Conference: Women in Mouridisme: Past and Present
Saturday January 30th
18:00
Panel: Sokhna Mame Fatou Lo, Sokhna Momi Mbacke, Sokhna Gueye and Sokhna Ndeye Mbye, Sokhna Fatou Sow, Serigne Khally Diakhate
In his opening remarks on the subject of Women in Mouridism, Serigne Khally Diakhate cited that behind every good man is a good woman and that as seen in the Holy Quran every time there is a call for good deeds, both men and women are mentioned. Women in Mouridism were therefore very important.
Speaking at the Conference, Sokhna Mame Fatou Lo, from the school at Darou Khudoss stated that when speaking of women in Mouridisme, it is the same as women in Islam. Sokhna Lo cited the importance of women in Islam and the role they played in society. She stated that women fulfilled half the religion in Islam and are seen as the support of any good structure. Women she said, complete men and also prepare the children of tomorrow. Sokhna Lo reminded the audience that before Islam, women were maltreated and seen as being inferior to men and wholly disregarded in society. With Islam, women were given respect and dignity and placed on equal standing to men, where religion was concerned. Where it differed she said, was the economic and social roles men and women filled.
Women, she said had the role of teaching and looking after their family and in fact a good woman will bring up good children who will continually pray for their parents long after they have died. The Prophet Mouhammed (P.B.U.H) said of Sayidituna Aisha that we may learn half of our religion from her. Since the woman’s role in the home and society was so vast, she must be prepared. Knowledge is key and Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba (May Allah be Pleased with him) saw a child as the mirror of a good woman. Learning and teaching go hand in hand.
In the past, Sokhna Astou Wallo Mbacke had her own school where she taught the Holy Quran and passed on much knowledge. An example of this is seen in Sokhna Diarra who is a wonderful example to Muslim women, especially to Mouride women.
The first role of a Muslim is to know God, for Allah says know me before you worship me. First, we must seek knowledge. The teachings of the Quran and the teaching of Islam are essential. Sokhna Lo stressed that it is never too late to learn and since children are the mirror of a good woman, women must empower themselves with knowledge. Examples of women from the past who sought knowledge include Sokhna Fatou Koura Toure, who sought out Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba to teach her and also Oumou Habiba from the time of the Prophet Mohammed (P.B.U.H.)
Sokhna Lo gave the examples of Sayidatuna Khadijah and her support for the prophet (P.B.U.H.) as well as the example of Sokhna Awa Busso. There are also a lot of women who have made sacrifices in the name of Islam and these women are all pioneers in the forward thinking nature of women in Islam. Another example can be seen in the work of Sokhna Maimouna Mbacke who is known for her extensive knowledge of the Holy Quran, the Hadith and the teachings of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba (May Allah be Pleased with him). Sokhna Maimouna Mbacke is also known for her hardwork in the domestic sphere and is an excellent example to all women. Sokhna Muslimatou Mbacke is a very good example of a modern working woman, who not only was very knowledgeable and a devoted mother but was also very much involved in commerce.
Growing up, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba was surrounded by devoted and pious women such as Sokhna Mame Diarra Busso.
In her speech at the conference, Sokhna Moumi Mbacke stressed what was already said by Sokhna Lo and said that the people of Touba and Mourids were very lucky to be able to be in a place where it was very easy to find so many good examples. She urged all women to exercise patience in their homes and all aspects in their family life. She also urged women to be humble and to ask for forgiveness if they are in the wrong. Sokhna Moumi Mbacke also called on women to remember that we are on this earth for a short period of time and we are only visitors, to be modest in their dress and to set examples in their household. She gave the example of Sokhna Fatou Dia who was an exemplary example to all women. We can all improve and play our part and women in the various schools and Dahiras in Touba and overseas are putting in all their efforts.
Concluding the conference, Sokhna Fatou Sow called on women to be disciplined and to act with care in all aspects of their life, to learn from the past so that they can be exemplary examples to all future women.