Fez, a Beacon of Sufism and a Crossroads of Civilizations: How Sufi Orders Spread Islam in Africa
Professor Jalali El Adnani, a distinguished scholar of higher education and a historian specializing in social and religious history, as well as territorial issues, highlighted the pivotal role that the city of Fez played in spreading Islam throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. He also emphasized the significant impact of Sufi orders, particularly the Tijaniyya order, in transforming animist societies into Muslim communities.
Fez: An Ancient Commercial and Cultural Hub
According to El Adnani, Fez has long been a vital commercial and cultural center, connecting Sijilmasa and Sub-Saharan Africa with Ceuta and Italian cities. El Adnani recounts stories told by Sheikh Ahmed Tijani about traders from Fez who traveled to Italy for commerce. At the time, some people from Fez criticized these traders for venturing into “lands of disbelief.”
However, the true influence of Fez, as El Adnani explains, began with the arrival of Sufi orders, which took on the mission of spreading Islam on a wide scale. Islam was initially confined to political elites—kings, ministers, and scholars. But with the Qadiriyya and especially the Tijaniyya orders, what is known as the “third wave of Islam” emerged in the late 18th and throughout the 19th centuries.
The Tijaniyya Order: A Dominant Force in Africa
The Tijaniyya order became extremely dominant and influential in Sub-Saharan Africa, continuing to shape the region to this day. It formed the basis of Moroccan-Senegalese relations and was later followed by the Muridiyya order, founded by Sheikh Ahmadou Bamba in 1927. There are also other branches of the Tijaniyya, such as the Hamawiyya order, prevalent in Mali, Mauritania, and particularly Côte d’Ivoire. This branch sought to present itself as a reformist movement aiming to return to what it calls “Tijaniyya Salafism” under Sheikh Ahmed Sheikh Hamahullah.
The Sahara Question: The Colonial Crucible
In another context, Dr. El Adnani’s works and writings address the “national question” in French. He authored a book titled “The Sahara: The Colonial Crucible,” which is currently being translated by the Royal Academy into Arabic, English, and Spanish. These works reflect his deep interest in territorial issues and the region’s colonial history.
These insights shed light on the deeply rooted relationship between Morocco and its African hinterland, affirming the Kingdom’s historical role in spreading values of tolerance and moderation through Sufi orders, as well as the importance of historical research in understanding contemporary issues.
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