Welcome to the Evolving Man Project’s “Evolved Man of the Week” profile. Each week, we will highlight famous and non-famous individuals who embody what it means to be an evolved man. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. This week’s honor goes to the Guinean student Mamadou Safayou Barry.
In 2023, Mamadou Safayou Barry cycled from his home country almost all the way to Egypt to study at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif. He was offered full support by Sunni Islam’s highest seminary. The married father of one said although he could not afford the Islamic Studies course at Al-Azhar or flights to Egypt, the university’s reputation spurred him to take his chances on the epic trek through Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Chad via his bike.
Mamadou traveled through some of the most bandit-filled areas on Earth, including parts of Burkina Faso and Niger. He was detained without cause or charged on three separate occasions, twice in Burkina Faso and once in Togo. In Chad, nearly four months after he left home, he caught an auspicious wind. A local journalist reported on his efforts, which led to a local philanthropist getting the man a flight to Cairo.
Once there, the prestigious Al-Azhar University offered him a full scholarship for Islamic studies and engineering.
Mamadou’s epic adventure caught the attention of Hollywood superstar Will Smith. Smith’s publicity team contacted the BBC after the story of Mamadou’s journey had been published Smith’s team said the world-renowned actor was moved by Mamadou’s tale. The actor’s team arranged a video call with ambitious student .
“This is Will Smith!” a smiling… “A lot of your films I love. I don’t know how to thank you, Wallahi [I swear]! I don’t know how to thank you,” he said when he heard about the gifts.
Mamadou Safayou Barry wanted to improve his life, and he risked everything to achieve his dream of attending Al-Azhar University. His story caught the attention of Hollywood’s most famous actors. We at the Evolving Man Project wish Mamadou Safayou Barry the best of luck as he continues his studies. Thanks to a kind gift from actor Will Smith, Mamadou can afford to fly back and forth to see his family in his hometown of Conakry, Guinea. Today, we honor Mamadou Safayou Barry as our Evolved Man of the Week.
Evolving Folks Project 