October 2024 - I noticed a group of men who gathered on the same Harlem corner every night. They spent hours talking, eating, and simply being together.

Who are they?

At first, I found myself becoming cautious, even a bit wary. When I finally stepped into their circle, I discovered they were Baye Fall - subgroup of the Mouride brotherhood from Senegal.

As they let me follow their journey - from shelter to home, from informal work to formal jobs - I came to see how deeply ethical they were, guided by the word of Allah and the teachings of Mouridism. Their nightly gatherings weren’t about leisure; they were acts of solidarity, moments of faith, and mutual support through the hardships of building a new life in America.