One of the most influential scholars and spiritual guides of the East African (Swahili) coast; founder of the famous Riyadha Mosque in Lamu (1853, Singani in the Comoros â 1935, Lamu/Kenya). Of the Ba Alawi Jamal al-Layl sayyid family, originally from Yemen and settled in the Comoros, claiming descent from Ali. Around 1866 he came to Lamu to study under its leading scholars. In 1889/1901 he founded the Riyadha Mosque and its madrasa, which became one of East Africa's most prestigious centers of Islamic learning. He is known for bringing knowledge to ordinary people and for initiating Lamu's annual Maulid festival. After his death his sons continued the madrasa; his grave lies beside the Riyadha Mosque and is a place of visitation.