Moulay Idriss

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View of Moulay Idriss from above the town
View of Moulay Idriss from above the town

Moulay Idriss (Arabic: مولاي إدريس) is a town in northern Morocco located around 34°2′60″N, 5°31′0″W. It is named after a descendant of Muhammad, Moulay Idris I, the founder of the Idrisid Dynasty.[1] Moulay is a term roughly equivalent to "Saint". Idris founded both Fez and the city that bears his name. His tomb, located in Moulay Idriss, is a major pilgrimage site for Muslims. Although it is often reported that non-Muslim tourists are strongly discouraged, this is in fact not the case and the town's authorities have recently attempted to dispel this myth.[1]The ruins of the Phoenician and Roman city of Volubilis[2] are located nearby. The nearest big city is Meknes.

Within the other city he founded, Fez, there exists in the old medina a shrine dedicated to Moulay Idriss where the faithful come to burn candles and pray. It is near the enormous Kairaouine Mosque. Entry is restricted to Muslims only.

Idriss I spent five years in Morocco before he was murdered in 792 AD.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Stefan Goodwin, Africa's Legacies of Urbanization: Unfolding Saga of a Continent, 2006, Lexington Books, 514 pages ISBN 0739107313
  2. ^ C. Michael Hogan, Volubilis, The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham (2007)

[edit] External links


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