Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Morocco)

The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco (Arabic: وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية بالمملكة المغربية) is a government body in Morocco responsible for overseeing religious affairs.^[1][2][3] It was established in 1955 and manages Islamic endowments (habous), supervises the construction and maintenance of mosques, and oversees the training and appointment of imams.^[4] The ministry also regulates religious discourse in alignment with Morocco’s official Islamic tradition, which is based on the Maliki school of jurisprudence, Ashʿari theology, and elements of Sufi practice.^[5][6] It operates under the authority of the King of Morocco, who holds the islamic and constitutional title Amir al-Mu’minin (Commander of the Faithful).^[7][8]

Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of Morocco

وزارة الأوقاف والشؤون الإسلامية بالمملكة المغربية
Ministry overview
Formed	1955 (1955)
Jurisdiction	Government of Morocco
Headquarters	Rabat, Morocco
Minister responsible	Ahmed Toufiq
Ministry executive	Mohammed VI of Morocco, King of Morocco
Website	www.habous.gov.ma

History

After Morocco gained independence in 1955, the management of Islamic endowments changed from the colonial-era system, which was known as the office of the Nazira of Nazirs and the Banika of Habous, to a government body called the Ministry of Habous.^[9] Muhammad al-Mukhtar al-Soussi served as minister from 1955 to 1967. Although no new minister was appointed after that period, the institution continued to operate.^[10] In 1963, it was reorganized and became the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. Its structure and responsibilities were later defined by official documents, including a royal decree issued on 9 Shawwal 1424, which corresponds to December 24, 2003, and a ministerial decision dated 28 Dhu al-Qi'dah 1424, which corresponds to January 21, 2004.^[11] In 2004, King Mohammed VI ordered the preparation of a legal framework for managing endowments based on the Maliki school of Islamic law. The new Endowment Code was put into effect in 2011.^[12] Under this code, the ministry is responsible for approving transactions that deal with endowment property worth less than five million dirhams and for managing them according to the law.^[13]