Senegalese Culture and Community in America

June 1-4, 2003
Los Angeles, California
Contact: Los Angeles Foreign Press Center, (310) 235-7693, fpcla@cruznet.net

A group of Senegalese journalists visited Los Angeles for four days to attend "A Saint in the City—Sufi Arts of Urban Senegal" art exhibition at UCLA Fowler Museum. This exhibition, the largest and unprecedented showcase of Senegalese culture in America, featured the life of Amadou Bamba, a Muslim saint and spiritual leader of the Sufi ‘Mouride Way’ which expounds the principles of pacifism and hard work. LAFPC staff accompanied the group for programming, following the exhibition, to meet representatives of the Southern California Association of Senegal, LA Fashion District, The African Times, LA Press Club and other local and international media outlets. During the visit, the group visited a small mosque in the heart of Santee Alley frequented by Senegalese merchants as well as major Los Angeles tourist landmarks.