Senussites

The Sanusi order or Sanusiyyah (Arabic: السنوسية, romanized: as-Sanūssiyya) are a politically conservative Sufi order (tariqa) of Sunni Islam in Libya and North Africa. It was founded in Mecca in 1837 by the Muslim theologian Muhammad ibn Ali al-Sanusi (the "Grand Sanusi") The Sanusi order seek "spiritual identification" with the Prophet Muhammad through the study and emulation of his actions, life and words. The order does not tolerate fanaticism and forbids the use of stimulants as well as living voluntarily in poverty, dependent on charity. Rather they are required to earn a living through work and are to eat and dress within the limits of fiqh. During World War I the Senusi order fought against both Italy and Britain. During World War II, the order provided support to the British Eighth Army in North Africa against Nazi and Fascist Italian forces. The founder's grandson became King Idris I of Libya in 1951. The 1969 Libyan revolution led by Muammar Gaddafi overthrew him, ending the Libyan monarchy. The movement remained active despite persecution by Gaddafi's government, and its cultural legacy continues to this day in Libya, centered on Cyrenaica.