Millions mourn death of Senegal religious leader

[July 01, 2010]  DAKAR, Senegal (AP) -- The spiritual chief of Senegal, who assumed leadership of the West African nation's most powerful Muslim brotherhood three years ago, has died. He was 85.

Serigne Bara Falilou Mbacke died of natural causes late Wednesday in the holy Senegalese city of Touba, Prime Minister Souleymane Ndene Ndiaye announced over state radio early Thursday.

Mbacke was 82 when he was designated the sixth leader of the Mourides shortly after his predecessor died in December 2007. He was a grandson of the brotherhood's founder, Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba.

Mbacke was swiftly buried at the main mosque in Touba. He had been ill for months and had recently been hospitalized at a private clinic in the capital, Dakar.

Ndiaye called the death a "very great loss for all the nation" and praised the late leader's "erudite wisdom."

Millions of people were expected to attend mourning ceremonies in Touba over the next few days, including President Abdoulaye Wade.

Senegal has at least two other brotherhoods, which like the Mourides have their own particular interpretation of Islam. The Mourides' spiritual leaders, called marabouts, offer guidance and blessings to their followers, acting as intermediaries between them and God.

Although Senegal is a secular country, the majority of its democratically elected rulers have sought the endorsement of Mouride leaders. While exact numbers aren't known, about a tenth of Senegal's 11 million citizens -- 95 percent of them Muslim -- are said to be Mourides, including Wade.

Religious officials named the new khalif as 84-year-old Serigne Cheikh Maty Leye Mbacke. He is the cousin of the Falilou Mbacke and also a grandson of the brotherhood's founder, who began the religious movement in 1927.

[Associated Press; By SADIBOU MARONE]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.