On the occasion of the third anniversary of the death of Imam Alioune Badara Ndao (September 6, 2022 - September 6, 2025), Mame Makhtar Guèye, emblematic figure of the NGO JAMRA, gave a moving testimony on his last meetings with the late religious guide.

Historic reunion after prison ordeal

The leader of JAMRA remembers with emotion that Sunday, July 22, 2018, when Oustaz Abdoulaye Ndao, the Imam's younger brother, sent him this message: "Imam Ndao would like to meet you, before returning to Saloum." The man had just regained his freedom after 2 years and 9 months of incarceration, which Mame Makhtar Guèye describes as unjust.

JAMRA, first to defend the Imam

In his testimony sent to Seneweb, the head of JAMRA proudly recalls that his organization was "the first Senegalese Islamic NGO to immediately take action, on October 29, 2015, three days after the violent arrest of Imam Ndao." JAMRA then denounced live on television the scandalous arrest of the man who was accused of being "in collusion with jihadist movements."

A man who remained faithful to his values

The reunion at the "Térou-bi" Hotel on the Corniche-Ouest reveals an Imam Ndao "radiant with energy," in the words of Mame Makhtar Guèye. Despite his prison ordeal, the religious leader had retained his "disconcerting modesty" and his "strength of soul in all trials," coupled with an "intellectual generosity that always commands admiration."

A generous and committed patriot

The testimony highlights a little-known facet of the Imam: his patriotism and generosity toward the Senegalese state. Mame Makhtar Guèye reveals that "this great modern scholar generously offered the Senegalese state 10,000 m² of land for the construction of a modern school in the Ngane-Extension neighborhood of Kaolack." This gesture constituted "a resounding rebuttal to those who were spreading rumors about his connections with the Islamist sect Boko Haram."

Although recently released, Imam Alioune Badara Ndao was "more determined than ever to continue his fight in defense of noble causes." He expressed his desire to "strengthen his partnership with JAMRA," an organization to which he expressed "in person all his affection" for having been "on the front lines very early on to raise public awareness."

Constant support despite pressures

Mame Makhtar Guèye emphasizes that JAMRA had maintained its "constant posture of indignation and alert, publicly denouncing this injustice", even during "the most uncertain phases of the evolution of this case, which the French authorities were following very closely".

A final tribute from the heart

The leader of JAMRA concludes his testimony with a prayer: "May Allah cover with His Mantle of Mercy the generous Imam Ndao, who taught us a lot." He expresses his gratitude to the one he affectionately calls "Mujahidul Kabir" (the Great Fighter), believing that he "always recited well under the benevolent gaze of this Great Rigorous Preacher."