Shaka Babs and Lady Wiko plead for the return of professions to the daaras September 20, 2026

Learn the Koran while mastering a profession to better prepare for the future. This is the plea made by Shaka Babs and Lady Wiko in their next single entitled “DIANGAL LEEN”. Through this title, the two artists call out the need to combine religious education and professional training in the daaras.

“Every child must learn the Koran while mastering a profession, to prepare them for a better future,” proclaim Shaka Babs and Lady Wiko. For both artists, the transmission of religious knowledge would benefit from being accompanied by practical learning allowing young people to have, as adults, an activity and a source of income.

They warn in particular of the difficulties that young people from daaras may face when they do not have any professional qualifications. “Mastering the Koran without any training and wanting to earn a living often leads one to engage in maraboutage, to destroy lives for money, or to fall into delinquency,” they believe.

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An observation which fuels their call to rethink the support of children attending Koranic schools. With “DIANGAL LEEN”, which means “Teach them” in Wolof, Shaka Babs and Lady Wiko propose to put career training back at the heart of the education of talibés. They are particularly inspired by traditional models of daaras, like those of the Colycounda family from Albadar or the late Arc Souleymane Sané from Mangoulène, where learning the Koran could go hand in hand with that of a profession.

Reintegrate the professions in the daaras

Agriculture, livestock breeding, masonry and even carpentry were part of the know-how passed on to young people. For both artists, this approach helped prepare children for their autonomy and their integration into working life.

Beyond a simple musical piece, “DIANGAL LEEN” is intended to be a message of awareness about the future of daara children. Shaka Babs and Lady Wiko wish to highlight a model that combines spirituality, know-how and economic autonomy.

Through their music, they launch a cry from the heart: learn the Koran, yes, but also give each child the means to build their future with dignity.

YEAR