Es-Saada

''es-Saada'' ( ''Happiness''; November 7, 1904 - December 27, 1956) was an arabophone weekly newspaper published in Morocco that served as the mouthpiece of the French government. The newspaper was financed by France, originally printed at the French Legation in Tangier, and used as a tool with which to spread French ideas among Moroccans. It reached all cities of Greater Morocco. Its content has been described as distinctively colonial and disruptive of public opinion in Morocco.

History

When the newspaper was launched in 1904, its editor was an Algerian named Idriss Khubzawi.

Commenting on the Tangier Crisis of 1905, ''es-Saada'' published:

"''There is no doubt that this French-German Treaty has exposed the Moroccan question and removed all barriers that had previously stood before the French state, as it has acquired—thanks to its foreign minister's good politics and experience in governance—recognition from the German state of all of France's rights in Morocco and what pertains to that, such as old treaties.''"

''es-Saada'' was first published at the French Legation in Tangier, then it moved to Rabat in 1913.

Wadii' Karam

Attacks on the Ulama of Fes

The newspaper's editorial line took a more radical turn when Wadii' Karam (), a Maronite man from Greater Syria, was appointed editor-in-chief in 1906. His editorial line took aim at the Sufi Ulama of Fes after their pledge of allegiance to Abd al-Hafid. An article published on January 15, 1908 described the Ulama of Fes as "renegade revolutionary heretics."

Es-Saada published over 20 articles on the leader of the Kettani Sufi Order and the architect of Fes's conditional allegiance to Abdelhafid in 1908— Muhammad Bin Abd al-Kabiir al-Kettani—and his family and followers. The newspaper pushed the idea that the Sufi sheikh sought to overthrow the monarchy, and lusted after the sultan's power.

"''The Makhzen turned away from al-Kettani, understanding that the man's intention is not to bring up religious matters but that he has an ulterior motive that he dresses in religion. In this regard, the Makhzen did not watch him enough, nor did it surveil his case enough. The Makhzen itself knows what al-Kettani is hiding and knows his intention to pounce on the king and his place in the hearts of the Berbers.''"

Leaders of the Islamic establishment in Fes tried to block the newspaper, which they termed ''ash-Shaqaawa'' ( ''Wretchedness''), from entering the city. On January 30, 1908, '' Le Rappel'' reported that a council of Fesi ''ulama'' declared the prohibition of es-Saada in Fes and that its editor, Wadii' Karam, needed to be punished in an exemplary way.

Notables of Fes also published articles refuting ideas in ''es-Saada'', not hesitating to call out Wadii' Karam by name. These included: '' al-Jaish al-'Aramram li Hazm Wadii' Karam'' ( ''The Vigorous Forces to Defeat Wadii' Karam''), 24 pages printed anonymously on Fes's lithograph press in 1908, and '' Sinan al-Qalam li Tanbiih Wadii' Karam'' ( ''The Quill Tip to Alert Wadii' Karam''), a political journal published by Muhammad al-'Aabid Bin Ahmad Bin Suda.

Attacks on Ma al-'Aynayn

Karam's ''es-Saada'' also carried out an extensive character assassination campaign against Sheikh Ma’ al-‘Ainain, calling the qaid and spiritual leader’s patriotism and religious devotion into question, describing him as an unscrupulous mendicant and arms smuggler, even peddling rumors that his followers were Shii'a.

On Ma’ al-‘Ainain es-Saada published:

"''The sheikh of the Sahara has returned to his old tricks; he stirred up memories when he, discontent with the money he made and the gifts he got passing by the coast on his return to his base, sent his son to Fes to appear before the Makhzen, appealing with his father’s readiness to protect the Makhzen and oust the French from Oujda.''"

and:

"''Abdelaziz had no compassion for the sheikh, nor did he honor him for the sake of his entourage and supporters. We still remember the gifts bestowed upon him last year, and the great wrongs the day the ungrateful sheikh passed through Casablanca, and how the laborers were made to submit to him, supplicating like sheep around a shepherd while their managers jostled to bless him, bearing gifts and money. The sheikh mocks the Makhzen and laughs at it.''"

Under the French Protectorate

With the establishment of the French Protectorate, Resident General Hubert Lyautey moved es-Saada to Rabat October 1913, and it became the official mouthpiece of the French colonial government in Morocco. It was located at Ave. Delcasse. Lyautey provided ample funding and support, and appointed a French Arabist named Eugene Marco (أوجين ماركو) as the director.

It was soon eclipsed in importance by {{Lang, fr, l'Echo du Maroc.

References

Arabic-language newspapers
Tangier
French colonial empire
Defunct newspapers published in Morocco