Morocco’s religio-political project in Africa: historical narrative, knowledge production, and spiritual influence*

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article explores the intricate relationship of influence and interaction between Moroccan Islam and African Islam by surveying the major historical narratives, knowledge production, and spiritual connections that continually shape this complex relationship. In contrast to the conventional understanding that consistently underlines Moroccan Islam’s static, one-way hegemonic endeavour over African Islam, empirical evidence shows that this endeavour evolves as a complex curve grounded in affinities, inclusiveness, and transculturation. Unlike other transnational Islam’s ventures in Africa, most often seen as ‘imported’ and ‘transgressive,’ the Mohammed VI Foundation for African ‘Ulama puts forward a religious model built upon a pan-African narrative that vouches for local traditions, religious diversity, and shared spiritual-security interests. In doing so, Morocco’s religious model is likely on the way to gaining further recognition and appeal throughout many sub-Saharan African countries. Nevertheless, broadening Moroccan Islam’s outreach beyond West Africa, Morocco’s traditional fief of influence, would conversely challenge the centric orthodoxy of Moroccan Islam reshaped in the wake of the 2003 Casablanca attacks.