Fès el Bali, Morocco’s oldest walled city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, continues to draw a growing number of tourists and religious pilgrims alike. Founded in the 9th century, the medina’s significance extends far beyond its historical architecture; it is indeed a deeply revered center for the Tijani Sufi order, housing the tomb of its founder, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tijani. This has transformed Fès el Bali into a key destination for Muslims across Africa, and a focal point of Morocco’s burgeoning tourism industry as it prepares to host major international events like the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
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- Author, Ibrahim Yusuf Mohammed
- Reporting from, BBC Abuja
Fès el Bali, a historic city in north-central Morocco, functions as a city within a city, attracting both residents and a growing number of international visitors.
Founded between the 8th and 9th centuries, the ancient medina is a cultural crossroads for Morocco and a significant religious site for millions of followers of the Tijani Sufi order, as it is the final resting place of Sheikh Ahmed al-Tijani, a highly revered Islamic scholar and saint.
Despite being located within Morocco, the presence of Sheikh al-Tijani’s tomb has elevated Fès el Bali’s importance for Muslims across Africa and around the globe.
Pilgrims from Senegal, Mali, and Nigeria are among those who travel to the city to pay their respects.
The Significance of Fès el Bali
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Fès el Bali a World Heritage site in 1981, recognizing it as the Medina of Fès.
The city has largely preserved its historical character, boasting thousands of streets, numerous mosques, schools, markets, and homes.
In 2023 alone, Fès el Bali welcomed over 1.5 million visitors, contributing to Morocco’s position as Africa’s most popular tourist destination.
Ahmed Sentissi, director of the Moroccan Tourism Authority, explained the government’s efforts to improve the city’s infrastructure: “Every year, millions of people visit Fès, and we must meet their needs. Last year, we hosted the Africa Cup of Nations, and in 2030, we will host the FIFA World Cup; we must therefore prepare for it,” he said.
Religion plays a central role in life in Fès el Bali, with the call to prayer resonating from the city’s many mosques.
Despite the influx of millions of tourists from around the world, the ancient medina remains a place of worship, commerce, and residence for the region’s large population.
Fès is also home to the University of Al Quaraouiyine, frequently cited as the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world. Founded as a mosque by Fatima al-Fihri between 857 and 859, it later evolved into a leading center of learning.
Students come from across Morocco, West Africa, and abroad. The university began admitting women in the 1940s, following pressure from women’s rights groups on the then-colonial French government.
Who is Sheikh Ahmad Al Tijani?
Sheikh Ahmed Al Tijani was born on June 13, 1737, in Aïn Madhi, Algeria.
He studied the Quran under Mohammed Ba’afiyya in Aïn Madhi and also studied works on jurisprudence by Khalil ibn Ishaq al-Jundi, written within the Maliki school of thought.
In 1757, Tijani left his village for Fès, where he joined three Sufi brotherhoods: the Qadiriyya, the Nasiriya, and the brotherhood of Ahmad al-Habib ibn Muhammed.
He then taught for a year in Tunis, where he achieved great success. From Tunis, he traveled to Egypt, where he met Mahmud al-Kurdi, of the Khalwati brotherhood, in Cairo. Tijani arrived in Mecca at the end of 1773 and performed the Hajj.
In 1781, Sheikh Ahmed Tijani founded the Tijaniyya order.
His teachings were quickly accepted in the Arab regions surrounding Abi Samghun. Sheikh Tijani lived in Abi Samghun for about fifteen years before returning to Fès in 1792.
In Fès, Tijani was well received by Mawlay Sulayman, the king of Morocco, who offered him a house and appointed him to his council of scholars.
Beyond his Islamic scholarship, Sheikh Ahmed el Tijani was a successful businessman and a generous benefactor to the poor.
He was buried in Fès after his death in 1815.
The Tomb of Sheikh Ahmad Al Tijani
The mausoleum of Thiqat al-Tijani, located near the renowned Al-Quaraouiyine University, is a pilgrimage site for millions of Tijani Muslims worldwide, as it houses the tomb of Sheikh Ahmed al-Tijani.
Originally built in 1800, it has been expanded over the centuries. During the annual celebration of the Prophet’s birthday, it becomes an important place of worship for Muslims from many countries, including Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt, as well as sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Senegal, Mali, and Nigeria.
Upon his death in 1815, al-Tijani was buried in this mausoleum, which has since been enlarged.
The site holds immense importance for the Tijaniyya community and Muslims in general. Many travel there to pray, as explained by Sheikh Halliru Maraya, a prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar: “It is the burial place of a saint. And as scholars say, wherever the name of a true servant of Allah is mentioned, divine mercy descends.”
Sheikh Maraya adds that the site is important because it houses the tomb of a Quran reciter and a pious person, inspiring all who visit his grave and encouraging them to follow his example.
“You will find members of the Tijaniyya community and people outside of this community, including non-Muslims, frequenting this place because it has been blessed by Allah,” Sheikh Maraya concludes.
