As part of the local administration’s celebrations in the province of Smara marking the first anniversary of Unity Day, the Zawiya of the righteous saint Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Rguibi hosted an academic symposium on Wednesday dedicated to the Prophet’s biography and the continuous care bestowed upon it by the Kings of the Alaouite Dynasty. This event coincided with the official reopening of the Zawiya in its newly renovated and rehabilitated form, safeguarding its religious standing and preserving its spiritual and academic legacy.
According to available data, the Governor of the Province of Smara, Ibrahim Boutoumilat, accompanied by an official delegation consisting of elected officials, tribal sheikhs and notables of the Sahrawi tribes, as well as civil and military figures, oversaw the reopening of this prestigious religious and historical landmark. The Zawiya occupies a prominent place in the spiritual memory of the Moroccan Sahara, continually attracting visitors, disciples, and scholars from various regions.
The choice of the Zawiya to launch the religious activities included in this celebration carries special significance, given the status of this spiritual hub in the local consciousness and the religious and academic traditions associated with it across generations. Preserving this heritage serves as an extension of the ongoing commitment to the religious and cultural memory of the province.
In this context, the Local Scientific Council, in partnership with the Provincial Delegation of Islamic Affairs, organized an academic symposium under the theme: “The Prophet’s Biography and the Care Bestowed Upon It by the Kings of the Alaouite Dynasty through the Royal Letter,” celebrating fifteen centuries since the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) while evoking the values of emulation and noble ethics embodied in the Sunnah.
The gathering commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a welcoming address delivered by the custodian of the Zawiya, Mohamed Leith. In his speech, he highlighted the spiritual and educational roles played by the Zawiya, as well as its historical contributions to spreading knowledge and anchoring the values of moderation and centrism. The program also featured collective Quranic recitation and panegyrics (Amdaah Nabawiya).
For his part, the President of the Local Scientific Council, Mohamed Salem Babouzid, emphasized in his introductory remarks the importance of organizing this symposium within the sanctuary of the Zawiya of Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Rguibi. He noted that the event provides an academic opportunity to recall the status of the Prophet’s biography in the Kingdom’s religious frame of reference and to highlight the profound care shown toward it by the Kings of the Alawite Dynasty.
Babouzid also shed light on the connotations of the Royal Letter addressed on the occasion of the fifteenth centenary of the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He underscored how it reflects the commitment of the Commander of the Faithful to the Prophetic biography and the entrenching of its values in religious and educational life, while affirming the role of the Scientific Councils in safeguarding religious constants and promoting moderation.
The symposium featured two academic lectures: the first, titled “A Reading of the Contents of the Royal Letter,” was delivered by Dr. El Hossein Ait Said, a member of the Supreme Scientific Council. He explored the academic and spiritual dimensions of the letter and its significance regarding the veneration of the Prophet’s biography and the emulation of his guidance.
The second lecture, titled “The Prophet’s Biography: A Methodology for Embodying the Morals of the Chosen One,” was delivered by Dr. Mimoun Barich, a professor of higher education at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences in Marrakech, who shed light on the moral and educational values of the Prophetic biography and its impact on instilling upright conduct.
The proceedings concluded with a recognition ceremony organized by local authorities to honor expressions of gratitude and appreciation. The Governor of the Province of Smara, Ibrahim Boutoumilat, was honored for his care for scholars and righteous figures and his dedication to preserving the province’s spiritual heritage. A group of participating scholars and professors was also recognized in acknowledgment of their academic contributions and role in enriching the symposium.
The event culminated in the raising of a message of loyalty and allegiance to Commander of the Faithful, His Majesty King Mohammed VI—may God assist him—imploring the Almighty to preserve His Majesty, grant him enduring health and wellness, gladden his eye with Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, strengthen his side with Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and all members of the noble Royal Family, and shower the Moroccan people and the entire Islamic nation with prosperity and blessings.
