Cherished Memories of Africa — Page 242
224 presented their request. Senghor was a very intelligent and shrewd person. He said: ‘I am very pleased to see you and am grateful for your proposal and promise to accept it’. The delegation were glad over their success. ‘But there is a little problem’, Sengor added after a little while, ‘if you could help me in this respect, I will have no objection. The problem is that Muslims in Senegal are divided in so many sects. If I join Tijaniyyah, the Muridiyyah, Layenes and other sects will be unhappy with me and if I become a Muride the other sects will be offended. Thus instead of love they will develop hatred for me. I wish that you go and elect a khalifa as leader accepted by all the Senegalese Muslims. I will immediately perform his bai’at. ’ The delegate left in silence and never approached Senghor for that purpose again. Senghor ruled the country for a long period peacefully and comfortably and then abdicated. The Senegalese regard him as their great leader till today and many important national buildings are named after him. Ambassador of Sierra Leone Speaks the Truth The President of Liberia was due as a special guest for independence-day celebrations of the Gambia. The Gambian ministers, Ambassadors of various countries and VIPs from different departments were waiting in the VIP lounge to welcome the honourable guest. I was also there in my capacity as Amir of the Jama’at. Different persons were sitting at different places. The place where I was sitting also had Mauritanian Ambassador there and the Ambassador of Sierra Leone, Hon Mr Fofana nearby. The Mauritanian Ambassador said to Mr Fofana: ‘You are a very good Muslim and because of your love for Islam, I think, your next posting will be in Saudi Arabia. ’