Cheikh Al Kamel Mausoleum
| Cheikh Al Kamel Mausoleum | |
|---|---|
Arabic: ضريح الشيخ الكامل | |
 | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Islam |
| District | Bab al-Jadid |
| Region | Fès-Meknès |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Meknes, Morocco |
| Country | Morocco |
  Location in Morocco | |
| Geographic coordinates | 33°53′56″N 5°34′14″W / 33.8987900°N 5.5705515°W |
| Architecture | |
| Type | mausoleum, zawiya and mosque |
| Style | Moroccan |
| Creator | Mohammed ben Abdallah |
| Date established | 16th century |
| Completed | 1776 |
| Specifications | |
| Minaret(s) | 1 |
| Shrine(s) | 1 |
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.[1]
History[edit]
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.[4]
Usage[edit]
Mawlid Celebration[edit]
The celebration of Mawlid, which is the celebration of the birth of Muhammad, occurs at the mausoleum.[5] This festival is different from other Mawlids, due to it being done in the unique Issawi style.[5] 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.[5] Traditionally, dates are a meal during this festive occasion.[5]
Rituals[edit]
The rituals of the Issawi order are performed here.[6] The mausoleum is also the focal point of an annual moussem (a type of Sufi religious festival).[6] Unlike Mawlid, the festival here was brutal in nature, and it was historically known for its displays of self-mutilation.[6] 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.[7]
Controversy[edit]
The mausoleum became known for its presence of homosexuals, and the government tried to suppress the rising of homosexual rituals within the building.[8] These homosexuals claimed to have been the descendants of Aisha, another local patron saint of Meknes.[8]
Gallery[edit]
-
The entrance to the mausoleum -
The courtyard of the building, covered by glass roof -
Doorway and entrance to the prayer hall -
The tomb of one of Mohammed Al-Hadi ben Issa's descendants -
Hallway -
Several graves of commoners, behind the mausoleum
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "El Hadi Ben Aïssa : Le symbole de la délivrance". Aujourd'hui le Maroc (in French). 9 September 2008. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ "ضريح الشيخ الكامل وجهة مريدي الزوايا - جريدة الصباح". assabah.ma (in Arabic). 2011-02-18. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ Aouchar, Amina (2005). Fès, Meknès (in French). Flammarion. p. 65. ISBN 9782080108418.
- ^ "El Hadi Ben Aïssa : Le symbole de la délivrance". Aujourd'hui le Maroc (in French). 9 September 2008. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
- ^ a b c d ناصر, هشام. "مكناس.. الطوائف العيساوية تضفي طابعا احتفاليا فريدا بمناسبة ذكرى عيد المولد النبوي". الكاتب (in Arabic). Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ a b c Funck-Brentano, C. (1987) [1934]. "Meknes". E.J. Brill's first encyclopaedia of Islam, 1913-1936. Vol. 5. Leiden ; New York : E.J. Brill. p. 456. ISBN 978-90-04-08265-6.
- ^ "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 )". 2020-10-30. Archived from the original on 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ a b "طقوس غريبة توقظ "الشيخ الكامل" .. و"جذبة عيساوة" تطرد الجن". Hespress - هسبريس جريدة إلكترونية مغربية (in Arabic). 2018-11-21. Retrieved 2023-12-20.