Grande Mosquée de Touba inaugurated 1963 as centerpiece of Mouride faith

The Grande Mosquée de Touba, the main shrine of the Mouride brotherhood in Senegal, was inaugurated on 7 June 1963 after three decades of construction that began in 1932. Initiated by the movement’s founder Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, the project was overseen by his eldest son Serigne Mouhamadou Moustapha Mbacké and later accelerated by his brother Serigne Fallou Mbacké. The mosque features seven towering minarets, a large prayer hall and a mausoleum housing Bamba’s remains, making it a focal point for the annual Grand Magal pilgrimage that draws millions of faithful.

Since its opening, successive Khalifes have expanded and renovated the complex. New restoration and embellishment works are slated to begin in March 2026, supported by the current Khalife General Serigne Babacar Sy Mansour. The site remains a symbol of Mouride identity and Senegalese religious heritage.