Layene

The Layene Brotherhood is a religious sect of Sufi Muslims based in Senegal and founded by Seydina Limamou Laye. It is notable for its belief that their leader is the Mahdi (who they believe is the reincarnation of Muhammad).

The Layene is a religious sect open to all Muslim but consists mostly of the Lebou ethnicity who live in fishing communities on the Cap-Vert or Cape Verde peninsula north of Dakar, Senegal. The Layene brotherhood is the third largest of the Muslim brotherhoods of Senegal. Their spiritual leader is known as the Khalif, who also has broad authority over temporal matters in the Layene quarter of the town of Yoff, Senegal. Yoff is home to the Khalif, an elaborate mosque, the mausoleum of its founder, and of several of his descendants. There is also a notable Layene mosque in Cambérèrene, Senegal.

Despite its name of "brotherhood [confrérie]", the Layene Brotherhood includes women. The top religious leadership is restricted to the male descendants of the founder, Seydina Limamou Laye.

The Layene Brotherhood was founded in 1884 by Seydina Limamou Laye who was an uneducated man from the Lebou ethnic group, and a fisherman . He claimed to be the Mahdi, an Islamic messianic figure, who is the reincarnation of the prophet Muhammad. He claimed his son, Seydina Issa Rouhou Laye, was the second coming of Jesus. He attracted a following among the Lebou and the Walo-Walo that led to a routinized spiritual dynasty.

Khalifs of the Layene Brotherhood:

1. Seydina Issa Rouhou Laye, 1909-1949

2. Seydina Mandione Laye, 1949-1971

3. Seydina Issa Laye II, 1971-1987

4. Mame Alassane Laye, 1987-2001

5. Cherif Abdoulaye Thiaw,Laye 2001–present

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