Mauritania Mosques Teeming With Preachers in Ramadan

By Moussa Habib, IOL Correspondent

NOUAKCHOTT, October 16, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) – Upon sighting the sliver of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, Mosques in Mauritania turn into beehives with da`is (preachers) leading the faithful in their prayers and holding Qur’an memorization circles round the clock.

Most of the da`is launch da`wah programs during the dawn-to-dusk fasting month, providing mosques with a torrent of trained imams to raise the religious awareness of the public.

They invite youths to i`tikaf , spiritual retreat in the mosques, even for just 24 hours and reach out to those who do not pray at mosques, capitalizing on spiritual Ramadan.

Islamic groups like Al-Tableegh w Al-Da`wah are also sending preachers to the mosques and hold Ramadanian forums all over the holy month.

On the official side, the Ministry of Literacy and Islamic Affairs, in cooperation with the Imams League, holds Iftar banquets at mosques nationwide for the poor and the needy.

The charity includes 883 mosques in the capital and 500 others all over the country in addition to 300 religious schools.

Renowned preachers

One of the most prominent preachers is Mohammad Ould Sid Yahia, alias Abul Da`wah, who took the pulpit back in 1980s.

Yahia’s sense of humor and seriousness in the meantime have attracted a wide audience. He became in a short time the favorite da`i for many Mauritanians.

Although he retired from da`wah activities because of old age, his recorded sermons are still resonating through the west African country.

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hassan Ould Al-Didou, known as the “encyclopedic preacher”, is the most prominent preacher in the country nowadays.

Mauritanians from different age groups are keen on Thursdays to turn out in large numbers to attend his weekly lesson “Thursday Pulpit” downtown the capital Nouakchott.

He also delivers the Friday sermon at Osama Bin Zayed grand mosque in Arafat province where he is planning to build an Islamic center.

Mohamed Ould Abuwah is another preacher, who is best known among the Mauritanians as a bard who led a dissolute life before repenting and becoming a good Muslim.

Mohamed Ghulam Ould Al-Haj Al-Sheikh, the leader of yet-to-be Democratic Forum party, has also left his indelible marks on the youths across the country through his unique preaching approach, which touches on the burning issues of the country and the Arab world.