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Fez: Mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed Al Tijani Stands as a Global Centre of Sufism and Pilgrimage
In the heart of Fez, Morocco’s ancient spiritual capital, stands the majestic Mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed Al Tijani, one of the most important centres of Sufism and Islamic pilgrimage in Africa and beyond. Nestled deep within the historic Medina of Fez, the site remains a powerful symbol of faith, history, and spiritual continuity.
Fez, located in northern Morocco between the Rif Mountains and the Middle Atlas, lies about 180 kilometres east of Rabat. The city, built along the Fez River, has long been a hub of religious learning and devotion. At its core sits the Tijaniyya Zawiya, established in 1798, which has since grown into one of the most influential spiritual centres in the Muslim world.
The mausoleum is dedicated to Sidi Ahmed Al Tijani, revered as one of Islam’s great holy men and the founder of the Tijaniyya Sufi order, which has millions of followers across Africa, particularly in West and North Africa. Each year, thousands of pilgrims from across the globe visit the mausoleum to pray, seek blessings, and reconnect with their spiritual roots.
Inside the mausoleum, a serene atmosphere prevails. Carpets cover the floors where worshippers sit quietly reading the Qur’an, not far from the imam’s pulpit. Deeper within lies a carefully maintained sacred space housing the saint’s final resting place. Behind a finely crafted grille stands the sculpted tomb of Sidi Ahmed Al Tijani, the focal point of daily rituals performed by the faithful.
A notable feature of religious life in Morocco is highlighted here. While mosques typically close after prayer times, mausoleums remain open throughout the day, allowing continuous access for worshippers. “Religion here is very tightly controlled,” explained Loutfi Ben Brahim, a tour guide in Fez, while speaking to African journalists participating in a programme organised by Morocco’s National Association of Media and Publishers (ANME) on the sidelines of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, currently taking place in the country.
Beyond the mausoleum, the Medina of Fez is also home to the historic Al-Qarawiyyin, one of the world’s oldest centres of Islamic learning. Founded by a woman from Kairouan in present-day Tunisia, the institution has undergone several expansions over the centuries. Built on a nine-hectare site, Al-Qarawiyyin can accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 worshippers and students, according to Ben Brahim.
He further noted that two systems of Islamic jurisprudence are taught at Al-Qarawiyyin: the classical authentic system and a modern system, represented by the Faculty of Sharia Law.
Together, the Mausoleum of Sidi Ahmed Al Tijani and the scholarly institutions of Fez continue to define the city’s enduring role as a beacon of spirituality, learning, and pilgrimage in the Islamic world.