Cheikh Atkana Aidara, president-founder of the Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh Foundation and president of the International Islamic Conference of the Khadriya Tariqa, has called for the revival of activities at the Zawiya Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The zawiya, located in the Carrefour neighborhood of Arafat, Nouakchott-Sud, is an important religious institution that requires revitalization, according to Aidara. He made the appeal during a four-day visit to the zawiya, which began on September 20, 2026.
During his visit, Aidara met with members of the community and delivered a conference on Monday evening after the El Maghrib prayer. He highlighted the significance of the zawiya, which features a mosque and a mahadra open to all. Aidara expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received and praised the participation of the faithful and their friends. He also emphasized the spiritual legacy of Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh, which is built on mutual respect, solidarity, fraternity, and unity among Muslims.
Aidara urged the faithful to preserve and promote this legacy of concord and communion, stressing the importance of strengthening historical and spiritual ties between communities that inherit this religious tradition. He acknowledged the presence of several notable figures, including Cheikh Nenne, Hawa Danfaga, and Bobbe Diakhaté, which he said demonstrates the fraternal bonds between different communities. Aidara also paid tribute to the commitment of Cheikh Ahmedou Ould Cheikh Kachif, imam of the zawiya's mosque, and other members of the community.
In his address to the large gathering of people from various Nouakchott neighborhoods, Aidara recalled that the members of this community are united around a shared spiritual vocation based on Islamic teachings and the values of the Khadriya Tariqa. He prayed for the strengthening of fraternity, peace, and solidarity within Mauritanian society and the Islamic Ummah. Aidara also prayed for the repose of the deceased Cheikh Aboubakrine and Ahmed Mahmoud Cheibany, whom he honored for their service to Islam and Muslims.
The Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh Foundation, led by Aidara, has participated in several international meetings organized in Africa, America, and Europe. In 2017, the foundation organized an international conference in Dakar, Senegal, dedicated to the works of Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh, which drew hundreds of participants. The foundation also marked the centenary of Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh's disappearance in 1917 with a congress in Nimjatt, Mauritania.
Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh, born in 1848 in the Hodh region of Mauritania, is considered a prominent spiritual figure in West African Islam. The Zawiya Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh in Nouakchott and other locations organize annual religious activities, including a commemoration of the Battle of Badr El Koubra and a meeting during Ramadan. These events aim to preserve and transmit the spiritual heritage of Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh and foster fraternity among the faithful.
The visit by Cheikh Atkana Aidara and his call for the revival of Zawiya Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh activities reflect the ongoing efforts to promote the spiritual legacy of Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh and strengthen community ties in Mauritania. The zawiya's activities and the foundation's initiatives demonstrate the importance of preserving and promoting Islamic heritage and values in the country.
Key points
- Cheikh Atkana Aidara calls for the revival of Zawiya Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh activities to promote spiritual growth and unity.
- The zawiya, located in Nouakchott, features a mosque and a mahadra open to all, and hosts annual religious activities.
- Cheikhna Cheikh Saad Bouh is a prominent spiritual figure in West African Islam, and his legacy continues to inspire communities in Mauritania and beyond.
