At the initiative of the Directorate of Religious Affairs and the Integration of Arabic Language Graduates, a brainstorming session on "The Role of Religious Discourse in Consolidating Citizenship and Social Cohesion: The Contribution of Traditional Chiefdoms" opened in Saly. For three days, traditional authorities, religious leaders, and state representatives will discuss the role of Senegalese spiritual capital in nation building.

The Bour Sine, Niokhobaye Fatou Diène Diouf, King of Sine, delivered a message full of wisdom, recalling that Senegal, a land of hospitality and tolerance, has always known how to bring together Islam, Christianity and traditional beliefs in a fruitful dialogue.

But "today, our social fabric is weakening. Hate speech is spreading and young people are struggling to rediscover a sense of civic responsibility. It is in this context that religious voice and customary speech must once again become moral, educational and civic benchmarks," warns the sovereign of Sine.

For him, religious discourse in Senegal goes beyond the spiritual: it is a social cement and an instrument of national cohesion. Evoking large gatherings such as the Magal of Touba, the Gamou, or the pilgrimage of Popenguine, Bour Sine emphasized their importance in reaffirming the values of unity and mutual respect.

"Religious leaders often intervene as mediators in social or political crises. In Sine, the Maad a Sinig dialogues with the Saltigué, the Serigne, the Imams, the priests and the heads of lineages for the maintenance of peace and human dignity," he recalled.

The King of Sine also illustrated the role of traditional chiefdoms in social mediation, citing interventions by the Sine royal cell at Cheikh Anta Diop University and in Ndiohine to ease community tensions. "Peace cannot be decreed; it is built day after day through collective wisdom," he insisted.

In the face of the excesses observed on social media, he called for a pedagogy of religious discourse based on moderation and responsibility, while advocating for ongoing collaboration between the state, religious authorities, and traditional chiefdoms. "Where the word is sacred, peace remains," he confided.

Speaking, the Minister of Education, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, praised the vision of the President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye, who gave instructions for holding this meeting.

According to him, the Head of State understood that "Senegal's spiritual capital is an essential foundation to support the country's development and systemic transformation efforts. No nation has been achieved without a strong civic spirit. Religious figures can validly contribute to this effort of development, education, and transformation."

Mr. Guirassy also spoke of the need for learning and inclusive governance, where all components of the nation, religious, traditional and civic, participate in building the common good.

Professor Djim Dramé, Director of Religious Affairs and the Integration of Arabic Language Graduates, emphasized that “religious leaders are educators and humanists.” He reiterated the government’s commitment to further involving religious leaders and traditional leaders in strengthening community life.

"The role of marabouts, imams, priests, and traditional leaders is to teach, educate, train, socialize, moralize, and humanize. We want to achieve a unifying, responsible, and constructive religious discourse that promotes tolerance and rejects all forms of discrimination," he says.

This national seminar is expected to produce strong recommendations to strengthen social peace, national cohesion, and responsible citizenship. In a global context marked by divisions, Senegal is thus reaffirming its model of interreligious dialogue and shared spiritual governance, where the words of the wise remain the foundation of the nation.