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| Entering Senegal's holy city, Touba and the focal point of the Mouride Sufi brotherhood. This is the place where the Mourids' leader, Cheikh Amadou Bamba lived. |
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| As women, we had to cover our heads and shoulders while we were in the city, especially around the mosque. This was unfortunate as it was a very hot, windy day as one can clearly see from my makeshift hijab blowing in my face. |
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| As non-Muslims, we couldn't go inside the actual mosque, but we could tour the outside areas (shoe-less, of course). It was the most beautiful building in Senegal, and one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. I can't imagine what it's like when it is filled with people praying. |
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| The windows and tile work is so ornate |
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| Lamp Fall, the tallest tower. It was also the first to be built in the 1930s. Apparently there is a red light at the top that is a beacon for all Senegal's Muslim population. |
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| The mosque with a person for scale (thanks, Warren). The construction is ongoing and funded by donations - often from the little talibes bowls. The brotherhood has a huge network of connections, especially control over peanut plantations. |
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| Touba is so clean compared with most places in Senegal. It's jarring to see the beggars just outside when everything else seems so sterile. |
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