The Mouride brotherhood is a large tariqa most prominent in Senegal and The Gambia with headquarters in the city of Touba, which is a holy city for the order. Adherents are called Mourides, from the Arabic word murīd, a term used generally in Sufism to designate a disciple of a spiritual guide.The beliefs and practices of the Mourides constitute Mouridism. Mouride disciples call themselves taalibé in Wolof and must undergo a ritual of allegiance called njebbel, as it is considered highly important to have a sheikh "spiritual guide" in order to become a Mouride. The Mouride brotherhood was founded in 1883 in Senegal by Amadou Bamba. The Mouride make up around 40 percent of the total population, and their influence over everyday life can be seen throughout Senegal.
Amadou Bamba
Ibrahima Fall
Mural on a wall in Dakar, Senegal, showing Amadou Bamba, Ibrahima Fall and Serigne Fallou.
Interior of the Great Mosque
A tariqa is a religious order of Sufism, or specifically a concept for the mystical teaching and spiritual practices of such an order with the aim of seeking haqiqa, which translates as "ultimate truth".
"Tariqat" in the Four Spiritual Stations: The Four Stations are Sharia, Ṭarīqah, Haqiqa, and the fourth station marifa, which is considered "unseen" and actually located at the center of the haqiqa region. It is the essence of all four stations.
