During our first and second visits, we observed in some of those countries a profound isolation affecting both the preachers and their call. Their situation closely resembled that of the Companions when they gathered in the house of al-Arqam ibn Abī al-Arqam, before Umar and Hamzah embraced Islam—may Allah be pleased with them both—while the call was still in its infancy and conducted in secret. They feared for their lives and feared that the call would be crushed—a call labelled “the Wahhabi call.” How closely the present resembles the past!

On our third visit last summer, however, Umar and Hamzah had both embraced Islam: the call was secure, fear had vanished, and the preachers no longer feared for themselves or their mission. Indeed, they pursued it earnestly, building mosques for Friday and congregational prayers, establishing schools, and founding associations called “the Muhammadan Association,” “the Association of Ahl al-Sunnah,” or similar names, varying from country to country.

We observed among the Sunni preachers high spirits, firm resolve, and a spirit of striving and sacrifice, despite their lack of material and educational resources. In fact, they are more active and sincere in their call than many who possess vast material and educational resources. Allah is the One whose help is sought.

At this point you may wonder—and it falls to me to answer—through whose efforts this progress has been achieved for the Sunni preachers and their call in some West African countries.

The answer is that several groups have contributed to this work.

First: junior students of Islamic knowledge from the continent who spent some time in the Two Holy Sanctuaries and studied under some of the teachers in