Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Literary Grand Prize: Abdou Lahad Guèye and Abdoul Ahad Moustapha Lo distinguished

On the occasion of the Magal of Touba 2026, Mouride literature takes a new step with the first edition of the Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Literary Grand Prize, an initiative supported by the Association of Mouride Writers (AEM), recently renamed Az-Zummratul Moukhtârûne by the Caliph General of the Mourides.

Organized on July 30, 2026 in Touba, with the support of its main partner, Touba Ca Kanam, this first edition recognized two authors in the French and Arabic categories. Abdou Lahad Guèye won the First Prize for French Mouride Literature, while Abdoul Ahad Moustapha Lo was awarded the First Prize for Arabic Literature.

The two winners were decided by a jury of fifteen personalities recognized for their expertise in different fields, notably theology, literature, philosophy and the human sciences. Among the members of the jury were Professor Mouhamadou Galaye, Djiby Diakhaté, Serigne Khadim Mbacké Abbas and Dr Cheikh Guèye, alongside other specialists.

Two works distinguished for their contribution to Mouride thought

The distinctions were awarded following deliberations based on several criteria, including the scientific quality of the works, their originality, methodological rigor, their contribution to knowledge as well as their editorial qualities.

Read also: Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Literary Grand Prize: Abdou Lahad Gueye crowned for “Al Mashrabu’ Ç-Çâfî”

In French Mouride literature, the prize went to Abdou Lahad Guèye for his work Al Mashrabu’ç-çafi: Mouride readings and mediations, devoted to major questions linked to spirituality.

The First Prize for Arabic Literature was, for its part, awarded to Abdoul Ahad Moustapha Lo for his work translated into French under the title The Spiritual Construction of Contemporary Man through the Exegeses of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba.

Through these two awards, the jury intends to highlight work that contributes to research, intellectual reflection and the transmission of the teachings of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba.

An initiative intended to be long-term

Chaired by Serigne Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké, son of Serigne Mountakha Bassirou Mbacké, the Association of Mouride Writers works in the fields of knowledge, scientific research, letters and intellectual production. Its ambition is in particular to contribute, through writing and publishing, to a better dissemination of the teachings of the founder of Mouridism.

Present during this first edition, Serigne Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Mbacké insisted on the scope of the initiative, which he considers to be an important step forward for the cultural, literary and intellectual life of Mouridiya. He also expressed the association’s desire to perpetuate and develop this prize over the years.

For his part, Abba Mbaye, president of the scientific commission of the Elite Men of Letters of Mouridiya, welcomed the success of this first edition. He thanked the participants and underlined the quality of the works submitted for appreciation by the jury.

With this Literary Grand Prize, the Mouridiya intends to give a more important place to research and literary creation. This initiative also reflects the desire of its cultural actors to make the pen a privileged means of transmitting the teachings of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba and to contribute to the intellectual, cultural and spiritual influence of the brotherhood.

CG DIOP