Moors Visit
Sitting cross-legged together on my cement porch on a 2-meter length of plastic weave mat, my good White Moor Arab friend and I sipped strong Arabic tea and debated the day's newspaper topics. That day a city somewhere in the Middle East had been attacked with the usual violence and senseless destruction.
My friend Muhammad*, an honest, hardworking family man in his mid-40s, was distraught. "How can these people hurt little children?” he asked. “These men must be mad.”
As a foreigner from the West and a guest in his country, I did not feel free to share my own thoughts—some of which he might find offensive. Instead I asked, "What motivates such people to do evil or good?"
Muhammad loved this question. We shared many days drinking sugary tea and discussing it. We are still searching together for the answer.
What was my gain in all the cups of tea? A true friend. I would trust him with my life, my children, my wife and any of my possessions. Extremely poor with no permanent job, he is not a member of a favored clan and has limited family resources. But he remains a man of great integrity. I am proud and honored to call him "sadiiqy," my friend.
Mauritanians are a deep, sensitive people. Their rich poetry is witness to their depth of feeling, sharp wit and mature culture. Give them time to believe and trust in you and you will discover their richness. If you doubt my words, come then and drink a few glasses of tea with me and my friend, Muhammad.
* Not his real name
Moors of Senegal
I was privileged, along with a driver and Wolof interpreter, to
visit the Moors living along the Senegal River, the southern border of their homeland. Our guide led us through a sugar cane plantation to a small Moor village of 200 people.
The village seemed prosperous. Most of the houses were built with cement blocks, and a new school was under construction. The chief was pleased to meet us and took us to a vacant house to officially receive us. He gave us permission to move through the village and take pictures and even assigned a young man as our tour guide.
The people seemed contented and happy. At one of the compounds, the tour guide introduced us to his parents. Then we walked along an irrigation ditch toward the village rice fields. The rice was headed out, and children were assigned to each field to drive away the birds that wanted their share too. Rice appears to be the primary crop.
A young boy was fishing in the irrigation ditch flowing with water from the Senegal River. As we walked by, he caught a fish and immediately held it up for a picture. In the same irrigation ditch, women washed clothes, enjoying the opportunity for a visit.
Men were molding cement blocks for the new school while the teachers oversaw work on a temporary classroom. Women were busy preparing a midday meal.
Across the road, several fishing boats were docked in a canal leading to a nearby lake that supplies the villagers with fish.
An imam and his family live in the village, although there is no official mosque. The Moors of Senegal are Sunni Muslims and have two recognized brotherhoods—the Qadiri and Tajani. There are no known Christians among the Moors, but a few have been introduced to the gospel and are seekers.
The Moors are obviously a proud people, self-sufficient and industrious. I was amazed at their openness and hospitality. Yet they are hesitant to accept the good news of the Kingdom. The timing seems right for the Lord to assert His power and glory to validate His message of redeeming grace and for seekers to become believers in Jesus Christ.