Encyclopedia of Islam

Further reading: Krisztina Kehl-Bodrogi, Barbara Kell-

ner-Heinkele, and Anke Otter-Beaujean, eds., Syncretis-

tic Religious Communities in the Near East (New York: 

K  28  

Alawi

---

E.J. Brill, 1997); Matti Moosa, Extremist Shiites: The 

Ghulat Sects (Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 

1988); Tord Olsson, Elisabeth Ozdalga, and Catharina 

Raudvere,  Alevi Identity: Cultural, Religious and Social 

Perspectives (Istanbul: Swedish Research Institute in 

Istanbul, 1998); J. Spencer Trimingham, The Sufi Orders 

in Islam (Oxford, U.K.: Clarendon Press, 1971).

Alawid dynasty

 

(1668–present)

The current ruling dynasty of m

orocco

, the 

Alawis are one of the few precolonial monarchies 

to successfully transition into the era of inde-

pendent nation-states. The dynasty first arose in 

southeastern Morocco and established its author-

ity throughout the country during the 1660s, 

under the leadership of Mulay Rashid (d. 1672). 

Throughout the next 240 years, Alawid sultans 

ruling from F

ez

 or Meknes were usually able to 

control the main urban centers and allied tribes 

(bilad al-makhzen), but they did not receive more 

than cursory allegiance from the rural hinterlands 

(bilad al-siba).

The situation changed with the establish-

ment of the French protectorate over Morocco in 

1912. The French pursued a policy of divide and 

rule while trying to maintain the illusion of local 

governance through a compliant Alawid 

sUltan

(now called “king”). However, King Muhammad 

V used this approach against them when he rallied 

nationalist support around his passive resistance 

to French authority. In 1956, the French adminis-

tration recognized Moroccan independence under 

the leadership of its traditional monarchy.

In many ways, the centralizing influence of 

the French allowed the Alawis to consolidate their 

control to a degree that was not possible prior to 

the protectorate. Although the new nation estab-

lished institutions for participatory government, 

such as elections and a national assembly, 

aUthor

-

ity

 remained firmly in the hands of the monarchy. 

Alawid kings (such as Hasan II, r. 1961–99) used 

their status as sharifs (descendants of the prophet 

m

Uhammad

) to highlight their religiopolitical 

authority as “Commander of the Faithful.” This 

undercut the rise of radical Islamic challenges to 

their leadership. The current king, Muhammad VI, 

seeks to bring much-needed reforms to Moroccan 

society while retaining ultimate political power. 

Having ruled Morocco for some 335 years, the 

Alawid dynasty shows no signs of relinquishing 

power any time soon.

See also 

ahl

 

al

-

bayt

; 

colonialism

.

Stephen Cory