To the rear of the Grande Mosquée is the Zawiya of Sidi Abdallah ibn Hassoun , the patron saint of Salé. This respected Sufi died in 1604 and is revered by Moroccan travellers in much the same way as St Christopher is revered among Christians. An annual pilgrimage and procession in his honour makes its way through the streets of Salé on the eve of Mouloud (the Prophet’s birthday). On this day, local fishermen dress in elaborate corsair costumes, while others carry decorated wax sculptures and parade through the streets, ending up at the shrine of the marabout (saint).
There are two more shrines in Salé: the Zawiya of Sidi Ahmed Tijani , on the lane between the mosque and medersa , and the white Koubba of Sidi ben Ashir at-Taleb in the cemetery northwest of the mosque.
