From November 17 to 24, 2024, a team of researchers embarked on an exploratory visit to Senegal as part of the project “The Role of Social Identities in Inter-Religious Arrangements: Comparative Perspectives on and from Sub-Saharan Africa,” organized by the Excellence Cluster on Religion and Politics of the University of Münster. This visit sought to deepen our understanding of interfaith dynamics in Senegal, a country often celebrated for its religious pluralism and culture of peaceful coexistence.
Dakar: Engaging Religious and Academic Institutions (November 17-21)
Our journey began in Dakar, Senegal’s vibrant capital and a crossroads of religious, political, and cultural influences. Here, we engaged with key religious and academic institutions shaping interfaith relations in the country. A highlight of our stay was a meeting with the Archbishop of Dakar, His Grace Benjamin Ndiaye, who welcomed us warmly and shared his insights on Christian-Muslim relations in Senegal. His reflections underscored the historical depth of interfaith collaboration in the country, where religious communities have long coexisted peacefully, often within the same families and neighborhoods. He emphasized the role of mutual respect, dialogue, and shared values in maintaining this harmony and the importance of religious leaders working together to address contemporary social challenges.
We also had the chance to visit the Islamic Institute of Dakar, a well-respected center for Islamic education and research. There, the head of the research department engaged us in discussions about Islamic teachings, interfaith dialogue, and the role of religious institutions in promoting societal cohesion. The visit offered a deeper understanding of how Islamic scholarship and religious leadership contribute to Senegal’s model of interfaith cooperation.
During our stay in Dakar, it became increasingly evident that Senegal’s religious pluralism is not only a historical legacy but also an ongoing social reality, actively supported by religious leaders, educators, and everyday citizens alike. The city’s diverse religious landscape, marked by churches, mosques, and Sufi shrines, served as a living testament to this tradition of coexistence.
Saint-Louis: A Historical and Reflective Engagement (November 21-24)
Leaving Dakar, we traveled north to Saint-Louis, a city with profound historical and religious significance. Once the capital of French West Africa, Saint-Louis remains an important cultural and intellectual hub, with a legacy shaped by colonial history, Islamic scholarship, and Catholic presence.
In Saint-Louis, we were hosted by Professor Abdourahmane Seck and his team from GAEC (Groupe d’Action et d’Étude Critique) at Université Gaston-Berger. Their hospitality and intellectual generosity enriched our experience, providing us with both historical context and contemporary perspectives on religion, identity, and interfaith dynamics in the region.
A key part of our stay involved immersing ourselves in the city’s historical and religious landscape. We visited significant sites that reflect the city’s layered history, from colonial-era churches and mosques to Sufi lodges that continue to shape religious life in the region. Walking through the city, we sought to “breathe in” its rhythms—to feel its spiritual and cultural currents and reflect on how interfaith interactions manifest in daily life.
This reflection culminated in a waaxtan, a conversation inspired by the Senegalese tradition of open and communal dialogue. Here, we shared our thoughts on what we had observed and learned, engaging in discussions on the intersections of faith, history, and identity in Saint-Louis. The waaxtan allowed us to collectively process the living reality of interfaith coexistence and to consider the broader implications of our findings for interreligious studies in Africa.
Key Insights and Reflections
Our research visit to Senegal illuminated several important themes regarding the role of social identities in interfaith arrangements:
The Senegalese Model of Religious Coexistence – Senegal is widely recognized for its culture of religious tolerance and collaboration, often encapsulated in the Wolof term Teranga (loosely translated as hospitality). Both in Dakar and Saint-Louis, we observed how Christian-Muslim relations are characterized by deep familial, social, and historical ties rather than mere institutional or doctrinal dialogues.
The Role of Religious Leaders in Fostering Dialogue – Both the Archbishop of Dakar and the scholars at the Islamic Institute emphasized that religious leaders play a crucial role in sustaining interfaith harmony. By engaging in dialogue, promoting shared values, and addressing societal issues together, they help maintain the country’s long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence.
Interfaith Dialogue Beyond Institutions – While formal dialogues and academic discussions are important, interfaith engagement in Senegal extends beyond structured events. It is woven into daily life, family dynamics, and community interactions. For example, it is common to find Christian and Muslim family members celebrating religious festivals together or attending one another’s life events.
The Importance of Historical and Cultural Contexts – Our visit to Saint-Louis underscored the significance of historical consciousness in understanding contemporary interfaith relations. Religious and social identities are deeply rooted in historical processes, from colonial encounters to Sufi traditions, and appreciating this historical depth is key to meaningful interfaith engagement.
Experiential Learning and Reflection – The approach of “breathing in the city” and then reflecting through interreligious conversations proved to be a powerful method for studying interfaith dynamics. It allowed us to move beyond theoretical discussions and engage with the lived realities of interfaith interactions.
Our exploratory visit to Senegal was a deeply enriching experience. It offered valuable insights into how social identities shape interreligious arrangements in an African context. By engaging with religious leaders, scholars, and local communities, we witnessed firsthand how Senegal’s model of religious pluralism functions in practice.
As the Centre for Interfaith Studies in Africa continues to explore new frontiers in interreligious research, this visit served as a compelling case study of how religious traditions can coexist, interact, and enrich one another in a shared social space. Senegal’s experience reminds us that interfaith dialogue is not only about theological discussions but also about everyday encounters, mutual respect, and a willingness to learn from one another.