Encyclopedia of Islam

as the country’s cultural center. During the 20th
century, the city’s political prominence was eclipsed
by Rabat, and its economic dominance was claimed
by Casablanca. The establishment of a modern uni-
versity in Rabat has even robbed Fez of its distinc-
tion as Morocco’s intellectual center. Much of the
historic Medina has fallen into disrepair, despite
attempts by various groups to restore it. Debate
continues over what lies ahead for this “jewel of
Spanish-Arabic civilization” and whether Fez can
make a future for itself to rival its glorious past.
See also andalUsia; cities.

Stephen Cory

Further reading: Titus Burckhard, Fez, City of Islam.
Translated by William Stoddart (Cambridge: Islamic

Texts Society, 1992); Roger Le Tourneau, Fez in the Age

of the Merinids. Translated by B. A. Clement (Norman:

University of Oklahoma Press, 1961).

fidai (Arabic, also fidawi, plural: fedayeen,

fidayin; Persian fedaiyan)

A fidai is one who is willing to sacrifice his life

for a cause, which can be religious or political

or a combination of both. The term is based on

an Arabic word meaning ransom or redemption

(fida). A verbal form of this word occurs in the

qUran, where God redeems Abraham’s son with

a sacrificial animal (Q 37:107), thus freeing abra-

ham from sacrificing his own son, which is what

God had previously demanded of him. In Islamic

law, paying ransoms was permitted in order to free

The old city of Fez, Morocco (Federico R. Campo)

fidai 237 J