Darou Hidjiratou

Darou Hidjiratou (also spelled Darou Hijratou or Darou Idjiratou) is a village and zone in Bonconto Commune, Bonconto Arrondissement, Vélingara Department of Kolda Region in south Senegal. As a major center of Shia Islam in Senegal, it is home to the Al Hassanayni Grand Mosque of Darou Hidjiratou, the largest mosque in Bonconto Arrondissement.^[1]

Darou Hidjiratou Darou Hijratou
Village and Zone
Country	Senegal
Region	Kolda
Department	Vélingara
Arrondissement	Bonconto
Commune	Bonconto
Government
• Mayor	Cherif Habib Aidara
Population  (2010)
• Total	1,580
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)

Darou Hijiratou Zone is made up of 8 villages: Darou Hijiratou (Darou Idjiratou), Amanatoulaye, Fass, Afia, Pakinia Sinthiang, Pakinia Paoundé, Hamdalaye Kouta, Moundou Sankoulé. Darou Hijiratou village has approximately 1,580 persons (year 2010).^[2]

Notable people

The village is locally well known as the birthplace of a prominent Shi'i Muslim family in Senegal, including Bonconto Commune leader Cherif Habib Aidara and his brother Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara, founder of the international NGO Mozdahir.^[3][4]

The village was named Darou Hidjiratou (Dar El Hijra, 'the house of immigration') by Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara, the father of Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara.^[5] As a pilgrimage site, it is also where Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara is buried.

Pilgrimage site

Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara, the founder of the village, is buried in Darou Hidjiratou. Every year, thousands of people visit his tomb for prayers.

See also

• Nadjaf Al Ashraf (Senegal)