Enduring Traditions

Today, the traditions of the zawiya endure and are even seeing a resurgence. Followers of the Zawiya Ahansal ‘school’ still exist throughout Morocco and into Algeria. Hundreds of pilgrims visit Zawiya Ahansal each year to pay homage to Sidi Said Ahansal and his descendants.

Recently, the central Moroccan government and Ministry of Islamic Affairs have made statements that the practices of Moroccan Zawiyas represent a moderate form of Islam – an Islam that does not support extremism and which the world can look to for guidance on how to combat Islamic extremism. 

Photo: Abdul Malik Ookdim, a descendant of Sidi Said Ahansal, is the current leader of the religious order of Zawiya Ahansal.