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Mawlay Mohammed ash-Sheikh ash Sharif al-Hassani al-Drawi at-Tagmadert (died 1557) was the first sultan of the Saadi dynasty ruling over Morocco (1544-1557). Al-Drawi at-Tagmadert means: the man from the Draa river valley, from Tagmadert. After the death of his father Abu Abdallah al-Qaim (in 1517) Mohammed ash-Sheikh (together with his brother Ahmad al-Araj) took command of the war of the Saadi against the Portuguese. Their first success was against the Kingdom of Fez with the conquest of Marrakesh (in 1524). In 1544, however, the brothers came into conflict with each other. Ahmad al-Araj allied himself with the Wattasids under regent Abu al Hasan Abu Hasun (1524-1554). Mohammed ash-Sheikh could maintain his position in Southern Morocco and conquered Agadir (1541) and other coastal towns, ousting the Portuguese. After reorganising his army after Ottoman example he succeeded (in 1549) in conquering Fes causing the downfall of the Wattasids. With help of the Ottomans the Wattasids under Bu Hassun were able to conquer Fes once more in 1554, but that conquest was shortlived. With the final victory of the Saadi and the death of Abu al Hasan the war was decided. Mohammed ash-Sheikh was killed by Ottomans in 1557. He was buried in the Saadian Tombs of Marrakech.

[edit] See also

• Tagmadert