The sufi tariqahs and their stances on French colonialism in North Africa: Tunisia and Algeria as a case study

After the expansion of Islamic conquests and the decline of the Abbasid Caliphate, different emirates and kingdoms emerged in the Maghreb. This region became a target for Crusades from 1095 to 1291 AD and later faced increased targeting with the emergence of Spanish kingdoms in the 15th century AD. As external threats grew, societies in Arab Maghreb found themselves compelled to confront this colonialism directly through various social frameworks, including tribes and Sufi Tariqahs at their core. The present study investigates the attitudes of Sufi Tariqahs in Algeria and Tunisia toward French colonialism. It delves into the diverse factors impacting their responses, resulting in resistance and support. The findings reveal that the Tariqahs' stances were shaped not only by religious and doctrinal considerations but also by economic, political, and social factors. Additionally, the colonial powers exploited the Tariqahs' desire to safeguard their social and political interests, manipulating them as a means of coercion to alter their attitudes toward colonialism. This research seeks to provide greater insight into these complexities. The study discusses the emergence of Sufi Tariqahs in the Maghreb since the 12th century AD. It referred to the political and social situation of that time, which facilitated the understanding of these Tariqahs in their social and political context. It also provided an overview of the most essential Sufi Tariqahs, their ideas, beliefs, followers, and endowments. The study briefly presents the founders of these Tariqahs and their teachings. Additionally, it mentions the critical branches of these Tariqahs, some of which played an active role in French colonialism. Keywords: French Colonialism, North Africa, Socio-Economic, Sufi Tariqahs.