Darou Hidjiratou


Darou Hidjiratou 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.
Darou Hijiratou Zone is made up of 8 villages: Darou Hijiratou, Amanatoulaye, Fass, Afia, Pakinia Sinthiang, Pakinia Paoundé, Hamdalaye Kouta, Moundou Sankoulé. Darou Hijiratou village has approximately 1,580 persons.

Notable people

The village is locally well-known as the birth place 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.
The village was named Darou Hidjiratou by Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara, the father of Cherif Mohamed Aly Aidara. As a pilgrimage site, it is also where Cherif Al-Hassane Aidara is buried.

Pilgrimage site

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