The Tijani Method: A Challenge to Morocco's Political Elite
On March 14, 2026, a statement issued by the General Caliphate of the Tijani Order, headquartered in Algeria, sparked a wave of confusion among the elite circles in Morocco. The statement condemned certain behaviors deemed "normalizing" exhibited by African religious figures who visited the Israeli state. This public criticism indirectly denounced the political positions of the Moroccan regime, which is often regarded as one of the most significant normalizers and complicit parties with Israel, particularly concerning the rights of the Palestinian people.
The Moroccan elite interpreted the timing of the Tijani statement in relation to the geopolitical climate affecting both the Arab and Islamic regions, particularly in light of the egregious aggression from Israeli and American forces against Iran. They observed a prominent Algerian influence, as the Tijani Order has its roots in that country. This statement aligns with Algeria's steadfast diplomatic stance, which consistently supports just causes worldwide while rejecting the exploitation of the Palestinian issue, regardless of the challenges faced.
Moreover, media surveys indicate that elite circles close to the royal palace in Rabat view this Tijani statement as a significant embarrassment to the diplomatic approach taken by the Moroccan regime for decades. Although this approach has often remained veiled, it was laid bare in 2020 with a clear announcement of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, known as the Abraham Accords. The embarrassment intensified as the statement provided compelling justifications, coinciding with the ongoing aggression faced by Islamic and Arab nations, particularly Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine. This scenario highlighted the ease with which Tel Aviv has established footholds in predominantly Muslim West Africa, while Morocco is increasingly seen as a gateway for Israeli interests into the continent after other North African countries—namely Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt—closed their doors to such encroachments.
In a bid to portray the Tijani method as a religious arm of Moroccan diplomacy, the regime has found itself in a precarious situation following the recent declaration from the Tijani leadership. The statement revealed the true face of those attempting to exploit the religious stature of the Tijani Order to propagate normalization agendas under the guise of African interests—an agenda that has not fooled the political and religious leaders in West Africa, particularly.
Notably, numerous activists from West Africa, especially Senegal, where the Tijani Order holds significant influence, quickly condemned the participation of certain Senegalese scholars in the visit to Israel. A formal statement from the Union of Imams and Preachers in Senegal asserted that these individuals do not represent the country’s imams or the sentiments of its people, emphasizing that this move contradicts Senegal's official position, which staunchly supports the Palestinian cause under the leadership of President Macky Sall and Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, reflecting the will of the Senegalese populace.
In commentary, Bashir Muhammad Lahsan, a researcher in African affairs at the University of Seville, described the events as a blatant maneuver orchestrated by the Moroccan regime. He stated that normalization with Israel manifests in various forms, and the recent visit by individuals falsely associated with the Tijani Order to Israel represents a clear example of this normalization that the Moroccan regime has immersed itself in. Lahsan posited that the Moroccan regime plays a functional role in serving Israeli interests, aiming to merge religious spheres and expand these initiatives to legitimize Israeli outreach to African populations, facilitated by the Moroccan regime. However, the Tijani statement has effectively nullified Morocco’s attempts to legitimize a state that is rejected by both African societies and Muslim communities at large.
He further asserted that the Tijani leadership's decisive statement rejects such actions and rightly contextualizes them as personal behaviors that do not reflect the Tijani Order, which is rooted in the African peoples' intrinsic resistance to injustice and support for the struggles of nations seeking independence, particularly the Palestinian people.
Lahsan criticized the Moroccan regime for attempting to involve some Tijani scholars in visits to Israel, labeling it as gratuitous normalization that undoubtedly has the regime's backing. He contended that any Israeli infiltration into Africa directly serves the interests of the Moroccan regime, as there is a mutual exchange of roles and benefits between the two.
Looking ahead, Lahsan predicted the failure of these normalization attempts, as Sufi orders, especially the Tijani Order, fundamentally reject such practices, with their leadership firmly committed to principles opposing oppression and refusing to ally with occupying forces.
As reported by echoroukonline.com.
