From the Al-Adaladars to the Alawites: A political history that shaped the Kingdom of Morocco
Among the few countries in the world that have managed to build a coherent and renewed political identity through the ages, Morocco stands out as a unique model. Since the rise of the Idrisid state in the late eighth century, Moroccans have been patiently and intelligently carving the contours of their state amidst a turbulent regional environment and major civilizational challenges.
Idris: The First Seed of the Moroccan State
In 788 AD, Idris ibn Abdullah arrived in Wilayli, fleeing political persecution, to find among the Amazigh a welcoming breast and a determination to build an entity independent of the Abbasid caliphate. He founded the Adarsa state, which soon expanded to include Fez, a city that would become a beacon of science and culture in the Islamic West. The Al-Adars are credited with establishing Sunni Maliki Islam as the basis of Morocco's religious and political identity.
Almoravids and Almohads: The Age of Power and Extension
In the eleventh century, the Almoravids, who came from the Sahara, emerged to reunite the Maghreb under one banner and spread the Maliki school of thought with rigor and balance. They founded the city of Marrakesh, which soon became a major capital, linking sub-Saharan Africa with Andalusia to the north.
The Almohads, with their intellectual and ideological revolution, continued the process of expansion, as their state stretched from the borders of Libya in the east to Andalusia in the west. Under their rule, Morocco witnessed a golden age in architecture, science and philosophy, with Marrakesh and Fez serving as the beating heart of Western Islamic civilization.
Marinids and Saadis: A Defense of Identity and Sovereignty
As the Almohad influence waned, the Marinids emerged in the thirteenth century to reorganize the Moroccan home. They restored Fez as a cultural and scientific capital and established universities and mosques that still exist today. But they faced increasing external challenges, especially from European powers coveting Morocco's coasts.
In the 16th century, the Saadis led the resistance and won an impressive victory at the Battle of Wadi Makhazine in 1578, when they defeated a massive European coalition. Thanks to them, Morocco maintained its sovereignty at a time when most countries in the region were falling under Ottoman or European occupation.
The Alaouites: State Continuity and Identity Renewal
Since the mid-seventeenth century, the Alaouites have ruled Morocco in a political continuity that is rare in the Arab world. Over the centuries, they were able to balance Morocco's ancient traditions with the demands of the times, preserving the unity of the national territory and facing colonial challenges, until Morocco regained its independence in 1956.
Today, the Kingdom of Morocco, under the leadership of the Alaouites, continues its path as a country with historical and cultural depth, combining authenticity and modernization, Amazigh, Arabic, and Islamic, in a balance that has made it an exceptional country in the regional geopolitical landscape.
In the next issue of Eshraqa7: We will dive into the secrets of each era, revealing how these dynasties contributed to shaping today's Morocco... a country of diversity and unity.
