Third only to Nouakchott and
Nouadhibou, Matamoulana is the place, in Mauritania, that hosts the
greatest number of Spanish and other nationals. It
is known, hitherto, as a high place of
Qur’anic studies and of the Tariqa Tijaniyya, spearheaded by the Sheikh
El Haj Mishry, a prominent Muqaddim of the late Sheikh Ibrahima Niass of
kaolak, Senegal.
People from all parts of
Africa, including Senegal, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and the Central African
Republic stay in the village to experience a pristine Islam and engage
in an in-depth study of Islamic Sciences along with Sufism, the Islamic
mysticism, if they so wish. They are all equally partaking in the
village life as full members of the community, on an equal footing.
There are already a dozen or so
Spanish students from Andalusia, who are studying the Qur’an in the
village and others are preparing to join them. Consequently, given the
current growth in the global number of students from Europe, South
America and elsewhere, there has gradually developed a problem of
housing. However, the importance of the Spanish community in Matamoulana,
has given rise to the concept of a “Guest house”. A big lot has already
been placed at the disposal of the project by the Sheikh
El Haj Mishry. A committee has also
been set up, with intent to reflecting on a suitable housing project
that would be able to enhance the comfort of the children and cater to
their specific needs, given the prevailing harsh desert conditions they
have to endure.
The climate of
Matamoulana is hot and dry. During the hot season, the temperature can
rise up to 45 degrees in the shadow, and the traditional tin roofs can
quickly act as heat conductors, in most houses.
This guesthouse, acting
as a platform of exchange will be a dynamic, collective space that will
allow students from various origins to share a common setting for their
accommodation, education, cultural exchange and catering, all with
common classrooms, a library, a Creative and a Multimedia Centre. In
addition, there will be sufficiently ventilated rooms, well-equipped
kitchens and suitable shower rooms. The house will be built with a
concrete roof and tiles in anticipation of the hot season. While
protecting the students from unnecessary roaming, this type of set up
will certainly maximise the time devoted to common activities and go a
long way towards catering for the well-being of the students.
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