Sharif Muhammad al-Hijami
| Sharif Muhammad al-Hijami | |
|---|---|
| Native name | الشريف محمد بن أحمد بن علي الحجامي الإدريسي الحسني الهاشمي |
| Born | 1864 Zaouia al-Hijamiya, al-Jaïa, Morocco |
| 19441944 | |
| 🏳️ Nationality | Moroccan |
| 💼 Occupation | Religious leader, political figure, resistance leader |
| Movement | Nassiriya Sufi order |
| 👶 Children | * Sheikh Ahmed ibn Muhammad al-Hijami
|
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) | Ahmed bin Ali al-Hijami (father) |
Sharif Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Ali al-Hijami al-Idrissi al-Hassani al-Hashimi, also known as Sidi Muhammad al-Hijami (alternatively spelled El-Hadjami), was a leader of the anti-colonial Moroccan resistance following the signing of the Treaty of Fez in 1912. He was also a sheikh of the Nassiriya Sufi order.
Biography
Muhammad al-Hijami was born in 1864[1] at the Zaouia al-Hijamiya, a religious lodge founded by his ancestor Sidi Boumediene al-Hijami.[2] The lodge was located in the Beni Mohamed village of the al-Jaïa tribe. He belonged to a family of Idrisid Sharifian descent, tracing his lineage back to Sidi Abd'Allah al-Hajjam, a descendant of Idris I.[3]
Like his father Ahmed al-Hijami before him and his son, the prominent jurist Ahmed ibn Muhammad al-Hijami after him, Muhammad al-Hijami served as a sheikh of the Nassiriya Sufi order.[3] Prior to 1912, he was largely unknown outside his immediate religious circles. His father resided among the Awlad Aliyan under the protection of Sheikh Ali Benslimane El Mahyaoui El Hayani of the Hyayna tribe.[4]
Resistance
In April 1912, following the establishment of the French protectorate via the Treaty of Fez,[5] which was widely perceived as a national humiliation, Sharif Muhammad al-Hijami successfully united several tribes in the Fez region. He rallied factions such as the Hyayna, Tsoul, Branes, Ghiata, Bani Ouarain, and Bani Sadden to launch a jihad against the French army[6][7] and its leadership under Resident-General Hubert Lyautey.[8]
May 1912
On 9 May, Al-Hijami traveled to the Feshtala tribe to preach jihad, while one of his emissaries spoke on his behalf at the souk of Khamis al-Kour to gather backing from local clans opposed to the European presence.[4]
By 15 May, al-Hijami dispatched a message to around 6,000 insurgents gathered at Boumershed, instructing them to combine forces for an upcoming offensive against Fez. The following day, an additional 3,000 mountain tribal fighters arrived to reinforce the position.
Siege of Fez (25 May – 1 June 1912)
Working alongside Sidi Raho, al-Hijami assembled between 3,000 and 10,000 tribal horsemen[9]—with some estimates reaching 15,000[10]—to besiege the city.
In response, General Henri Gouraud was dispatched from Berrechid in the Chaouia region to reinforce Lyautey's garrison at Fez. Al-Hijami's multi-tribal coalition successfully cut off the city's communications, disabling the telegraph lines.[11] Although groups of resistance fighters successfully breached the city walls, they were ultimately pushed back into the outskirts by Gouraud's infantry, cavalry, and artillery detachments.[10]
June 1912
On 1 June, Gouraud ordered a full counter-offensive. As al-Hijami's forces moved down the southern ravines of Mount Zelagh, French 75mm and 65mm batteries deployed shrapnel shells against them, inflicting heavy losses.[12]
The remaining resistance forces retreated toward their base at Hajera al-Kohila. Gouraud's columns pursued them the following day, striking the camp and leaving over 800 Moroccans dead. During the capture of the camp, French forces recovered al-Hijami's strategic planning correspondence.[12][13]
Following this setback, al-Hijami retreated to the right bank of the Ouergha River over the summer to regroup. By the spring of 1913, he resumed active combat alongside the Bani Ouarain and Beni Mtir tribes.[14] He dispatched Sheikh al-Rabi' Kharbish to mobilize the Ghiata tribe while keeping his own headquarters stationed in Hyayna territory.[4][15] On 8 June, following the Sultan's departure from Fez, al-Hijami issued a written appeal to the inhabitants of the northeast to gather at Ain Bou Mershed and restart the campaign.[4] Around mid-June, another prominent resistance leader, Moulay Mohamed ben Hassan al-Semlali, emerged to join the anti-colonial efforts.[4]
Battle of Awlad Riab
On 17 June 1912, an engagement took place within the territory of the Awlad Riab (a major branch of the Hyayna tribe). General Grou's force of six battalions and three artillery batteries had reached the heart of the region on 15 June, establishing a base at the Thula al-Nakhila market.
Two days later, Hyayna fighters launched an attack on the Durand Division. While artillery under Colonel Mazillier initially checked the charge, the resistance fighters successfully surrounded the French column. General Gouraud noted receiving a dispatch stating that Mazillier's force had been pursued as far as Beni Sadane, suffering high casualties in extreme summer temperatures. Gouraud moved out with reinforcements to break the encirclement; Commander Giralt led a relief operation with two tirailleur platoons and a 75mm battery, successfully dispersing al-Hijami’s forces and extracting the besieged unit.[16]
Battle of Wadi Inawin
On 19 June 1912, resistance fighters crossed from the right to the left bank of the Inawin River valley. A large engagement began around 13:00 and continued until 16:30.
Finding his rear guard harassed, Gouraud dispatched a company to reinforce his lines, identifying that they were being systematically blocked by al-Hijami's forces. The Steimetz regiment was deployed to clear the ridges, eventually forcing a passage. French units under Guillon and Verdet subsequently carried out a sweeping operation against the heights overlooking the river. Though the strategic positions were secured by nightfall, French forces suffered casualties, including two wounded officers.[16]
Battle of Karana and Capture of the Mechta
On 22 June 1912, al-Hijami engaged French columns at Karana, but his forces were repelled by artillery fire. Gouraud reported that cavalry from the Beni Sadane tribe appeared on the eastern heights, where al-Hijami was believed to be holding his position, though the Sharif managed to withdraw before his position was overrun.[16] Gouraud subsequently seized the Mechta and the Koudia of Guerrana, where al-Hijami had personally directed the defensive lines with his standard banner.[17]
Later campaigns (1912–1914)
In October 1912, a public statement was released claiming that the Sharif had agreed to cease hostilities. However, this proved to be a ruse, and he shortly returned to active resistance.[18] By April 1914, after months of sustained campaigning, al-Hijami met directly for the first time with French military representatives; French observers frequently compared al-Hijami's role to that of Emir Abdelkader in Algeria.[19]
In May 1914, General Gouraud launched a bayonet assault directly targeting the joint encampment of al-Hijami and the rebel figure known as the Rogui, dismantling their base in a small village.[20] Following this action, the surrounding al-Jaïa, Sanhaja, and Awlad Aissa tribes submitted to French authority. Al-Hijami was forced to seek refuge with the Méziate tribe around Taounate, while his ally the Rogui was reportedly killed by the Bani Zeroual.[21] On 6 May 1914, Marshal Lyautey traveled from Fez to join Gouraud at the market of Tissa to oversee submission negotiations with local tribal leaders.[20]
In June 1914, the remaining partisan forces of al-Hijami along with elements of the Hyayna conducted raids into Sless tribal territory. In retaliation, French forces under General Henrys seized the market of the Bani Said to suppress the remaining resistance in the sector.[22] Al-Hijami ceased active military operations thereafter and died in 1944.
January 1915
German delegations were dispatched to several anti-colonial leaders to support their resistance against France, presenting them with gold as funding. Among those contacted were Sharif Muhammad al-Hijami, Moha ou Hammou Zayani, Mimoun al-Chinguetti, Ahmed al-Hiba, and Sidi Raho.[23]
October 1917
The Sharif continued to stir resistance and encourage insubmission among the Senhaja Mosbah, Branes, and Tsoul tribes.[24]
February 1918
During this month, al-Hijami allied with Mulai Ahmed er-Raisuni and other anti-colonial leaders who had declared jihad, launching a large-scale anti-French propaganda campaign throughout Morocco.[25]
April 1918
Al-Hijami remained the prominent leader directing the jihad of the Bani Melloul and the Al-Jaïa tribes, the latter being the clan that had originally welcomed his ancestors into their territory.[26]
April 1919
When a conflict erupted between the French-submitted Metioua tribe and the independent Sanhaja tribe, several contingents moved to reinforce the Sanhaja. These included the Bani Amret, Mernissa, Zerket, Targuist, and various Rifian factions, alongside resistance leaders such as Sharif Muhammad al-Hijami, Mimoun al-Chinguetti, al-Khimlichi, and Hamidou Al-Ouazzani.[27]
Later life
By 1926, al-Hijami was too old to continue active combat. His sons, Ahmed and Idris, took over leadership and joined the Rifian forces in their war against the Spanish. The forces led by Ahmed ben Mohamed al-Hijami comprised fighters from the Metioua, Hyayna, Meziate, and al-Jaïa tribes, among others.[2]
Idris al-Hijami was eventually captured by Spanish forces, who offered to release him in exchange for the family halting their jihad, an offer Ahmed refused. The organized resistance of the Hijami family concluded after a prolonged siege of the mujahideen, during which many fell in battle. Following the fall of the territory to French forces, the family was placed under house arrest and given a choice of residence between the Hyayna and Hamdan tribal territories. They chose Hamdan, where Sharif Muhammad al-Hijami spent his final years and died.[2]
Descendants
Despite decades of near-continuous warfare, al-Hijami left a documented lineage:
- Ahmed Ibn Ali al-Hijami al-Idrissi
- Sharif Muhammad ibn Ahmed al-Hijami al-Idrissi
- Sheikh Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmed al-Hijami
- Abd al-Latif ibn Ahmed al-Hijami
- Idris ibn Muhammad al-Hijami
- Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Hijami
- Sheikh Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Ahmed al-Hijami
- Sharif Muhammad ibn Ahmed al-Hijami al-Idrissi
See also
References
- ↑ معلمة المغرب - 10 (in العربية). p. 3320. Retrieved 2026-01-23. Search this book on
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "العالم الفقيه أحمد الحجامي: مكتبة شفوية ومعلمة علمية فقدها المغرب" (in العربية). Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "الشيخ الفقيه الحجامي رحمه الله : سيرة علمية ومسيرة جهادية !" (in العربية). 2004-01-24. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "مقاومان مغربيان.. الحجامي والسملالي". Howiya Press (in العربية). 2020-12-29. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
- ↑ Agrour, Rachid (2023-10-17). Le mouvement hibiste: Jihad et résistances dans le Sud marocain (1910-1934) (in français). Presses universitaires de Rennes. p. 72. ISBN 978-2-7535-9605-4. Retrieved 2024-06-09. Search this book on
- ↑ Al-Abd, al-Hassan (2021-09-21). "المنبر الحر | الحركة الوطنية والجهاد في حاضرة فاس". Al-Ousboue الصحفي (in العربية). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ↑ L'Afrique française: bulletin monthly du Comité de l'Afrique française et du Comité du Maroc (in français). Siège du Comité. 1912. Retrieved 2024-07-31. Search this book on
- ↑ "Histoire de la Confédération Tribale des Hyayna - The Moorish Times". moorishtimes.com (in français). Retrieved 2024-06-08.
- ↑ Denglos, Guillaume (2018-03-14). Juin: Le maréchal africain (in français). Humensis. ISBN 978-2-410-01360-3. Retrieved 2024-06-09. Search this book on
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Perigny, Maurice (1910). Au Maroc; Fès, la capitale du Nord. Paris : P. Roger. Retrieved 2024-07-27. Search this book on
- ↑ Andurain, Julie d' (2022-11-17). Le Général Gouraud: Un destin hors du commun, de l'Afrique au Levant (in français). Place des éditeurs. ISBN 978-2-262-10160-2. Retrieved 2024-06-22. Search this book on
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedLe Général Gouraud: Un destin hors du commun, de l'Afrique au Levant - ↑ Gorrée, Georges (1953-01-01). Sur les traces du Père de Foucauld (in français). FeniXX digital reprint. ISBN 978-2-307-07822-7. Retrieved 2024-06-22. Search this book on
- ↑ Rivet, Daniel R. (1988). Lyautey et l'institution du Protectorat français au Maroc, 1912-1925 (in français). L'Harmattan. ISBN 978-2-85802-854-2. Retrieved 2024-06-22. Search this book on
- ↑ "L'Éclair comtois : journal d'union libérale quotidien". Gallica (in français). 1912-06-07. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 ""مقاومة قبائل الحياينة للاستعمار الفرنسي"" (in العربية).
- ↑ Revue historique de l'Armée (in français). Ministère des armées. 1952. Retrieved 2024-07-24. Search this book on
- ↑ "L'Aurore : littéraire, artistique, sociale / dir. Ernest Vaughan ; réd. Georges Clemenceau". Gallica (in français). 1912-10-30. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ↑ Denglos, Guillaume (2018-03-14). Juin: Le maréchal africain (in français). Humensis. ISBN 978-2-410-01360-3. Retrieved 2024-06-22. Search this book on
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Le Républicain de Chinon : journal politique, agricole, commercial, sportif et d'annonces judiciaires". Gallica (in français). 1914-05-14. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
- ↑ "Le Courrier colonial : organe de Madagascar et des colonies de l'Océan indien". Gallica (in français). 1914-05-08. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ↑ Augé, Claude; Augé, Paul (1928). Larousse mensuel illustré (in français). Librairie Larousse. Retrieved 2024-07-27. Search this book on
- ↑ "Midi colonial : ex-Marseille horticole : Marine, commerce, industrie, agriculture, horticulture". Gallica (in français). 1918-06-27. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ↑ French Army General Staff Historical Service (1930–1939). Les armées françaises dans la Grande guerre. Tome IX. 9,3 (in français). Retrieved 2024-07-24. Search this book on
- ↑ Bicer, Abdil (2004). "La propagande anti-française au Maroc en 1915". Revue historique des Armées. 235 (2): 45–54. doi:10.3406/rharm.2004.5596. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
- ↑ "Rapport mensuel d'ensemble du protectorat". Gallica (in français). 1918-04-01. Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ↑ Comité des foires du Maroc (1919-06-15). "France-Maroc : revue mensuelle illustrée : organe du Comité des foires du Maroc". Gallica (in français). Retrieved 2024-07-24.
- ↑ "عبد اللطيف الحجامي : العائلة والإنسان" (in العربية). 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
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