Zawiya of Moulay Idris II

Background: Moulay Idris II over the tomb of Idris II in the mausoleum|left Idris II, born in 791, was the son and successor of Idris I. Idris I was a descendant of the Muhammad who fled from Abbasid-controlled territory after the Battle of Fakh because he had supported the defeated pro-Shi'a rebels. He used his prestige as a descendant of Muhammad to forge an alliance with local Berbers in 789 and quickly became the most important religious and political leader in the region. He died soon after in 791, just before his son Idris (II) was born. After Idris II officially took over his position as ruler in 803, he significantly expanded the authority of the new Idrisid state. With the help of new Arab immigrants, he gained independence from his Berber allies and extended Idrisid control to include most of what is today Morocco and parts of eastern Algeria. Under his rule and that of his Idrisid succcessors, the islamization of Morocco also progressed significantly. He died in 828. Early history (9th–13th centuries) , in the heart of Fes el-Bali There is little certain information about the shrine before the Marinid dynasty period (14th–15th centuries). The history of both the shrine and the religious culture surrounding it is not clearly traceable until the resurgence of the sharifs (families and dynasties recognized as descending from Muhammad) in Morocco's political and religious life which took place slowly during the Marinid period. While there is disagreement among sources as to what happened to Idris II's body after his death, most believe that he was buried in the mosque he had built next to his palace of Dar al-Qaytun (House of the Tent) in the center of Fes, possibly in a mausoleum on its eastern side. The 11th-century author al-Bakri described the mosque as consisting of a hypostyle prayer hall with three transverse aisles oriented roughly east-to-west and a large courtyard (sahn) planted with olive trees. Among other things, he publicly denied that the Shurafa Mosque contained the real tomb of Idris II, promoting the story (reported in some sources) that Idris II had instead been buried next to his father in the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun (about 50 kilometers west of Fez). Over the following decades, further regime changes and military interventions by powers from outside Morocco resulted in political instability and the complete disenfranchisement of the Idrisids. Most of the tombs of saints in the city were also ruined over this time. Since the 19th century, the zawiya has been restored a few more times. It was renovated in 1956 on the initiative of King Mohammed V and some of the decoration on the outside of the building dates from this time. == Geography ==

Urban environment near the Nejjarine Museum today which was associated with the zawiya of Moulay Idris II The zawiya's most prominent external features are its minaret, the tallest in the old city of Fez, Further west, on the south side of Place Nejjarine, is the historic Hammam Moulay Idris which is associated with his tomb and traditionally considered to confer some of its blessings. The sanctuary (horm) Some of the streets around and leading to the zawiya are marked at certain points by a horizontal wooden bar under which pedestrians must duck in order to pass. These denoted the extent of the Zawiya's sanctuary or haram (also horm), a protected and sanctified space. Up until the beginning of the French colonial occupation in 1912, non-Muslims and pack animals (e.g. mules, commonly used in the old city) were forbidden to pass beyond this point, and any Muslim within this space was allowed to claim asylum from arrest or prosecution. Today, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the building itself but can now walk up to its doors and around its perimeter. the Zawiya of Sidi Ahmed esh-Shawi, the Zawiya of Sidi Ali Boughaleb, the Zawiya of Moulay Ahmed es-Skalli, and the Zawiya of Sidi Ahmed at-Tijani. == Architecture ==

The most monumental entrance portal of the zawiya building is on its north side, at the foot of the minaret and at the end of a lane leading directly off the major souq street of Tala'a Kebira. This entrance leads into the sahn or main courtyard, which includes a central fountain of white marble dating from the reign of Moulay Ismail (18th century) The tomb itself is covered by a wooden baldaquin incrusted with gold and copper and elaborately decorated with gold Arabic calligraphy. Another small marble column built into the external southern façade of the mausoleum is likely of Almoravid origin. There are several smaller entrances and other elements along the outside of the building, usually marked with intricate decoration. Notably, the external south wall of the building features a grilled window which connects directly to the tomb and where passing Muslims can offer short prayers to bless Moulay Idriss II. Next to this, there is also a small slot opening where passersby may give money as zakat (alms) for the zawiya. File:Doors in south-eastern corner of the Zawiya of Moulay Idris II.jpg|A lesser doorway to the zawiya in its southeastern corner, surrounded by painted wood, carved stucco, and zellij File:Alley on the southern side of the Zawiya of Moulay Idriss II.jpg|Street on the south side of the zawiya; the bridge or raised passage over the street connects the zawiya building (on the left) directly with the house of the khatib (on the right) File:Window to tomb of Moulay Idriss II.jpg|Decoration on the outer wall of the mausoleum, with a grilled window to the tomb (bottom center) where prayers can be offered to Idriss II File:Zawiya Moulay Idris II column in southern facade DSCF3413.jpg|Marble column (left) embedded in the outer south wall of the mausoleum, believed to be a spolia from the Almoravid period File:Fes (15679316737).jpg|Decoration on the outer south wall of the mausoleum, and a slot opening (bottom) for giving alms == Religious practices and ceremonies ==

The tomb of Moulay Idris II draws Moroccan visitors and pilgrims from all over the country due to its religious and historical importance, and many still come seeking baraka, or blessings, by touching the tomb. ==See also==