Serigne Cheikh Sidy Moukhtar Mbacké: The Seventh Khalife, Guardian of the Legacy (2010–2018)

Birth: a grandson of Serigne Touba

Serigne Cheikh Sidy Moukhtar Mbacké was born around 1924 or 1925, on a blessed 15th day of Ramadan, in Mbacké Kajoor (Mbacké Kadior), in the department of Kébémer. He was the son of Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacké, son of Serigne Touba, and of Sokhna Maty Lèye. For this reason, he was also known as Serigne Cheikh Maty Lèye Mbacké.

He was the second grandson of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba to lead the Mouride community.

Education: a Sufi in the making

He received his first spiritual teachings from his father. He then studied the religious sciences, Islamic law and Sufism under Serigne Cheikh Awa Balla Mbacké and Serigne Dame Diop, and completed his studies in Diourbel with Mohamed Lamine Diop Dagana.

A builder of villages

In 1948, still a young man, he settled in Keur Nganda, near Gade Escale. There, he had boreholes drilled and brought electricity, turning the village into a thriving community. He also devoted himself to farming, raising livestock and the spiritual education of his disciples, in keeping with the Mouride ideal of prayer and work.

Khalife of his father’s family

On May 22, 1990, he succeeded his elder brother as Khalife of the family of Serigne Mouhamadou Lamine Bara Mbacké. In this role, he:

• built mosques and residences for the community;
• founded many daaras (Quranic schools);
• fully renovated the mausoleum of his father, Serigne Bara, in Touba;
• sent many disciples on the pilgrimage to Mecca every year.

Seventh Khalife général of the Mourides

On July 1, 2010, following the passing of his cousin, Serigne Bara Mbacké Falilou, Serigne Sidy Moukhtar became the seventh Khalife général of the Mourides. He was the first to hold this title together with those of Khalife of Darou Khoudoss and Gouye Mbind.

He led the Mouride community for about seven and a half years.

A khalifate of great works

Under his leadership, the Mouride community carried out some of its most ambitious projects:

• the Great Mosque of Touba: renovated and beautified, with the addition of two majestic new minarets, bringing the total to seven;
• the Massalikoul Djinane Mosque in Dakar: one of the largest mosques in West Africa, named after a famous poem by Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, was built during his khalifate;
• the Khadim Rassoul University: a university project to carry the teachings of Serigne Touba into higher education;
• support for Touba: he gave about 1 billion CFA francs to help the people of Touba after severe flooding;
• pilgrimages: he funded the pilgrimage to Mecca for hundreds of disciples.

A discreet and devoted guide

Serigne Sidy Moukhtar was a man of modest stature, reserved and discreet, and he was always recognizable by the dark glasses he wore. He was an accomplished Sufi, detached from the noise of the world and deeply faithful to the teachings of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba.

He was often called “the silent guardian of Bamba’s legacy.” He taught more through his example than through his words, and he worked constantly for the unity of the Mouride family and of the Muslim community.

Return to God and legacy

Serigne Cheikh Sidy Moukhtar Mbacké returned to God on the evening of Tuesday, January 9, 2018, in Touba, shortly after the sunset prayer, at about 93 years old. He was buried in Gouye Mbind.

His cousin, Serigne Mouhamadou Mountakha Mbacké, son of Serigne Bassirou Mbacké, succeeded him as the eighth Khalife général of the Mourides.