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From sultan-protector to king-diplomat

53 0
29.07.2026

In the 17th century, the sharifian Kingdom of Morocco emerges from its Saadian crisis weakened and disunited. The death of Ahmed al-Mansur (1603) causes the disintegration of the kingdom until the final collapse of the dynasty in 1659. The sharifian Kingdom is immersed in serious succession wars. Divided between rivals in Marrakesh and Fez, undermined by civil wars and the weakening of central power.

The Alaouite dynasty, founded by Moulay Rashid (1666), is part of a context of recomposition of power in Morocco after the Saadian decline and a period of political anarchy. It aims at the reunification and consolidation of power relations. The Jewish communities, rooted in the Moroccan space and strengthened by the arrival of Sephardim expelled from Spain, also seek a new framework of stability.

It is in this context of anarchy that Moulay Rashid imposes himself. Coming from a sharifian lineage, he seizes Fez and proclaims himself sultan, thus becoming the first Alaouite sultan. The favorable welcome given to Moulay Rashid by the Jews of Fez, mentioned by several historians, signals less an ideological adherence than a pragmatic choice. Moulay Rashid was indeed well received by the Jews of Fez during his conquest of power, which contributed to improving their situation. Subsequently, under his brother and successor Moulay........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)