The zawia and Peacebuilding in the Eastern Rif: The Transformation of Sufi Brotherhoods in Post-Independence Morocco between 1956-1966

This article presents a theoretical approach rooted in Peace Research to examine the religious landscape of the eastern Rif following Morocco's independence. The period of independence positioned religious entities at a critical juncture in their long history, representing a particularly unstable time for the Sufi brotherhoods associated with these zawiyat. The social spaces created by the zawiya have been influenced by new sociocultural dynamics, leading to their transformation and adaptation in response to contemporary demands. This study aims to guide the reader in understanding peace as an ongoing journey that coexists with conflict, emphasizing the peaceful elements that emerge within these Sufi entities. Insights drawn from peace research, particularly the theory of Imperfect Peace, shed light on the dynamism of the zawiya, their roles as agents of social harmony, and the peacebuilding processes they undergo in pursuit of continuous and transformative peace. This exploration focuses on one of the most deeply rooted entities in the eastern Rif.