Alhagie Cherno Saidou Dia was speaking in an exclusive interview with The Point at the just concluded 2025 "Daakaa" in Madina Gounass, Senegal.
The annual ‘Daakaa’ which last for ten days, he said, is aimed at bringing together Muslims from different countries to entirely devote themselves purely to worshiping Allah with prayers "duah".
According to the Senegalese scholar this popular religious event is only open to men, as females are discouraged to not go near the venue during the entire ten days period.
He recalled that since its inception, a decade ago, women were not permitted to take part in it.
"These ten days worshiping period is entirely set for men to converge and offer prayers and recite the Holy Qur'an. We all decide to leave our daughters, wives and mothers back in the neighborhood and come here to dedicate our time to our creator." he continued.
This event, he said, also serves a platform where Muslims from different countries also make friends for the sake of Allah.
In the recent past, the religious scholar observed that the attendance number keeps increasing annually, highlighting the significance of the event.
The "Daakaa", he said, is a sacred place and serves as a place where souls are purified and minds and hearts are focused to their Lord which includes recitations of the Holy Quran and preachings on the teachings of ‘our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W throughout the ten days period.
Initiated by the late Halifa General Alhagie Thierno Muhammad Saidou Ba, who is also the founder of Madina Gounass, this ten-day Muslims congregation came as a result of decision taken by the late Halifa and his followers, who decided to search for a quiet place in the bush, where they could comfortably sit and recite the Holy Qur'an without any distraction or interruption.
"So, we continued this for many years and eventually, other people from the neighborhoods and outsiders joined them." he said.
Commenting on the safety of people during the event and in view of the fact that the event is held in the bush, the Islamic scholar maintained that during the event people are save as attendants didn’t come in contacts with either an ant, snake, flies, mosquitoes or wild animal or insect that will harm them.
This, he said, tells how sacred this place is and that it was built on a solid foundation and prayers offered by the late Halifa General and now inherited by his son, Alhagie Thierno Ahmad Tidian Ba, the current Halifa General." he told our reporter.
In view of its importance, the Senegalese Head of State used to attend the event or delegate some to represent him accompanied by a high-powered delegation.
