The Muslim community of the Dandé Mayo neighborhood in the Kédougou commune celebrated Eid al-Adha this Thursday morning in an atmosphere of religious fervor and devotion. Very early in the morning, hundreds of worshippers converged on the town's main mosque to perform the traditional two-rak'ah prayer.

The prayer was led by the president of the regional Islamic League and imam ratib, Mamadou Alpha Ba, in front of a large crowd who came to hear his sermon focused on faith, solidarity and social peace.

In his message, the imam returned to the spiritual significance of Tabaski, recalling that this festival symbolizes sacrifice, obedience to God and sharing among believers.

“I invite you to return to God, to respect the five pillars of Islam, especially prayer. I call for the unity of all Muslims. I invite the faithful to greater serenity. We must forget our differences and focus on what is essential in order to address the urgent needs, because the people are suffering greatly at this time,” Mamadou Alpha Ba declared in his sermon.

The Imam Ratib also emphasized the need to strengthen social bonds in a context marked by economic hardship and social tensions. According to him, only the unity of Muslims and respect for Islamic values will preserve community cohesion.

Among the worshippers present at the grand mosque, the imam's message resonated. Abdoulaye Sow, who came to pray with his family, felt that the sermon was a source of hope.

"The imam's reminder was very important. Today, people are going through difficult times. We must prioritize solidarity and mutual support," he told our reporter.

Aïssatou Diallo, a devout Muslim woman encountered leaving the mosque, shared the same sentiment.

"Tabaski should not be just a festival of meat and sheep. It is also a time for forgiveness and reconciliation between families and communities," she stressed.

For his part, Moussa Kane, a young follower, welcomed the call for unity launched by the religious leader.

"Divisions weaken the Muslim community. The imam's message encourages us to return to the essentials: faith, peace, and solidarity," he said.

After the prayer and sermon, the faithful dispersed to join their respective families to perform the ritual sacrifice of the sheep in an atmosphere marked by greetings, prayers and family reunions.

As everywhere else in Senegal, the celebration of Eid-El-Kebir in Dandé Mayo was a powerful moment of communion, spirituality and a call for social cohesion.