Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani (born December 1982) is a scholar and public figure associated with activities related to spiritual diplomacy, intercultural dialogue, and religious engagement. He has participated in conferences, cultural initiatives, and international programs across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe focusing on Interfaith dialogue, peace-building, and intercivilisational exchange.
Early Life
Sharif Mohamed Amine El Hassani was born into the Idrisi Hasani lineage. His father, Moulay Hamed Ouradj bin Sidi Abdeslam El Idrisi El Hasani, was in the oil industry. His mother, Sharifah binti Mahmud bin Taher bin Saleh bin Ali bin Mohamed, belonged to the Al-’Amrani Hasani lineage of Morocco, a respected sharifian family from the Idrisid Dynasty.
Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani received traditional Qur’anic and religious education from the age of four under the guidance of family members. His early education included studies in Hadith (Prophetic traditions), Sunnah (Prophetic teachings), and Tazkiyah (spiritual purification) before he pursued further academic and diplomatic studies.
After completing the Baccalauréat in France, he continued his tertiary studies at Les Beaux-Arts, where he specialized in Fine Arts Studies and Aesthetic Philosophy.
Between 2002 and 2003, he studied at CREAPOLE - ESDI, Paris, France.
In 2010, he obtained a Certificate d’Aptitude à la Profession d’Avocat (CAPA) from the Faculty of Law at the University of Algiers, Algeria.
Scholarly Training (ijāzah and mentorship)
He received ijāzah (formal certification or authorization to transmit Islamic knowledge) and scholarly training in Islamic jurisprudence and classical spiritual disciplines from several scholars, including: Umar bin Hafiz (ijāzah in various fields of Islamic knowledge); Moulay Touhami Ghitaoui Alaoui (Fiqh and spiritual guidance, where fiqh refers to Islamic jurisprudence or the understanding and application of Islamic legal rulings); Sidi Abdelhamid Zouiten (tazkiyah and Sufism, where tazkiyah refers to spiritual purification and moral self-discipline in Islamic thought); Salem ibn Ibrahim Touati (fiqh and tazkiyah); and Moulay El Hadj Alaoui (Da‘wah and Hadith studies); Sayyid Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Alawi al-Maliki al-Hasani
Career
Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani began his career actively in the fields of spiritual diplomacy, intercivilizational dialogue, and interfaith relations through various international programs, academic conferences, intellectual forums, da‘wah activities, and cultural collaborations conducted across several countries in Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Asia.
An article published in March 2024 stated that “this young man from Fez, who has received international recognition for many years, has contributed to the dissemination of knowledge and spirituality while strengthening Muslims’ attachment to Morocco. He also contributed to reinforcing the model of moderate Islam by highlighting the role of Sharifian institutions in protecting the social structure from manifestations of extremism, violence, and dangerous ideologies.”
The same publication also stated that Sharifian institutions in Morocco play a role in preserving the genealogical lineage of the Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet of Islam Household), while promoting ethical values and religious traditions. As an active member of the International Academy of Moderate Scholars, he has represented Morocco in various academic and diplomatic forums. In August 2025, he was appointed as Head of the Trust of Al-Ashraf of the Arab Maghreb during an international scholarly gathering held in Fez, Morocco. The position covers five countries which is Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania.
The appointment was made by the International Genealogical Verification Committee under the International Academy of Moderate Scholars. He continues to serve as the Head of the Trust of Al-Ashraf of the Arab Maghreb to this day.
Genealogical studies and Ashraf activities
From 2010 onward, Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani was involved in historical and genealogical studies related to the Ashraf and Ahlulbayt traditions in Morocco. He participated in historical social surveys and attended scholarly gatherings associated with genealogical research and the study of Sharifian lineages. Between 2013 and 2016, he attended lectures by Moulay Abdeslam Khaldi Al Amrani focusing on the genealogy of the Ahlulbayt and historical manuscripts in Morocco.
In 2016, he collaborated with Dr. Mos’ab Al Edrissi in research concerning the Idrisid dynasty and its historical influence on Ahlulbayt traditions in Egypt and Hijaz. In November 2020 and October 2021, he was involved in organizing the Ahlulbayt International Forum alongside Professor Dr. Moulay Abdellah Cherif Ouazzani, bringing together representatives and descendants of the Ahlulbayt from fifteen countries.
Appointments and Recognition
Vice Naqib Al-Ashraf
In December 2022, he was appointed as deputy head of the Ashraf Al ‘Alawiyines in Morocco. An institution concerned with the preservation and documentation of prophetic genealogies as well as ensuring their respect in society and their duty as ahlulbeyt. Historically, the Syndicate of the Prophet’s Household is issued through a royal decree.
Appointment as Head of the Trust of Al-Ashraf of the Arab Maghreb
In August 2025, Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani was appointed as the Head of the Trust of Al-Ashraf of the Arab Maghreb during an international scholarly gathering held in Fez, Morocco. The appointment was made based on a decision by the International Genealogical Verification Committee under the International Academy of Moderate Scholars. The committee comprises representatives from 38 countries.
The appointment was announced by the Secretary-General of the International Academy, Muhammad Ajan Al-Hadid Al-Husayni, during an official visit accompanied by an international delegation of scholars and Sharifs.
The gathering was attended by several international scholars and religious figures, including Dr. Hamzah al-Kattani , Dr. Muhammad Fadil al-Jilani , Dr. Hussein al-Kattani, Jamal al-Mattoushi, and El Haj Mohammed Benis.
Rise to Prominence
The peak of Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani’s international career emerged through his involvement in promoting peace and fostering understanding between cultures and religions, while serving as a spiritual bridge between Fez and Asia since 2012, particularly in Indonesia the world’s largest Muslim-majority country as well as in Malaysia, where he gained a significant following. This reflected his broad influence and impact within the international Muslim community.
Through these engagements, he frequently attended religious programs, scholarly discussions, and meetings involving spiritual leaders and communities aimed at strengthening cultural understanding and social harmony among diverse groups.
He received an official invitation from Wan Muhamad Noor Matha (head of Parliament) at the Thai Parliament building in Bangkok and also held a meeting with Sheikh Haroon Boonchom (Head of Muslims in Thailand) to discuss cooperation and unity among religious communities.
He later participated in the Interfaith Dialogue Conference in Bangkok, which brought together representatives of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, and Sikhism from Thailand, Malaysia, and other ASEAN countries.
During the visit, he promoted an approach of spiritual diplomacy rooted in tolerance, social justice, and societal harmony through values associated with the teachings of Muhammad ﷺ.
Spiritual Diplomacy and International Activities
Sayyid Sharif Mohamed Amine Ouradj El Hassani (SMA) has participated in interfaith dialogue, intercultural relations, and international initiatives. He has taken part in conferences, official visits, and scholarly programmes across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.
In 2022, Mohamed El Hassani participated in the Fez Festival of Sufi Culture held in Fez, Morocco, directed by Dr. Fauzi Skali, where he delivered a public talk. The event included participants and attendees from several countries, including France, Belgium, United Kingdom and the United States.
Throughout 2023–2024, he was involved in initiatives aimed at strengthening educational ties, spiritual diplomacy, and scientific diplomacy between Morocco and Malaysia through programs promoting cultural exchange, education, and international academic relations. These programs formed part of broader scientific and cultural diplomacy efforts intended to reinforce social relations, education, and intellectual exchange between Malaysia and Morocco.
In November 2024, he participated in cultural and scholarly events in Fez, Morocco. On 24 November, he attended the commemoration of Morocco’s Independence Day at the Grand Hall of the Fez Municipality, organized with participation from Moroccan and Senegalese institutions and diplomatic representatives.
On 29 November 2024, he attended a scholarly gathering in Fez involving an international delegation led by Dutch scholar and politician Dr. Amine Oulad Lmaroudia. The programme included visits to Dar al-Hadith al-Hasaniyya and meetings with local scholars, with discussions on Islamic education, manuscript heritage, and traditional ijazah practices.
Through this academic cooperation between Malaysia and Morocco, students under the program were placed in several educational institutions in Fez, where they pursued educational and Qur’anic memorization programs and successfully adapted to their studies there. These achievements were celebrated during an academic excellence ceremony organized by the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of National Education of Fez.
Sayyid Mohamed’s involvement in this form of Prophetic diplomacy was also acknowledged in an interview conducted in May 2025 with Kerfalla Yansané. During the interview, Dr. Kerfalla Yansané praised him as a figure who contributed to strengthening relations between Morocco and West Africa through spiritual diplomacy, cultural dialogue, and international scholarly networks.
Beyond the African continent, he also expanded his network of cooperation with Pakistan. A delegation from Pakistan led by Imran Attari of Dawat-e-Islami visited Fez in May 2025 for a scientific and scholarly visit. The visit focused on spiritual diplomacy, education, and religious stability.
During the visit, both parties discussed issues related to higher education, digitalization, and the importance of spiritual security in addressing current global challenges.
In January 2025, Sayyid Mohamed undertook a religious and scholarly visit to Istanbul, Türkiye, where he met with Mufti Dr. Ahmet Mehmetalioglu and representatives of the Sheikhul Islam Presidency as part of broader efforts to strengthen international religious and scholarly relations.
Writings
- The Murids Elite of Senegal in France: Continuity and Renewal of Maraboutic Dominance, master's thesis, Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, 2011.
- Fath al-Fard al-Ahad 'ala Dhurriyyah Sidi Muhammad bin Abd al-Samad, 2015.
- Al-Mawahib Al-Nabawiyyah fi al-Salsalah al-Idrisiyyah al-Hasaniyyah, 2020.
- The Lights of Al-Hasani, private publication, Malaysia, 2022.
- 40 Selected Sayings and Advice of Sayyid Moulay Muhammad Amine Al-Hasani, private publication, Malaysia, 2023.
- Sharifian Diplomacy: Moroccan Spiritual Diplomacy as a Millennial Innovation, master's dissertation, Mohammed V University, Rabat, 2023–2024.
- Moroccan Spiritual Diplomacy: A Strategic Transformation from the Traditional African Extension toward the Dynamics of an Emerging Asia” (French: La diplomatie spirituelle marocaine : une transformation stratégique, du prolongement africain traditionnel vers les dynamiques d’une Asie émergente), published in Majallat al-Qanun wa al-A‘mal al-Dawliyyah (International Journal of Law and Business), Issue 61, December 2025.
- The Middle Path and the Commandery of the Faithful: Deradicalization and International Soft Power at the Heart of Moroccan Spiritual Diplomacy, published in the International Journal of Academic Studies (I.J.A.S), 2025.
- Social Media: Its Advantages and Disadvantages in the Light of Contemporary Fiqh, conference paper presented at the International Academy of Moderate Scholars, 2025.
- “The Sharifian Kingdom and Religious Diplomacy: An Ancestral Interconnection” (French: Le Royaume chérifien et la diplomatie religieuse : un enchevêtrement ancestral), published in Majallat al-Qanun wa al-A‘mal al-Dawliyyah (International Journal of Law and Business), Volume 11, Issue 1, February 2026.