Wooden boad on wich talibe children learn

Daara is the title used in Senegal to designate the traditional

Quranic schools Madrasa (, also , ; Arabic: مدرسة , pl. , ) is the Arabic word for any type of educational institution, secular or religious (of any religion), whether for elementary instruction or higher learning. The word is variously transliterated '' ...

that have ensured for centuries that Islamic education was well spread out in all segments of population in the West African countries. Daara often implement physical punishment, which to many West African Muslims is considered to be an important part of the education process. The denomination conveys a very controversial portrait depending on the understanding one has of their usefulness in social progress. There have been frequent reports of abuse and "contemporary slavery" by organizations such as XALAAT and the United Nations. These reports include accusations of financial exploitation and ill-treatment of child beggars called

talibe A talibé (also spelled ''talibe'', plural ''talibés''; ar, طالب, ṭālib, seeker, 'student'; pl. ) is a boy, usually from Senegal, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Chad, Mali or Mauritania, who studies the Quran at a daara (West ...

. Many talibe in Senegal deliberately self-harm so they will need medical attention and be removed from the daaras.

References

{{Authority control Sufism Society of Senegal Islamic education Islamic terminology Madrasas Education in Africa