Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 220
202 Hospitality by a Pir Tijaniyya in Senegal has divided into many sub-sects each with its own khalifa. Although Tivaouane is given the title of Khalifa General but because of internal rifts each group has acquired a separate identity now. One of these groups have their centre in Medina Gounass near Velingara. Their Khalifa is Ahmed Tijan. Once I was on a tour of Velingara area, accompanied by my family. I had planned to see the khalifa and convey the message of Ahmadiyyat to him. Accordingly I reached his place. The Pir was in the company of his mourides in a big hall; he was seated on a comfortable sofa while the mourides (followers) were sitting on a carpet on the floor. I informed him of my arrival. The Pir sent all his mourides out of the hall and had me seated next to him on the sofa. After customary greetings, I detailed him about the advent of the Promised Messiah (as), his claims and the worldwide religious services of the jama’at for about one hour. He continued to repeat one Fula word ‘kugonga, kugonga’ meaning that’s true. He expressed his pleasure over the meeting. Later I sought his permission to leave. In the meantime, he called his mourides and then all of us came out of his house. A man with a herd of sheep approached us. The Pir said, ‘because of shortage of time you have not dined with us, therefore, I want to present a sheep to you as a gift’. One of his mourides handed over a sheep to me. I thanked him for his hospitality and appreciation and said, ‘I will be travelling to many places on my tour, therefore, it will be very difficult to carry the sheep along. I would like to present the sheep to your mourides’. The mourides were very pleased and thanked me. I have not been able to visit them since because of my ill health.