Why did Abd el-Krim’s followers call him a mujahid?

Abd el-Krim’s followers referred to him as a mujahid—a traditional term meaning "war leader"—to reflect his role in leading the Rif War against colonial powers. While he adopted the title of "president" when establishing the Republic of the Rif in 1923, this was a gesture toward the political conventions of the time.1

In contrast, the term mujahid carried deeper cultural and religious significance among his supporters. Broadly, a mujahid is a Muslim who fights on behalf of the faith or the community (ummah). By using this title, his followers emphasized his position as a defender of their land and independence against Spanish and French colonial rule. Historians have noted that the conflict can be understood both as a secular insurgency and as a war fought in defense of Islam and Berber autonomy.1234