Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 236
218 Chapter 15 Miscellaneous Imam Mahdi in Senegal – Layene sect During the previous century, a man called Imam Laye claimed to be the Imam Mahdi. He is said to be an uneducated fisherman. He had no book. Once I managed to get hold a booklet consisting of about 30 pages and, according to the compiler, comprising of Imam Laye’s sermons. One sentence in it read: ‘I am Imam of this age, however, if a greater Imam Mahdi comes he should be accepted. ’ His descendants believe in him as a prophet as well. Even his son is believed to be a prophet i. e. father as Imam Mahdi and son as Isa. His disciples are comprised of his descendants only, mostly in Dakar, and some fishermen from the same tribe, Lebou. Being fishermen they are mostly settled in coastal villages. They have only three mosques in the country, situated in two localities of Dakar. Ahmadiyya Booklet published in a Senegalese News- paper to Support their Truth Imam Laye died in 1909. After 100 years of his claim, his followers planned centenary celebrations. They did not have any literature or any other worthwhile thing to present on this occasion. They had Ahmadiyya booklet, ‘The truth about Khatme-nabuwwat’. They got that entire booklet published in a renowned Senegalese newspaper La Soleil as their support. The details are as under: An international trade fair is organised in the capitol of Senegal