Under the aegis of Serigne Saliou Mbacké, the fifth Caliph General of the Mourides, Hizbut-Tarqiyyah laid the first stone of his mosque in 1995. Thirty years later, and under the direction of Serigne Youssou Diop, its moral leader, the mosque was inaugurated last Friday.
Hizbut-Tarqiyyah spent 30 years building his majestic mosque, at the heart of his complex in Touba, on the road to Belel. “ The construction took time, because we started it in 1995, following the recommendation of Serigne Saliou Mbacké », Specified Mouhamadou Lamine Diouf, the communications manager.
According to him, the slowness of the work is explained by the fact that construction was not their main activity. “ When we received a “ndigeul” (recommendation) from the Caliph General of the Mourides, we interrupted the work to honor his wish. “, he confides. So, there were periods of acceleration, followed by moments of respite and pause, he adds.
Thus, today, in the distance, its two minarets stand majestically, 60 meters high, surrounded by a circumference of 100 by 80 meters. Inside, as Mouhamadou Lamine Diouf indicates, a vast prayer space of 830 square meters is available, capable of accommodating more than 1,000 faithful. In addition to the extensions located on the sides, the establishment has Islamic education rooms for women and men, as well as all the amenities worthy of a mosque.
Architecturally, the project draws striking inspiration from mosques across the Muslim world, such as those in Mecca, Medina, Koufa, Touba and Diourbel, among other religious sites. “ Those who know the history of Islam will easily recognize them. », He underlines, adding that it is a true architectural synthesis of mosques throughout the Muslim world.
In this regard, our interlocutor stressed that it was the late Serigne Atou Diagne, former moral leader of Daara Hizbut-Tarqiyyah, who designed and launched the project. He pointed out that what makes the situation particularly interesting is that “ all work was carried out by members of Daara Hizbut-Tarqiyyah, under the artistic direction of the moral manager ».
Mouhamadou Lamine Diouf underlined that the mosque had the honor of welcoming the visit of three General Caliphs of the Mourides: Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacké Fallou, Serigne Sidi Mokhtar Mbacké and the current Caliph, Serigne Mountakha Mbacké. He added that although the mosque is now open to all, prayers have been held there since 2014.
Concerning the cost of the project, he preferred not to dwell on the subject. Nevertheless, he considers that a significant sum has been committed. To determine the exact amount necessary for the construction of this majestic mosque, accounting work is necessary, according to the communications manager of Hizbut-Tarqiyyah.
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