Thiès: The Omarian family calls for the revitalization of moral and spiritual values to shape a more just and responsible society

Several thousand pilgrims are expected in Thiès on November 6 and 7 for the 2026 edition of the great annual Ziarra dedicated to the late general khalifa Thierno Habibou Mountaga Daha Cheikhou Oumar Foutiyou Tall.

The Omarian family of Thiès took the opportunity of a press conference held in the lead-up to the religious event to reiterate the significance of the gathering, which they described as a moment of fraternity, collective prayer, and strengthening of community ties. Each day is designed to offer the faithful a framework for meditation, faith, and spiritual unity, faithful to the teachings and vision of Sheikh Oumar Foutiyou Tall.

Reading the Holy Quran will be central to the program of this religious event. Caliph Thierno Mountaga Habibou Tall indicated that the event, which is both religious and cultic because it focuses on heritage and education, promises to be an exceptional opportunity to bring together the faithful and scholars around the fundamental values emphasized by the Umarite tradition.

The program for this 2026 edition includes an international symposium, scheduled to take place in the auditorium of Iba Der Thiam University in Thiès, on the life and work of El Hadj Oumar Foutiyou Tall. Renowned academics and researchers will be the main speakers. November 7th will also be an exceptional day dedicated to the reading of the Holy Quran, followed by the official ceremony presided over by the Caliph General of the Omarian family, Thierno Mouhamadou Bachir Tall, at 6:00 PM.

Thierno Mountaga Habibou Tall pledged to mobilize all possible resources to ensure the success of these Ziarra days, which aim to transmit to younger generations the values of ethics and integrity bequeathed by their ancestors. "The challenges of our time, with the rise in delinquency and violence, require a strong educational response. We have a responsibility to guide these young people so that they can find their way amidst the complexities of our modern society," declared the Caliph.

The family spokesperson, Thierno Makhtar Tall, emphasizing the importance of revisiting moral and spiritual values to shape a more just and responsible society, stressed the legacy of Thierno Seydou Nourou Tall, who played a pivotal role in introducing the story of El Hadj Oumar Foutiyou Tall into the school curriculum. He expressed the urgent need to reclaim this history and pass it on to new generations, rather than allowing others to exploit it for their own agendas.

Professor Ibrahima Thiam, president of the symposium's scientific committee, advocated for raising awareness of this great man's numerous contributions to science and culture. He encouraged the collection and publication of manuscripts and other historical documents related to El Hadj Oumar Foutiyou Tall, a representative of a legacy that deserves to be celebrated for its true worth.