Rahmaniyya


The Rahmaniyya is an Algerian Islamic Sufi brotherhood, founded by Sidi M'hamed Bou Qobrine in his hometown in the Kabylie. The Rahmanyyia, originally known as Khalwatiya, got a strong audience until the nineteenth century. They successfully establish themselves strongly and spread in North Africa.

The founder

Sidi M'hamed was born in the village of Ait Smail, near Boghni in Kabylie. After thirty years of absence, he finally returns home. He first settled in the village of Ait Smail, where he founded a Zaouia. He later decides to move to Algiers to establish another Zaouia. He chose to settle in what would later be the neighborhood of El-Hamma east side of the Casbah.
His Zaouia radiated throughout all Algeria. This Zawiya, welcomed the poor, orphans and strangers. It is also a university where many sciences are taught. It becomes the privileged place of Khalwa of those who come to ask for initiation. Tariqa Khalwatiya became Rahmaniya, in reference to Abderrahmane, the name of his father.

Twentieth century

The politician Mohamed Seghir Boushaki was influenced by the Rahmaniyya Order.