In Gran Canaria, a gathering of Senegalese teenagers offers solace amid the challenges of their migration journey. These young asylum seekers, mostly talibes of the Mouride Sufi order, come together for spiritual and communal support, overcoming the harsh conditions of their detention centres. In 2024, nearly 47,000 migrants arrived in the Canary Islands through perilous routes, with many fleeing economic hardships in Senegal. The presence of the Mouride brotherhood provides them with a sense of identity and continuity, highlighting their resilience and hopes for a better future in Europe.
"We feel like we're back in Senegal when we come here," says Mame Diarra, 18, reflecting on the comfort and sense of community found in the Gran Canaria gathering.
More of the country's young people are leaving the west African country because of a dearth of jobs. Most want to make more money in Europe, but asylum systems abroad, particularly in the Canaries, are overwhelmed.
The mosque in the Gran Canaria dahira holds a photo of Amadou Bamba, the revered founder of the Mouride brotherhood, who preached non-violent resistance against colonisation.
Nearly 47,000 people reached the Spanish archipelago in 2024 via the increasingly deadly Atlantic migration route from Africa, with significant numbers being Senegalese asylum seekers.
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