On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa, Deputy Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), took part in the first scientific symposium held in tribute to the scholar Moulay Mustapha bin Ahmed Alaoui (1912–2007). The event was organized by the Local Council of Scholars of Meknes under the theme: “Moulay Mustapha Ben Ahmed Alaoui: Patriot, Scholar, Politician, and Educator.”

Several national and academic figures took part in the symposium. The first session, opened with a lecture by Dr. Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary-General of the Mohammadia League of Scholars, reviewed the intellectual and activist career of Moulay Mustapha Alaoui. This was followed by contributions from Dr. Mustapha El Ktiri, High Commissioner for Former Members of the Resistance and the Liberation Army; Dr. Idriss Khalifa, university professor and member of the Higher Council of Scholars; and Dr. Hamou Ouramo, President of the Local Council of Scholars of Meknes. Each highlighted different stages of the late scholar’s life and his contributions in service of the faith and the Ummah.

Dr. Ahmed Said Ould Bah, Advisor to the Director-General of ICESCO, shared a special testimony about the relationship between Mr. Alaoui and his father, the late Dr. Mohamed El Mokhtar Ould Bah, recounting their work together at the Foundation of African Scholars, as well as other shared scientific and national experiences.

Dr. Abdelilah Benarafa also recounted his experience as a young student of Mr. Alaoui, attending his classes at the Institute of Quranic Studies, known as Dar al-Quran, in Rabat. The institute was established—alongside Dar El Hadith El Hassania—by the late King Hassan II to promote Quranic and Hadith sciences.

During the second session, several academics and professors revisited the life of Mr. Alaoui, recalling his scientific contributions and pioneering role in education, preaching, and politics.

Over the course of his life, Mr. Alaoui held several prominent positions, including Director of the newspaper Al-A’ahd al-Jadid, appointed in 1957 by the late King Mohammed V. He later served as Head of the Sahara and Mauritania Directorate at the Ministry of the Interior in 1959, and subsequently as Director of the Political Directorate in the same ministry. From 1963 to 1965, he served as a Member of Parliament for the Gheris Basin constituency. Under the reign of His Majesty King Hassan II, he was appointed Director of Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania (1966–1977), then served as Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Advisor to the same ministry, President of the Local Council of Scholars of Meknes, and President of the League of Scholars of Morocco and Senegal.

Mr. Alaoui also distinguished himself through his work in verification and interpretation. He verified the first and tenth volumes of the book “Introduction to the Meanings and Chains of Transmission Found in the Muwatta of Mâlik,” by Imam Ibn Abd al-Barr al-Qurtubi, and provided interpretations for around fifty verses of the Holy Qur’an.

This scientific symposium is part of a series organized by Scholars Councils across Morocco to celebrate prominent Muslim scholars, preserve their heritage, and highlight their scholarly contributions.