Morocco began its conversion to Islam in the early 8th century during the Arab Muslim conquests of North Africa. The process unfolded as follows:
1. Initial Muslim Conquests:
- Late 7th Century: The Arab Muslim expansion reached North Africa during the Umayyad Caliphate, with the conquest of regions like Tunisia and Algeria.
- Early 8th Century: By around 708-710 CE, Muslim forces, led by commanders like Musa ibn Nusayr and his Berber general Tariq ibn Ziyad, advanced into the territory of modern-day Morocco.
2. Spread of Islam Among the Berbers:
- Berber Conversion: The indigenous Berber populations of Morocco gradually converted to Islam. This process was not immediate and involved both voluntary conversions and military campaigns. Islam spread as Arab settlers and traders moved into the region, and as Berber tribes adopted the new faith, often blending it with their existing beliefs.
- Integration: The Berber leaders, who played a significant role in resisting the initial Arab invasions, eventually embraced Islam and became important figures in the Islamic expansion into Spain and further afield.
3. Establishment of Islamic Rule:
- Umayyad and Abbasid Influence: Following the initial conquest, Morocco became part of the broader Umayyad Caliphate, and later the Abbasid Caliphate, though local dynasties soon began to assert their independence.
- Founding of the Idrisid Dynasty (788 CE): The establishment of the Idrisid dynasty by Idris I, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, marked the first major Islamic state in Morocco. This dynasty played a crucial role in consolidating Islam in the region and laying the foundations for Moroccan identity.
Summary:
Morocco’s conversion to Islam began in the early 8th century following the Arab Muslim conquests. Over several decades, the indigenous Berber population gradually adopted Islam, leading to the establishment of Islamic rule in the region. The process was solidified with the founding of the Idrisid dynasty in 788 CE, which helped integrate Morocco into the broader Islamic world.
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