REPORT

In Senegal, the Korité festival marked by the joy of reunions and calls for peace

Audio 01:22

Korité in Dakar, Senegal, in 2020. This holiday marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (illustration).

© John Wessels/AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

1 min

This Monday, May 2, is a public holiday in Senegal, as in many Muslim countries, for the Korité festival, or Aïd el Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

In the capital, a crowd of worshipers gathered on Monday morning at the Grand Mosque of Dakar.

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With our correspondent in Dakar,

Charlotte Idrac

From 9 a.m., the Great Mosque of Dakar is full.

Latecomers settle outside.

Mohammed, 22, is happy to be reunited after two years of restricted access due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“ 

I came here with friends to wish each other happiness and courage

.

»

After the prayer, some take pictures in front of the mosque, in elegant boubous.

“ 

There were lots of people inside, everywhere.

It's a magnificent image because with the Covid, it was not possible.

But this year, God made us happy.

 »

Ismaël Barry is preparing for a day of family visits: “ 

We discuss with the family and we also ask for forgiveness.

 “Pope Sy, he came as a neighbor, with a smile, even if the Korité is a little “ 

gloomy

 ” this year, according to him.

“ 

With the ups and downs in this world, we pray for everyone, for the war to end in Ukraine, for the conflicts in Africa to fade, especially for peace.

 »

Also coming to pray at the Grand Mosque, President Macky Sall called for a rapid return to peace in Ukraine on which "  

the economic and social stability of the world

 " will depend.

It's all of Africa that suffers and it's the whole world that suffers.

That is why we pray for a speedy return to peace in Ukraine.

Speech by President Macky Sall at the Grand Mosque of Dakar.

Charlotte Idrac

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  • Senegal

  • Religion