Serigne Saliou Mbacké: The Fifth Khalife, Educator and Farmer (1915–2007)

The last son of Serigne Touba to lead the community

Cheikh Saliou Mbacké was born in 1915 in Diourbel, where his father, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, was then living. His name, Saliou, means “the virtuous one,” and it suited him perfectly.

He was the last son of Serigne Touba to lead the Mouride community, and, in the words of many, “the last son of Bamba on earth.” For millions of disciples, he was a living link with the founder of the Mouride path.

“Entrust me with the young”

Education was the great mission of his life. He often said:

“Entrust me with the young, and I will teach them what Serigne Touba taught the elders.”

He founded many daaras (Quranic schools) across Senegal, including at Ndiouroul, Gott, Lagane, Guélor, Ndooka, Ngeediane, Khabbane, Ndiapandal and Darou Salam Gnibi-Ngal. In these schools, the teaching of the Holy Quran and religious education went hand in hand with work in the fields. He showed his students that prayer and work, the two pillars of the Mouride path, can never be separated.

He is remembered as an exceptional educator, a tireless worker and a true Sufi, who mastered the art of religious education.

The first farmer of Senegal

Serigne Saliou was also known as “the first farmer of Senegal.” His great agricultural project at Khelcom covered about 45,000 hectares. It fed thousands of people and served as a model of food self-sufficiency, in keeping with the Mouride teaching that work is a form of worship.

Khalife of the Mourides (1990–2007)

After the passing of his brother, Serigne Abdou Khadre Mbacké, Serigne Saliou became the fifth Khalife général of the Mourides in May 1990, and settled in Touba. He led the community for 17 years.

The modernizer of Touba

Under his leadership, Touba grew into the second largest city in Senegal:

• the Great Mosque: he carried out major renovation work, inside and out, including covering the mosque in fine Italian marble;
• city planning: he contributed about 7 billion CFA francs to modernize the city, including the preparation of about 100,000 plots of land;
• electricity and sanitation: he extended the city’s electrical network and improved sanitation;
• education: he continued the construction of the Islamic university begun by his brother, Serigne Abdoul Ahad Mbacké.

A life of simplicity

Despite his great authority, Serigne Saliou lived with complete simplicity. He spoke little, avoided public attention, and was admired by all Senegalese, including the country’s leaders, who came to him for counsel and blessings.

Return to God and legacy

Serigne Saliou Mbacké returned to God on Friday, December 28, 2007, in Touba, at the age of 92. He was buried the next day inside the Great Mosque of Touba.

With his passing, the era of the sons of Serigne Touba as Khalifes came to an end. His successor, Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacké, son of Serigne Fallou, opened the era of the grandsons.

Today, his daaras, his fields at Khelcom and the modern city of Touba all testify to the life of a guide who united prayer, education and work.