Mbacké Bachir extensively based his argument on sacred texts, particularly the Quranic verse "God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves," demonstrating that collective change begins with inner transformation. He also cited several surahs (Al-Baqara, The Consultation, Al-Isra, An-Nahl) to ground personal development in a spiritual perspective.

The moral leader of Dahira Al Hidaaya concluded by stating that personal development is neither a luxury nor a fad, but a necessity to build a strong and forward-looking Senegal.

"Let us commit to making personal development not a speech, but a daily practice in our homes, our schools, our workplaces and our places of worship. It is by improving ourselves individually that we collectively raise our country," he declared before several religious authorities, including Serigne Cheikh Abdou Lahad Mbacké Gaïndé Fatma.