MILITARY CAMPAIGNS OF THE ALMORAVIDS IN AL-MAGHRIB (NORTH AFRICA) AND BILAD AL-SUDAN (WEST AFRICA) IN THE 11TH CENTURY

The Almoravid Kingdom played an important role in the course of history of Morocco (al-Maghrib) and the Bilad al-Sudan circa the 11^th century A.D. Bennison argued that the Almoravid Kingdom originated from an Islamic reformation movement among the Sanhajah society. Through this movement, the Sanhajah communities were unified, forging a military alliance among them. The movement had a mission of spreading the true teachings of Islam through jihad. It is therefore the objective of this study to analyse the process of jihadi movement of the Almoravids in al-Maghrib and the Sudan in the 11^th century A.D. In general, this article is a qualitative study, using a historical study and content analysis method in accumulating and analysing information available from relevant primary and secondary sources. Results of this study argued that the Almoravid Kingdom began with a reform movement led by Abd Allah ibn Yasin among the Sanhajahs. The movement evolved into a kingdom after seizing control important territories throughout al-Maghrib. This kingdom became more powerful under the leadership of Abu Bakr ibn Umar and Yusuf ibn Tashfin.