Sufism in Morocco's Religious Politics : Refractions of Piety and Iḥsān

This book outlines the role of Sufism in Moroccan politics in the twenty-first century through a comparative study of contemporary Sufi organizations. The author begins his analysis by highlighting the strategies employed by the Moroccan state over the past twenty years, aimed at regulating and producing an authorized ‘Moroccan Islam’ in the kingdom. Despite these policies of spiritual security and spiritual diplomacy, including the state sponsorship of Sufi organizations, the author argues that this has not decreased diversity nor produced a banal interpretation of Islam, but rather given rise to diverse articulations and performances of this religiosity. Through a comparative analysis of three Sufi organizations based on eighteen months of fieldwork – two of which have never before been studied – the author brings into relief the spaces of creative enactment of Sufism as an ethical tradition. Ultimately, it is argued that each Sufi organization reflects a different refraction of __iḥsān__, a concept emphasising the cultivation of public piety which underpins the Moroccan state’s formulation of Islam. Focused on both theoretical contributions to Islamic studies and topical treatments of geopolitical issues like spiritual diplomacy, the Western Sahara, and Morocco-Algeria, the book spans multiple disciplines, including anthropology, religious studies, sociology, and political science. Cover Half Title Series Title Copyright Dedication Contents Acknowledgments Notes on Transliteration 1 Introduction: Iḥsān and Practical Sufism Islām, Imān, and Iḥsān Refractions of Iḥsān and the Politics of Sufism Iḥsān and Practical Sufism Iḥsān and Public Piety Moroccan Islam – Moroccan Religiosity Performing Public Piety 2 Three Histories of Sufism and Politics in Morocco Introduction Colonialism: Tradition and Modernity Legitimate Leadership: Commander of the Faithful Nationalists and Socialists: 1956–1980 Modern Islamic Movements: AWI and PJD Sufism in Morocco Sufism and Politics in Morocco Sufism in the Modern World Sufis and Salafis Reshaping Religion in Contemporary Morocco Sufism, Spiritual Security, and Spiritual Diplomacy Sufism, Civility, and Solidarity Institutions and Education Coopting Salafis Conclusion 3 A Visionary Order: Shaykh Fawzi and the Karkariyya Tarbiya and Tanwīr Shaykh Fawzi Silsila: Spiritual Genealogy Minhāj al-Tarbiya Dhikr and Mudhākara Stitching Together God’s Attributes: Muraqqaʿa Retreating Into the Name: Khalwa 4 Pilgrimage and Politics in the Karkariyya Introduction Siyāḥa in Historical Context Siyāḥa in the Karkariyya A Mediated Controversy Morocco and Algeria in Historical Perspective ‘We Don’t Have Time for Politics' 5 Sufism and the Neoliberal Ethic in the IACSAS Introduction Dr. Kobaiti and the IACSAS Journeying to Iḥsān: Spiritual Orientation Formalizing the Minhāj: Ethical Orientation Performing Sufism Performing Pious Dialogue: Academic Orientation A Neoliberal Religiosity? 6 Bringing the Zawiya Into the World With the ʿAlāwiyya Introduction Sufi as Critic Shaykh Khālid as Critic and Reformer Implementing the Vision: Bringing the Zawiya Into the World Socially Engaged Spirituality Ethical Giving Conclusion 7 Lenses of Refraction: Conclusion Overview Sufism as Ethical Tradition Sufism as Public Piety Sufism as Transnational Ethical Grammar Sufism as Political Tool Index "This book outlines the role of Sufism in Moroccan politics in the twenty-first century through a comparative study of contemporary Sufi organizations. The author begins his analysis by highlighting the strategies employed by the Moroccan state over the past twenty years, aimed at regulating and producing an authorized 'Moroccan Islam' in the kingdom. Despite these policies of spiritual security and spiritual diplomacy, including the state sponsorship of Sufi organizations, the author argues that this has not decreased diversity nor produced a banal interpretation of Islam, but rather given rise to diverse articulations and performances of this religiosity. Through a comparative analysis of three Sufi organizations based on eighteen months of fieldwork - two of which have never before been studied - the author brings into relief the spaces of creative enactment of Sufism as an ethical tradition. Ultimately, it is argued that each Sufi organization reflects a different refraction of iḥsān, a concept emphasising the cultivation of public piety which underpins the Moroccan state's formulation of Islam. Focused on both theoretical contributions to Islamic studies and topical treatments of geopolitical issues like spiritual diplomacy, the Western Sahara, and Morocco-Algeria, the book spans multiple disciplines, including anthropology, religious studies, sociology, and political science"-- Provided by publisher