Almohadic Recollections in Post-Revolutionnary Morocco

Since 2011, the Arab revolutions have sparked profound political and social changes in affected societies, including Morocco. These revolutions were not homogeneous movements but moments of collective effervescence, where new ideals began to form, reshaping social, political, and religious affiliations. In Morocco, the February 20 Movement symbolized the alliance between the militant left, trade unions, and the religious Justice and Benevolence brotherhood. The state's response involved authoritarian liberalization, accelerating economic deregulation and the privatization of public services, particularly in health and education. This policy deepened social inequalities, promoting the rise of new social groups and moral values.

Recent years have witnessed the rise of neo-nationalist movements, with the Moorish movement being a prominent example. Independent of traditional political structures, this movement advocates radical irredentism and conservatism, particularly regarding gender relations and racial minorities, such as West African migrants. The movement asserts the existence of a "Moorish race" as the biological foundation of the Moroccan nation, reviving historical narratives from the Almohad period. This raises questions about how neo-nationalism, rooted in a racialized ideology, coexists with earlier anti-colonial nationalist movements. The movement’s use of historical memory, particularly the Almohad legacy, and its conceptualization of time emphasize its distinct ideological framework. Led by urban intellectuals often educated in Europe, the Moorish opposes institutional political Islam and draws inspiration from the messianic figure Mahdi ibn Toumart, founder of the Almohad Empire. This eschatological rhetoric contributes to the ethnicization of religious identity, blending it with neonationalistic aspirations.

This paper aims at exploring the hybridization of religious and political norms in Morocco, considering deepening social differentiation and individualization. Through ethnographic research with Moorish movement members, it examines the emergence of neo-nationalism in Morocco following the Arab revolutions and its impact on political and religious dynamics.