The black African Islamic philosopher and Arabic grammarian, al-Wangari

Compiled By: Syed Ali Shahbaz
On July 7, 1593 AD, the black African Islamic philosopher and Arabic grammarian, Mohammad Bagayogo as-Sudani al-Wangari, passed away at the age of 70 in Timbuktu in Mali. He was the Sheikh and teacher of the highly esteemed scholar, Ahmed Baba at the Sankore Madrasah, one of three philosophical schools in Mali during West Africa's Islamic golden age (the other two were Sidi Yahya University and Jingaray Ber university).
A significant amount of his writings has been preserved in manuscript form in the Institute Ahmed Baba of Timbuktu. Some of the manuscripts found their way into French museums. A project is under way to digitalise these manuscripts which will lead to better understanding of the Islamic culture that flourished in Mali in the medieval period. Mohammed Bagayogo also has a place in Mali’s political history for his refusal to comply with Moroccan occupiers.