Spirituality
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Zaouïa Bassiriya of Beni Ayat, province of Azilal, hosted on June 17 and 18, 2026 an important international scientific meeting bringing together ulama, researchers and academics from Morocco as well as several Arab, African, European and American countries, at the initiative of the Mohammed Bassir Foundation for research, studies and media, under the theme “Sufi scholars : from the transmission of knowledge to educational behavior and societal reform.
In his opening speech, Cheikh Moulay Ismaïl Bassir, president of the Mohammed Bassir Foundation for Research, Studies and Media and servant of the Tariqa Bassiriya, underlined the importance of the chosen theme, highlighting the contributions of Sufi scholars to the dissemination of the values of moderation, spiritual education and serving the causes of societal reform.
The inaugural session was also marked by the interventions of the president of the council of ulemas of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, Dr Mustapha Zamhani, the dean of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of Béni Mellal, Dr Mohammed Benlachehab, representing the department of Islamic studies, the educational coordinator of the Master “Religious sciences and civilizational construction” at the Mohammed V University of Rabat, Dr Abdelrazak Al-Jaï, as well as Ismail Marji.
The opening was crowned by an inaugural conference led by Sheikh Abdelhadi Al-Kharsa, devoted to “The articulation between Sharia and the spiritual path in the journey of scholars”, highlighting the complementarity between the scientific and educational dimensions of the Sunni Sufi experience.
This ceremony took place in the presence of the wali of the Béni Mellal-Khénifra region, the governor of the province of Azilal, the president of the regional council, the president of the council of ulemas of the region, the president of the local council of ulemas of Azilal, as well as representatives of local authorities, elected officials, officials of external services, researchers, students and disciples of the Zaouïa Bassiriya.
On the sidelines of this meeting, a partnership and cooperation agreement was signed between the Mohammed Bassir Foundation for research, studies and media (Laâyoune section) and the “Arah Tay Modou” Association of popular and traditional sports, with the aim of promoting cultural and scientific cooperation and promoting heritage and identity.
This scientific event is part of a dynamic aimed at highlighting the intellectual, educational and reforming roles played by Sufi scholars throughout the different eras, as well as their contribution to the training of the individual, the consolidation of the values of the golden mean and moderation and in the service of the issues of human development and social reform.
Scientific communications between Sufi heritage and contemporary issues
The various scientific sessions were marked by high-level academic communications presented by researchers from Morocco, Iraq, Nigeria, Canada, Palestine and other countries.
The debates focused in particular on Sufi thought at Abou Naïm Al-Isfahani, the reform efforts of Sufis in Morocco, the contributions of artificial intelligence in the preservation and dissemination of spiritual heritage, the role of brotherhoods in education and social cohesion, as well as the challenges of civilizational renewal and the strengthening of spiritual security.
Participants also addressed themes related to the digital governance of Sufi heritage, family and social mediation, restorative justice, as well as the doctrinal and educational foundations of moderate Sunni Sufism.
A closing consecrating the role of Sufism in the reform of man and society
The work of this international scientific meeting ended on June 18 with a session of dikr, spiritual songs and religious panegyrics led by the artist Ali Rabbahi and his troupe, before the reading of a message of fidelity and loyalty addressed to Amir Al Mouminine, His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
In their final recommendations, the participants stressed that moderate Sunni Sufism has constituted, throughout history, a major lever of religious, educational and social reform, contributing to the formation of the individual, the consolidation of the values of moderation and the preservation of spiritual security.
