Darou Hidjiratou (also spelled Darou Hijratou or Darou Idjiratou) is a village and zone in
Bonconto Commune,
Bonconto Arrondissement,
Vélingara Department of
Kolda Region
Kolda is a region of Senegal (regional capitals have the same name as their respective regions). The region is also referred to historically and popularly as Haute Casamance.
It's one of the 14 regions of the country and is located in the South ...
in south
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤠(Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤠ðž ...
. As a major center of
Shia Islam in Senegal
Shia Islam in Senegal is practiced small number of Senegalese people, as well as by the Lebanese community in Senegal.
Background
According to historian Alioune Badiane, Shia Islam has been present in Senegal for many centuries, and can be traced ...
, it is home to the Al Hassanayni Grand Mosque of Darou Hidjiratou, the largest mosque in
Bonconto Arrondissement.
Darou Hijiratou Zone is made up of 8 villages: Darou Hijiratou (Darou Idjiratou), Amanatoulaye, Fass, Afia, Pakinia Sinthiang, Pakinia Paoundé, Hamdalaye Kouta, Moundou Sankoulé. Darou Hijiratou village has approximately 1,580 persons (year 2010).
Notable people
The village is locally well known as the birthplace of a prominent
Shi'i Muslim family in
Senegal
Senegal,; Wolof: ''Senegaal''; Pulaar: 𞤅𞤫𞤲𞤫𞤺𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤠(Senegaali); Arabic: السنغال ''As-Sinighal'') officially the Republic of Senegal,; Wolof: ''Réewum Senegaal''; Pulaar : 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤠ðž ...
, including
Bonconto Commune leader Cherif Habib Aidara and his brother
Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara
Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara is a Senegalese-Mauritanian Shia religious leader who is known for his work on international development in West Africa. He is one of the primary Shia religious figures in Senegal and West Africa.
Early life and family ...
, founder of the international NGO
Mozdahir
Mozdahir (also known as the ''Mozdahir International Institute''; French name: Institut Mozdahir International or IMI) is an international non-governmental organization based in Dakar, Senegal.
Overview
It has branches in different African countr ...
.
The village was named Darou Hidjiratou (Dar El Hijra, 'the house of immigration') by
Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara, the father of
Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara
Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara is a Senegalese-Mauritanian Shia religious leader who is known for his work on international development in West Africa. He is one of the primary Shia religious figures in Senegal and West Africa.
Early life and family ...
.
As a pilgrimage site, it is also where Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara is buried.
Pilgrimage site
Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara, the founder of the village, is buried in Darou Hidjiratou. Every year, thousands of people visit his tomb for prayers.
See also
*
Nadjaf Al Ashraf (Senegal)
References
{{coord, 13, 02, N, 13, 52, W, display=title, region:SN_type:city_source:GNS-enwiki
Populated places in Kolda Region