Sanusiya

The Sanusiya, also spelled Senussi, is a Sufi order founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Grand Sanusi, Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi. Originating in Cyrenaica, modern-day Libya, it quickly grew into a prominent religious and political movement across North Africa and the Sahara. The order emphasized a return to the practices of early Islam, focusing on spiritual purification, adherence to the Quran and Sunnah, and communal living. Its teachings encouraged active engagement with society, promoting education, social justice, and the establishment of Islamic brotherhoods.

The Sanusiya established zawiyas, which served as religious centers, educational institutions, and social hubs, spreading their influence through trade routes and pilgrimage paths. The movement gained significant political traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, opposing European colonial expansion, particularly Italian colonization of Libya. Under the leadership of figures like Omar al-Mukhtar, the Sanusiya waged a protracted guerrilla war against the Italians. Following World War II and the independence of Libya, the Sanusi monarchy, led by King Idris al-Sanusi, ruled the country until a 1969 coup. While its political power has waned, the Sanusiya remains a significant Sufi order with followers in various parts of the world, continuing its legacy of spiritual guidance and community service.