King of Morocco Mohamed VI aims to divert “Tidjaniya Religious Brotherhood”

The General Caliph of the “Tidjaniya Religious Brotherhood”, based in Ain Madhi area in Laghouat province in south-eastern Algeria, Sheikh Ali Tidjani, has castigated Morocco’s intention to host an international Tidjania brotherhood Forum, in the city of Fez, under the auspices of King Mohamed VI, saying that it was not concerned whatsoever by such an event.

He said that any activity to be organized without consulting the succession of the general representation of the Tidjania religious brotherhood was considered as null and void.

Sheikh Ali Tidjani said “that such activities did not reflect the will of the Tidjania’s General succession and its numerous disciples all over the world”, adding that these activities, referring to the planned Fez forum, were not “within our province and our consultations, therefore they do not concern the Tidjania Religious Brotherhood.”

Therefore, Sheikh Ali Tidjani refused to invite the participants in this projected Fez meeting, stressing that the Tidjania’s general representation had been overlooked and had not been duly consulted beforehand.

This planned international forum to be held under the auspices of King Mohammed VI, is meant to coincide with the anniversary of the bicentennial on the death of late Sheikh Ahmed Tidjani, and after two former forums organized by this religious brotherhood way back in 2007 and 2009.

Commentators noted to this effect that this bone of contention was yet to be added to the simmering tension now gripping the political and diplomatic relations between Morocco and Algeria over their rightful eligibility to possess the sprawling “Tidjaniya Religious Brotherhood” in view of the latter’s great spiritual weight, particularly in the African continent.