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Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Morocco)

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Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of Morocco
وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية بالمملكة المغربية
Ministry overview
Formed1955 (1955)
JurisdictionGovernment of Morocco
HeadquartersRabat, Morocco
Minister responsible
Ministry executive
Websitewww.habous.gov.ma

The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco (Arabic: وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية بالمملكة المغربية) is a government body in Morocco responsible for overseeing religious affairs.[1][2][3] It was established in 1955 and manages Islamic endowments (habous), supervises the construction and maintenance of mosques, and oversees the training and appointment of imams.[4] The ministry also regulates religious discourse in alignment with Morocco’s official Islamic tradition, which is based on the Maliki school of jurisprudence, Ashʿari theology, and elements of Sufi practice.[5][6] It operates under the authority of the King of Morocco, who holds the islamic and constitutional title Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Faithful).[7][8]

History

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After Morocco gained independence in 1955, the management of Islamic endowments changed from the colonial-era system, which was known as the office of the Nazira of Nazirs and the Banika of Habous, to a government body called the Ministry of Habous.[9] Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Soussi served as minister from 1955 to 1967. Although no new minister was appointed after that period, the institution continued to operate.[10] In 1963, it was reorganized and became the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. Its structure and responsibilities were later defined by official documents, including a royal decree issued on 9 Shawwal 1424, which corresponds to December 24, 2003, and a ministerial decision dated 28 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1424, which corresponds to January 21, 2004.[11] In 2004, King Mohammed VI ordered the preparation of a legal framework for managing endowments based on the Maliki school of Islamic law. The new Endowment Code was put into effect in 2011.[12] Under this code, the ministry is responsible for approving transactions that deal with endowment property worth less than five million dirhams and for managing them according to the law.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "المغرب.. من نظارة النظار وبنيقة الأحباس إلى مدونة الأوقاف". مغرس. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  2. ^ "The Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs represents His Majesty King Mohammed VI at the 15th session of the Islamic Summit Conference". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  3. ^ "Islamic Affairs Minister Meets with Moroccan Endowments Minister". www.oananews.org. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  4. ^ "State Islam in Morocco". www.quotidian.pub. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  5. ^ dwkcommentaries (2017-05-24). "The Mission of Morocco's Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs". dwkcommentaries. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  6. ^ "Morocco's Political Use of Islam and its Religious Diplomacy". www.iemed.org. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  7. ^ "2021 International Religious Freedom Report: Morocco" (PDF).
  8. ^ "The Role of the Amir al Muminin in Morocco in establishing the values that prevent extremism. Mohammed Al Yaadi". Fundación Mezquita de Sevilla. 2016-08-29. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  9. ^ "Islamic endowments in the Kingdom of Morocco". 2017-12-11. Archived from the original on 11 December 2017. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  10. ^ "Official Bulletin of the Kingdom of Morocco - Royal Decree No. 2566, 1961" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2023.
  11. ^ "المغرب.. من نظارة النظار وبنيقة الأحباس إلى مدونة الأوقاف". مغرس. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  12. ^ المغربية, جريدة الأحداث; حشادي, مجيد (2019-01-23). "موقع وزارة الاوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية الأول عربيا". أحداث.أنفو - موقع أحداث.أنفو (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-05-12.
  13. ^ "Managing Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Morocco". MOHAMMED VI FOUNDATION OF AFRICAN OULEMA. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2025-05-12.
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