Al-Mahdiyya (historical context)

Al-Mahdiyya was a religious and political movement in 19th-century Sudan founded by Muhammad Ahmad in 1881. He declared himself the Mahdi, meaning "Guided One," believing he was destined to restore justice and reject Ottoman-Egyptian domination. His followers, the Mahdist movement, aimed to establish an Islamic state based on their interpretation of Islamic principles. The movement gained significant support, eventually leading to the Mahdist Sudanist state, which resisted external control and sought to unify Muslims under their vision. Al-Mahdiyya is seen as a key moment of Islamic resurgence and anti-colonial resistance in the region.