For many years, the late Serigne Mouhammadou Mourtada Mbacke Ibn Khadimou Rassoul had undertaken many actions to promote Islam throughout Senegal and beyond by establishing schools and educational and training institutes named “AL AZHAR INSTITUTES.” These institutes should be, from the investor’s perspective, autonomous in the way that they operate, create and generate financial resources to meet its investments and operating costs. Thus, a public transportation structure was created to, on one hand, relieve people who move from one point to another throughout Senegal, and on the other hand, provide resources for the operation of Al Azhar institutes which do not internally generate their own revenues to enable them cover the hosting costs of resident students, their room and board, teacher salaries, and other routine operating expenses (water, electricity and telephone bills). Indeed, this transportation company that has been popularly nicknamed "Carou Serigne Bi," suffered from management problems in its early days because of its high social character and therefore could not always meet all the regulatory and legal obligations laid upon public transportation providers. After the disappearance of the founder and promoter of the "Concept" Al Azhar, his family and followers, under the leadership and direction of his eldest son, Serigne Mame Mor Mbacke, have become aware of the need to continue and develop the inheritance bequeathed by the legendary religious guide. In doing so, Serigne Mame Mor Mbacke together with his dynamic team of knowledgeable scholars and educators, which comprises of family members and disciples of Serigne Mourtada, initiated a discussion aimed at perpetuating the great works of Sheikh Mourtada, modernizing, and diversifying the activities of the Al Azhar system in order to generate financial resources and fulfill the social expectations of the institutes in a perennial manner. Henceforth, both the President and CEO of the Al Azhar Holding were harnessed, since a couple of years ago, to restructure and modernize all the various existing divisions of Al Azhar that were created by the late Serigne Mouhamadou Mourtada Mbacke Ibn Khadimou Rassoul. Those divisions that could generate resources include:

1. AL AZHAR TRANSPORT COMPANY (LLC). It operates in the public transportation of passengers, goods and, oil tanks, and has more than 70 buses and trucks with about 250 employees. Founded in the last decade of the 20th century by Sheikh Mouhammadou Mourtada Mbacke, Al Azhar Transport Company, LLC is one of the largest providers of intercity bus transportation, serving all provinces (regions) of Senegal with more daily departures across Senegal than ever before. It has become a Senegalese icon, providing safe, enjoyable and affordable travel to 100's of thousands of passengers each year. While Al Azhar Transport is well known for its regularly scheduled passenger service, the company also provides a number of other social and economic assistance services for its communities. The Al Azhar Transport Company LLC partially funds the Al Azhar Institutes for its operational needs. It provides tens of thousands of dollars (millions of CFA) each month to the Al Azhar Institutes that were established by the legendary founder, Sheikh Mouhamadou Mourtadha Mbacke. For the safely of our passengers, we make sure that all our vehicles pass both the technical and legal requirements of the state by establishing a competent and modern system of management for the company.

2. AL AZHAR OIL COMPANY. It is a public company that specializes in the distribution of petroleum products and derivatives, and was accredited and recognized by both the state and the “Societe Africaine de Raffinage (SAR).” As an emerging enterprise that is highly competitive across many energy sectors, Al Azhar Oil brings together a wealth of talent, shared values and a strong commitment to developing vital energy resources for Senegal. We aim to set the standard - both for the goals we achieve and how we achieve them. As important as our financial and operating performance is - our goal is to be No. 1 among our competitors in total customer satisfaction - our underlying values define who we are. Integral to everything we do is our commitment to valuing the talent of each individual, harnessing the strengths of a diverse work force, and respecting and learning from the communities in which we operate. As we succeed, so too should our partners in Senegal, Africa and other countries around the world. Thus, the people of Al Azhar Oil are committed to partnership as a key building block of the company's overall performance. Our success demands the highest standards of social, economic and environmental responsibility across our operations nationwide. We take pride in distributing safe, reliable and affordable energy, knowing that it is critical for economic development, and helping to improve the standard of living across Senegal and Africa. We have a dozen service stations in the country, particularly in Mbour, Thiadiaye, Fatick, Mbar, Noto, Touba, Kidira, Sokone, etc. that are mostly supplied by high capacity tankers owned by Al Azhar. A project to introduce new service stations is being carried out with priority given to the interior cities of the country. The company employs more than twenty people besides the staff of service stations.

3. AL AZHAR AGRO-ALIMENTAIRE. This is a limited liability food company that has over 1,500 hectares of land and boreholes throughout Senegal. These lands include: Garage-Benteignié (Diam Niadio). About 15 hectares of land planted with fruit trees and high capacity henhouses. Notto - Gouye Diama. A 105 hectares piece of land with a water drill and a water tower that supply potable water to Notto – Gouye Diama as well as its surrounding villages. Besides, this perimeter produces fruit and vegetables; Keur Momar Sarr. An agricultural land that has more than sixty (60) acres of usable land. Mboro (in the Niayes Zone). It produces fruits and vegetables. Richard Toll and Savoigne. Produces rice, tomatoes and vegetables. An extensive program of farming, breeding, poultry farming and processing of products is being developed to make better use of those lands.

4. AL AZHAR INSURANCE COMPANY. It is an insurance brokerage that has obtained its license (license # 06920/MEF/DA) since October 13, 2006 from the Senegalese Ministry of Economy and Finance. This company will rely on the strong potential of the Holding to provide auto insurance, casualty, but most importantly health insurance at the request of talibés (disciples) and the Murid Diaspora throughout the world. In this context, Al Azhar is currently working with the insurance companies already established in Senegal.

5. AL AZHAR TRANS-SERVICES. As a limited liability company, Al Azhar Trans-Services specializes in the field of public transportation, tourist tours, religious travel (group pilgrimage), and car rentals. Besides, we look forward to opening our first air travel company, agencies and all related activities. The company intends to present a fifteen (15) bus routes providing inter urban long distances travel.

6. AL AZHAR TOUBA UNIVERSITY in DAROUL ALIM (NDAM), TOUBA. It is a continuation of the Al Azhar Islamic institutes that have existed since 1974 and which counts today 415 elementary and high schools and more than 50,000 students across Senegal, Africa, Europe, and North America. The goal of the university is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, mathematics, technology, liberal arts, Islamic and religious sciences and other areas of scholarship that will best serve Africa and the world in the 21st Century. The institute will be committed to generating, disseminating, and preserving knowledge, and to working with others to bring this knowledge to bear on the world’s great challenges. Besides, the university will be dedicated to providing its students with an education that combines rigorous academic study and the excitement of discovery with the support and intellectual stimulation of an intended diverse campus community. Again, the university will seek to develop in each member of its community the ability and passion to work wisely, creatively, and effectivey for the betterment of Africans and humankind. The Al Azhar Touba University (ATU), also known as Ndam University, will be a world-class institution. Teaching and research with relevance to the practical world as a guiding principle will be its purpose. With the idea of self-reliance that Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba has taught Murids about, the Al Azhar Touba University will be independent, coeducational and privately endowed. Its schools and colleges will encompass numerous academic departments, divisions, and degree-granting programs, as well as interdisciplinary centers, laboratories, and programs whose work cuts across traditional departmental boundaries. The total cost of establishing the university is about 15 millions US dollars.

7. AL AZHAR MINING AND QUARRY COMPANY. It is a mining company that also works in the provision of quarry for Senegal and abroad. The exploitation of quarries and other basalts will support efforts in providing construction materials for the Al Azhar Institutes and the Al Azhar Touba University, as well as other Daaras in the country. It also aims at exploring, marketing and distribution of mining products and precious metals.

CONCLUSION
The development plan being implemented at the Al Azhar Holding will have a definitely positive impact on the development of Senegal in terms of payment of important amounts of income taxes. In addition, the plan will help distribute important wages and salaries to hundreds of Al Azhar employees. We also look forward to increasing the mobility of passengers by lowering lower costs of their trips. It will be no doubt the continuation and sustainability of the great works of Sheikh Mouhamadou Mourtada Mbacke that will contribute to poverty alleviation through the distribution of wages to more than 300 families. It is important that such projects as a university in the Murid capital is realized because not only will it give an opportunity for the local community to benefit from a higher education at home, but it will also bridge part of the gap between the community in Senegal and the rest of the world. It will be an opportunity for students to experience a rich cultural diversity since part of the plans of the university will also be to develop wide exchange programs with American and other western universities. Finally, the ATU will also be an opportunity for women, who sometimes do not have the chance to continue their higher education in distant places as men because of safety reasons, to attend a university at home and fulfil their dreams.