Al-Rashid of Morocco

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Mawlaay al-Rashid (1631-1672) (Arabic: مولاي الرشيد) was Sultan of Morocco from 1666 to 1672.

Mawlaay or Moulay al-Rashid is called the founder of the Alaouite Dynasty.

It was his father Moulay Ali Cherif who took power in Tafilalt around 1630. In 1635 al-Rashid's brother Mawlay Muhammad succeeded their still living father. After the death of their father Mawlay al-Sharif started a venture of his own.

With a small army he settled in the east of Morocco. He was able to expand his power and seize Taza. In 1666 he marched into Fes and took the title of Sultan. After subjugating the northern coastal areas of Morocco he also succeeded in capturing Marrakech in 1669. He occupied the Sus and the Anti-Atlas, which settled the Alaouite power over entire Morocco.

He died in Marrakech in 1672 after a fall from his horse. A brutal but effective ruler, he had managed to bring some law and order to Morocco that had been torn apart by chaos.

He was succeeded by Ismail Ibn Sharif.