Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 207
189 We are the real Murids A young man in a village near Kaolack became an Ahmadi. Majority of his village belonged to Muridiyya sect. They are very rigid in their attitude. They do not tolerate any dissenting views or any comment against their pir (religious leader); they will not stop short of an assault. They could harm you if you deny their beliefs or miracles by their religious leaders. They hold one well- known belief that the founder of their sect - Amadou Bamba used to ride a lion. Also when French army arrested him for alleged rebellion and exiled him to Gabon by ship, en-route he was not allowed to offer his salat on the ship, he spread out his prayer mat over the sea water and offered his prayers there. I told the new convert to arrange a Tabligh meeting in the village. Knowing that they were Mourides and violent, he was rather afraid. I told him not to worry as nothing untoward will happen insha-Allah. You take me to the open space near the mosque after maghrib prayers. He agreed and as planned we reached there after maghrib prayers. The young man introduced me to the audience saying that I was the Ahmadi muballigh and also told them about the jama’at briefly. Some of the audience said that they were not in need of anyone as they were mourides and Amadou Bamba was sufficient for them. Mourides are very hard working people and would do any work. On the whole they are poor, but the Caliphs and their descendants are amongst the richest in the country. Governments form and fall on their beckoning. I told them that in fact I am also a mouride. Because mouride is