Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Sy Al Makhtoum, the memory of a timeless man March 15, 2017-March 15, 2026. Nine years already since Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Sy Al Makhtoum is no more. Son of Serigne Babacar Sy and Sokhna Astou Kane, Serigne Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Sy Al Maktoum distinguished himself by his extraordinary personality. He was at the…
March 15, 2017-March 15, 2026. Nine years already since Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Sy Al Makhtoum is no more. Son of Serigne Babacar Sy and Sokhna Astou Kane, Serigne Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane Sy Al Maktoum distinguished himself by his extraordinary personality. He was at the same time an intellectual, a man of commitment and a builder of bridges between religious, political and social worlds.
Born on December 29, 1925 from the union between Serigne Babacar Sy and Sokhna Astou Kane, he was, from his birth, marked by a singularity. He came into the world with his first name. He tells it himself: “When I came into the world, in Saint-Louis, Mame Abdou Aziz Sy Dabakh thought that I would bear her name. But, Serigne Babacar Sy replied: “The founder of the brotherhood wants the child to bear his name.” This is how he was named Cheikh Ahmed Tidiane, the Seal of “waliyou” (close to Allah).
Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Sy Al Maktoum, claimed disciple of his father and grandfather, Seydi El Hadji Malick Sy, distinguished himself very early on for his taste for knowledge and critical thinking. Thus, he never limited himself to religious sciences, opening himself to the intellectual and political debates of his time. In the public space, Serigne Cheikh, recalls Doudou Kende Mbaye’s brother, defended a broad vision of citizenship.
His reflections on negritude and the role of religion in the city remain engraved in memories. On the status of women, Serigne Cheikh also decided: “The problem of the emancipation of women is a false problem. Islam was at the forefront of its liberation.”
However, this intellectual contribution on the part of the religious guide was complemented by a vigorous engagement in the political and social space. This is how he participated in the creation of the Senegalese Islamic Association, then the National Federation of Tidiane Dahiras.
Political commitment
Apart from his religious commitment, Serigne Cheikh Tidiane Sy Al Makhtoum was also known in the political sphere. Opposing Léopold Sédar Senghor after independence, he briefly created the Senegalese Solidarity Party (PSS) and was imprisoned in 1959, demonstrating a posture of refusal in the face of temporal power. He considered politics as an “art” requiring integrity, often describing political politics as a simple “ruse”.
Close to figures like Jamal Abdel Nasser, he defended real economic independence and criticized neocolonial influences. He founded the Moustarchidina wal Moustarchidaty (guided) movement, structuring Tidjan youth towards spirituality and civic engagement.
Al Maktoum was a charismatic guide who, although far removed from the direct management of state affairs, profoundly influenced the Senegalese political debate through his speeches on justice and morality. But today, he remains this eloquent guide whose preaching continues to inspire several generations.
YEAR
