Sufism, Zawiyas, and the State: The Evolution of Sufism in Algerian Politics

Abstract

This paper examines how Sufi zawiyas (lodges) have shaped political structures in Algeria, interrogating their evolving role from centers of anti-colonial resistance to instruments of state legitimacy. The research question emerges from Algeria’s unique historical trajectory, where Sufi orders have alternately been marginalized, co-opted, and mobilized by successive regimes seeking religious-political validation. The significance of this inquiry lies in Algeria’s historical trajectory, where Sufism has functioned as both a force of resistance and an instrument of state legitimacy. From the anti-colonial mobilization of Sufi orders to their contemporary integration into state institutions, Zawiyas have played a pivotal role in Algeria’s political landscape where Islam remains central to national identity yet is fiercely contested between Sufi, reformist, and Salafist factions. Findings reveal that the Algerian state has strategically engaged Sufi orders to counterbalance Islamist movements, reinforce national identity, and legitimize political authority. Zawiyas have exerted influence in electoral politics, bureaucratic appointments, and religious policymaking, often aligning with state narratives of stability and heritage preservation. The state’s instrumentalization of Sufism has, paradoxically, eroded some zawiyas’ grassroots credibility while reinforcing their institutional role. Their role underscores broader dynamics of religious authority and state-building in North Africa, highlighting the intersection of spiritual legitimacy and political power.