Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 185
167 the jama’at. The Amir accepted his application. As he was a new convert, the Amir sent him to me in Basse for a few months for his ta’lim and tarbiyyat. I found him to be a very noble and virtuous young man. He is said to be related to the family of well-known religious and spiritual personage Sheikh Umar Futi. (Some ignorant people believe that Sheikh Futi did not die but has just disappeared). Ahmad Lee is tall …… adhering to salat and fasting as well as tahajjud. In addition to the local Fulani language, he speaks Wolof very well and is well versed with Arabic. He is from Podor town in Senegal situated on the banks of river Senegal that forms the border between the two countries; it has the distinction of being the longest riverine border in the world. On the other side of the rivers lies Mauritania – an Arab state; even in this modern civilised age their lifestyle, customs and dress remind one of the old days. The people living across the river travel between the two countries on small boats. Consequently the residents of these border areas of Senegal bear marks of their neighbours on their daily lifestyle, social setup and routine conversation. Many Arabic words have found their way into their language and have become its integral part. During my stay in Senegal, Ahmad Lee helped me abundantly in my Educational, tarbiyyat and Tabligh efforts and truly speaking he played a big role in the fruits borne by those efforts. May Allah reward him abundantly and be the Guardian and Helper oh his children in religious and worldly matters and grant them all sorts of success, Amin!