Affectionately called El Hadji Bara, he is the namesake of Serigne Muhamadu Lamine Bara MBACKE Ibn Khadimu-r-Rassul, for he came to this world when the latter was visiting Serigne Muhamadu Fadilou Mbacke. His father entrusted him to his namesake at an early age, who gave him an excellent education. Moreover he taught him the Quran and consequently calligraphy writing style.
From the same source his excellent training in religious sciences was completed. After spending many years with the later he returned to his father in order to follow his spiritual training. At 82 years old Serigne Bara is the sixth Caliph of Muridiyya since the passing of the late Serigne Saliou Mbacke ( May Allah increase his favors) on December 28th , 2oo8.
Following his father’s steps with regard to Serigne Touba, he traded in with him his filial bond with that of an exceptional disciple. He was his right-hand-man. He was also well known for his loving care and indescribable affection for his father and spiritual guide.
He became soon committed to his father’s service; he has played several roles as his official representative, or right hand man in many tasks requiring tact, honesty and commitment. He has performed several times the Umra (little pilgrimage) in Mecca, very fluent in Arabic and French, Serigne Bara is also well known for his insightfulness and open-mindedness.
He has a great spirit of organization; his skills have been put to the tests on several occasions as the leader of Serigne Fallou’s family. Very entrepreneurial, he was very close to Serigne Saliou and has been even been his chauffeur for seven years. In the same way he had tight relationships with Serigne Abdu Qadr Mbacke and would escort him to lead Friday mass prayer at the Grande Mosquee of Touba.
Serigne Muhamadu Lamine Bara was well renowned through his remarkable interventions in the farms of Serigne Saliou Mbacke in Khelcom, with his disciples and the entire family of Serigne Fallou Mbacke (clearing the fields, maintenance or harvesting). He is well known for his regular attendance of Friday Mass prayers at the Grande Mosquee since its grand opening of the on Friday June 7, 1963. His kind-heartedness, generosity and sincerity are well known.
Serigne Bara Mbacke is very attached to the family of Khadimu-r-Rassul and has great respect, gratitude and exemplary devotion for his predecessors and wants to be the worthy successor of the message of Serigne Touba.
Hard working and great unifier, Serigne Bara has always been working for the perpetuation of Shaykh Ahmadu Bamba legacy. Since he ascended the caliphate he took the Kazzu Rajab celebration to a more significant level, with the support of his brothers, family and disciples.
May Allah (SWT), by the grace of the Elected (Pbuh), the benediction of his illustrious grand-father Cheikhoul Khadim, and the Baraka (favors) of his spiritual master, Serigne Fallou Mbacke, give him a longer life and ultimately give a happy ending to all his projects.
Source: Serigne Modou Mamoune Niang (Touba Rajab 1424)