The Second Edition of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum in Dakhla Highlights the Renewed Spiritual Role of the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful

The second edition of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum concluded in the city of Dakhla on Sunday, 26 July 2026. The event was organized by the Ilaf International Sufism Association of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab Region, in partnership and coordination with the Regional Council of Islamic Scholars and the Regional Delegation of Islamic Affairs. Held from 24 to 26 July 2026 under the theme “The Commander of the Faithful and Its Renewed Spiritual Roles,” the forum commemorated the twenty-seventh anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, to the throne. It also formed part of the implementation of the Royal Message addressed to Morocco’s scholars on the occasion of the fifteenth centenary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The forum brought together a distinguished group of scholars, researchers, and academics, alongside a large audience interested in Islamic affairs and Sufism. The scientific and spiritual gathering sought to highlight the central role of the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful in safeguarding Morocco’s religious foundations, promoting moderation and balance, and strengthening the country’s spiritual security.

Activities began on Friday, 24 July, with the reception of participating delegations at Dakhla Airport, where scholars, researchers, and guests from various Moroccan cities arrived to take part in this scholarly and spiritual event.

During the opening session, Mr. Ahmed Msida, Director of the Ilaf International Sufism Forum, stated that the choice of this year’s theme coincided with the celebration of Throne Day and reflected the Moroccan people’s, particularly those of the southern provinces, enduring attachment to the Alaouite Throne. He emphasized that the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful has historically served as a cornerstone of Morocco’s national unity and spiritual stability through its religious, national, and civilizational responsibilities.

On Saturday, 25 July, the Agricultural Chamber Hall in Dakhla hosted the forum’s main academic conference, attracting a large audience that filled the venue. The conference featured presentations by leading scholars and specialists in Islamic thought and Sufism.

Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak, a researcher and academic specializing in Islamic thought and Sufism, noted that hosting the event in Dakhla gave it a distinctive spiritual dimension, considering the city’s historical significance, strategic location, and renowned hospitality. He described the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful as a uniquely Moroccan model for regulating the relationship between religion and the state while preserving doctrinal, spiritual, and cultural unity. He further stressed that the institution has played a significant role in promoting moderation, tolerance, and openness, while providing balanced religious approaches to contemporary issues related to education, migration, the environment, and sustainable development.

For his part, Dr. Adnan Zahar, a member of the Local Council of Islamic Scholars in El Jadida, highlighted that the conference provided an opportunity to reflect on Morocco’s religious stability under the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful. He stated that the supreme Imamate has long been recognized by Muslim scholars as a legitimate religious institution and that Morocco has successfully preserved this historical model, ensuring the unity of religious authority and protecting society from extremism and ideological deviation.

Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour, professor and researcher in Islamic thought and Sufism, focused on the spiritual dimension of the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful. He underlined the Royal commitment to religious affairs, particularly in the fields of education, ethics, and spiritual refinement. He also affirmed that Sunni Sufism is fundamentally concerned with the moral and spiritual development of the individual and that Sufi lodges and scholarly institutions play complementary roles in achieving this objective under the guidance of the Commander of the Faithful.

The forum also featured several academic sessions and intellectual discussions addressing a range of issues related to Sufism and Islamic thought. Topics included the scholarly standards governing biographical literature on saints, the concept of reasoning in the poetry and literature of mystics, the foundations of spiritual leadership within the Sufi path, and the role of institutional accountability in Sufi lodges. These discussions fostered meaningful scholarly dialogue and contributed to deeper research on contemporary intellectual and educational questions related to Sufism.

On the spiritual level, Dakhla hosted a major evening of devotional chanting on Saturday night. The programme opened with traditional Hassani praise poetry, reflecting the unique religious and cultural heritage of Morocco’s southern provinces, followed by a performance by the Al-Dhakireen Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Mohammed Tehami Harrak. The evening was marked by an atmosphere of devotion, remembrance of God, and love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The event concluded with prayers for His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, the reading of a message of loyalty and allegiance addressed to the Royal Court, and a ceremony honouring several individuals who contributed to the success of the forum.

On the final day, participants visited the headquarters of the Qadiriyya Msidiyya Zawiya, where they were welcomed by its spiritual leader, Sheikh Sidi Al-Hafid Msida. The visit included the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, a gathering of devotional praise and spiritual chanting, and presentations on the Zawiya’s efforts in serving the Qur’an. Participants were also introduced to a project aimed at establishing a Qur’anic Centre dedicated to teaching the Holy Qur’an and supporting its memorization.

Participants praised the organizational efforts of Mr. Ahmed Msida, President of the Ilaf International Sufism Association, whose leadership and supervision contributed significantly to the successful organization of the forum and to presenting an event befitting the stature of the city of Dakhla.

The programme concluded on Sunday evening with two religious lectures organized in partnership with the Regional Delegation of Islamic Affairs. Dr. Mohammed El Mehdi Mansour delivered a lecture at Al-Nasr Mosque after the Maghrib prayer, while Dr. Adnan Zahar addressed worshippers at Badr Mosque after the Isha prayer on the theme of love for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), attracting a large congregation.

At the conclusion of the forum, participants affirmed that this edition further established Dakhla as a centre for scholarly dialogue and spiritual outreach. They emphasized that the event highlighted the renewed role of the Institution of the Commander of the Faithful in safeguarding Morocco’s religious constants and promoting the values of moderation and balance. The forum also underscored the contribution of Sunni Sufism to education, moral reform, and human development, reinforcing Morocco’s standing as a model in promoting moderate Islam and strengthening spiritual security at both the national and international levels.