El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé, also known as Diansoumana Karamokè or Karamo Solo, is a renowned Guinean Islamic scholar. Originally from Kankan, in the region of Upper Guinea, this 40-year-old man has forged a reputation that has crossed the borders of his home country thanks to his eloquent sermons, his quick-acting blessings, and his fierce fight to promote Islam in Guinea and neighbouring countries in West Africa.
Son of another great scholar, El Hadj Ansoumane Sidibé, he founded the association Nourdine Islam in 2009 with the aim of promoting Islam and contributing to sustainable social development, a mission that has earned him many international distinctions, including the title of Ambassador of Peace awarded by UNESCO.
Introduction
El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé, better known as Diansoumana Karamokè or Karamo Solo, is a renowned Guinean Islamic scholar. Originally from Kankan, in the region of Upper Guinea, he made himself known through his sermons, blessings and his struggle for the promotion of Islam in the West African subregion. His atypical journey and remarkable actions make him a respected and influential figure in the religious landscape of Guinea and neighbouring countries.
Education
Born in a family of literates and religious dignitaries, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé bathed from an early age in an environment conducive to the acquisition of Islamic knowledge. His father, El Hadj Ansoumane Sidibé, known as Diankana Karamokè, was a scholar known for his prayers and blessings. It was from him that the young Souleymane received the foundations of his religious education, thus receiving a rich and authentic education.
Religious journey
As a teenager, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé demonstrated a deep interest in Islam and an insatiable thirst for knowledge. After completing his studies with his father, he continued his training with other renowned scholars in the Kankan region, thus strengthening his skills in various branches of Islam, such as theology, jurisprudence, and Koranic exegesis.
In 2009, he founded the association Nourdine Islam, whose main objective was to promote Islam and contribute to sustainable social development. This association quickly gained popularity and influence, spreading to all the prefectures of Guinea, as well as to several countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia.
Charitable actions
Beyond his role as a spiritual guide, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé has also illustrated himself by his charitable actions and social commitment. He organized numerous meetings of prayer and blessing, bringing together considerable crowds of Muslim faithful who came to seek advice, comfort and guidance from him.
His sermons and blessings have had a significant impact on peoples, helping them to overcome their difficulties and regain hope. He has also been a fervent promoter of peace and social cohesion, constantly calling on political leaders and citizens to cultivate tolerance and coexistence.
Nourdine Islam
Nourdine Islam is an association founded in 2009 by El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé with the aim of promoting Islam and working for sustainable social development in Guinea and the West African subregion. This organization quickly became an important carrier of the radiation of the Kankan scholar, spreading to all the prefectures of Guinea, as well as to several countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia.
It was under the banner of Nourdine Islam that El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé began in 2013 a large national tour of sermons and blessings that led him to the regions of Upper Guinea and Forest Guinea. Hundreds of thousands of Muslim believers have come to listen to his messages and receive his precious blessings. This success led to his claim in 2014 in Fouta Djallon and Lower Guinea, where the stadiums were attacked by human tides that encountered him.
Tours
But the influence of El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé was not limited to Guinea's borders. In 2014 still, he made a one-month tour of Mali, where his sermons convinced thousands of people to abandon the idols and fetishes they worshiped for centuries. More than 7,000 such objects have been publicly destroyed thanks to the persuasive force of his words.
The year 2015 marked a turning point in the international recognition of the Guinean scholar. Following the remarkable success of his Mali tour, he was invited by UNESCO to the United States and elevated to the rank of Ambassador of Peace in West Africa. The White House and other institutions have also awarded him awards for his fight against animist practices.
With this new stature, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé then made a one-month European tour in 2015 that took him to Morocco, France, Switzerland and Spain, spreading his message of peace, tolerance and promotion of Islam everywhere.
Controversies
Despite his popularity and positive influence, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé was not spared by controversy. Some of his sermons and actions have caused criticism and controversy, from some local religious authorities.
In 2020, for example, the prefect of Kankan temporarily banned his religious activities, accusing him of violating preventive measures against the spread of COVID-19. This decision caused strong reactions from its supporters, but was eventually lifted a few months later.
Awards and recognition
The remarkable actions of El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé have earned him many distinctions and recognitions, both nationally and internationally. In 2015, he was invited by UNESCO to the United States and was promoted to the rank of Ambassador of Peace in West Africa, in recognition of his work for the promotion of peace and culture.
The White House and other international institutions have also awarded him awards for his fight against animist practices and his commitment to Islam. These awards testify to the positive impact of its activities and the recognition it enjoys beyond the borders of Guinea.
Private life
Although very present on the public stage, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé remains relatively discreet about his private life. It is known, however, that he came from a line of religious scholars and that he is the son of El Hadj Ansoumane Sidibé, a respected dignitary of the Kankan region.
El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibéined close relations with Mamadi Doumbouya, the president of the Guinea Transition. One of his close collaborators, Lancinè Hawa Doumbouya, initiated a program to reward the best students of the public and private schools of Kankan, naming the prizes after the scholar in recognition of his benevolent actions.
This proximity to the power in place has sometimes been a source of criticism and speculation, some questioning the scholar's independence and neutrality. However, El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé has always affirmed his commitment to peace and stability in the country, and has regularly called for support for the transition process.
Conclusion
El Hadj Cheick Souleymane Sidibé is an iconic figure of Guinean and West African Islam. His atypical journey, dedication to the promotion of peace and Islamic culture, as well as his charitable actions make him an indispensable figure in the religious landscape of the region. Despite the controversy and polemics that may have paved its way, its influence and impact remain indisputable, both among local populations and on the international stage.
