Alaouite

/ ˈæləˌwiːt /

noun

1. a member of a Shiite sect of Syrian Muslims

adjective

1. of or relating to this sect

Word History and Origins

Origin of Alaouite¹

via French from Arabic, from 'alaoui upper, celestial, from 'ala (vb) to excel, surpass

Example Sentences

In precolonial Morocco, the imposing grandeur of the Atlas Mountains marked the boundary between the bilad el-makhzen — land under the rule of the Alaouite sultan — and the bilad el-siba, or “region of anarchy.”

Read more on New York Times

These were precolonial distinctions that divided the area under the rule of the 17th-century Alaouite dynasty from the ungoverned tribal area in the south that had not submitted to its authority.

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“There are a huge number of motor sports that go on in Morocco – this is the world’s playground for off road races – but this is the only one that has that level of respect from the host country,” said Serra, who was awarded the Order of Ouissam Alaouite, the country’s equivalent to America’s Legion of Merit or France’s Legion of Honour, by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI in 2013.

Read more on The Guardian

King Mohammed is a member of the Alaouite dynasty that has been ruling Morocco for some 350 years, claiming a direct line of descent from the Prophet Muhammad.

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Officials say Morocco's commitment to reform has never been as palpable as under King Mohammed who -- as a member of the Alaouite dynasty that has been ruling Morocco for some 350 years and claims descent from the Prophet Mohammad -- is considered sacred by the constitution.

Read more on Reuters