Cheikh Al Kamel Mausoleum Explained

Cheikh Al Kamel Mausoleum
Native Name:Arabic: ضريح الشيخ الكامل
Native Name Lang:ara
Map Type:Morocco
Map Size:240
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:33.8988°N -5.5706°W
Religious Affiliation:Islam
Location:Meknes, Morocco
Festivals:-->
District:Bab al-Jadid
Region:Fès-Meknès
Country:Morocco
Functional Status:Active
Architecture Type:mausoleum, zawiya and mosque
Architecture Style:Moroccan
Creator:Mohammed ben Abdallah
Established:16th century
Year Completed:1776
Date Destroyed:-->
Minaret Quantity:1
Shrine Quantity:1
Elevation Ft:-->

The Shaykh al-Kamil Mausoleum (Arabic: ضريح الشيخ الكامل), romanized as Cheikh Al Kamel Mausoleum also known as the Mausoleum of al-Hadi ben Issa (ضريح الهادي بنعيسى) is a historic religious complex located in Meknes, Morocco.[1]

It consists of a zawiya, mosque, and the mausoleum of Mohammed al-Hadi ben Issa the founder of the Isawiyya order of Sufism.

History

The mausoleum of Mohamed ben Issa, a prominent Ash'ari scholar and Sufi mystic, was established in the 16th century.[2] Later in 1776, the Alaouite ruler, Mohammed Ben Abdallah, built a completely new structure around the saint's tomb.[3] The minaret appears to have been a later addition. The complex is currently used as both a mosque and mausoleum.[1]

Usage

Mawlid Celebration

See main article: Mawlid. The celebration of Mawlid, which is the celebration of the birth of Muhammad, occurs at the mausoleum.[4] This festival is different from other Mawlids, due to it being done in the unique Issawi style. Instruments like the ta'raj, the brass, the flutes, the drums, the trumpet, are played, before the participants enter a long session of dhikr and meditation. Traditionally, dates are a meal during this festive occasion.

Rituals

The rituals of the Issawi order are performed here.[5] The mausoleum is also the focal point of an annual moussem (a type of Sufi religious festival). Unlike Mawlid, the festival here was brutal in nature, and it was historically known for its displays of self-mutilation. The religious rituals in the festival are intertwined with musical and joyful celebrations that are sometimes violent, including rolling around and drinking blood of animal sacrifices.[6]

Controversy

The mausoleum became known for its presence of homosexuals, and the government tried to suppress the rising of homosexual rituals within the building.[7] These homosexuals claimed to have been the descendants of Aisha, another local patron saint of Meknes.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: El Hadi Ben Aïssa : Le symbole de la délivrance. 2020-11-30. Aujourd'hui le Maroc. 9 September 2008 . fr-FR.
  2. Web site: 2011-02-18. ضريح الشيخ الكامل وجهة مريدي الزوايا - جريدة الصباح. 2020-11-30. assabah.ma. ar.
  3. Book: Aouchar, Amina . Fès, Meknès . Flammarion . 2005 . 9782080108418 . 65 . fr.
  4. Web site: ناصر . هشام . مكناس.. الطوائف العيساوية تضفي طابعا احتفاليا فريدا بمناسبة ذكرى عيد المولد النبوي . 2023-12-20 . الكاتب . ar.
  5. Book: Funck-Brentano, C. . E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936 . Leiden ; New York : E.J. Brill . 1987 . 978-90-04-08265-6 . 5 . 456 . en . Meknes . 1934.
  6. Web site: 2020-10-30 . مكناس تتحول إلى"كعبة" الطوائف العيساوية في عيد المولد النبوي ANFASPRESS - أنفاس بريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية - جريدة إلكترونية مغربية تجدد على مدار الساعة - المغرب - ANFAS PRESS (Ariri Abderrahim) . 2023-12-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201030044028/https://anfaspress.com/news/voir/44786-2018-11-19-11-57-13 . 2020-10-30 .
  7. Web site: 2018-11-21 . طقوس غريبة توقظ "الشيخ الكامل" .. و"جذبة عيساوة" تطرد الجن . 2023-12-20 . Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية . ar.