The most Sufi country on earth?

This might be the most underrated aspect of Senegal nobody really talks about.

Sufism, the mystical path of Islam, began centuries after the religion’s conception when early Muslims searched for a deeper, more spiritual connection to God. Through merchants, travelers, and scholars, it spread across North Africa and eventually reached West Africa.

Unlike in other countries where Sufis make up only a small minority, in Senegal, Sufism became the foundation of society.

Almost every Muslim here belongs to a Sufi order: Tijaniyya, Muridiyya, Qadiriyya, or Layene. Their leaders, called marabouts, guide not only prayer but politics, education, and community life.

Festivals like the Grand Magal of Touba bring millions together in peace and devotion. And because these brotherhoods emphasize tolerance, service, and non-violence, they’ve helped make Senegal one of the most stable and welcoming countries in all of West Africa.