Francoist pilgrimage ships during the Spanish Civil War: characteristics and features

Abstract

This study explores the role of the Hajj pilgrimage in Francoist propaganda during the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), highlighting its use as a political and religious instrument to secure Moroccan support in the Caliphate zone. It argues that organizing Hajj journeys was not merely a religious initiative, but part of a broader colonial strategy aimed at constructing symbolic legitimacy within the Islamic world. The analysis draws on Spanish archival sources and contemporary accounts, focusing on the voyages of Al-Maghrib Al-Aqsa (1937) and Marques de Comillas (1938–1939).

The findings show that the Francoist administration invested significantly in adapting these ships to Muslim practices by providing prayer spaces, halal food, medical care, and improved living conditions. These pilgrimages also functioned as a competitive propaganda arena, particularly vis-à-vis France, as Spain emphasized the superior organization and conditions of its Hajj voyages compared to those offered in French colonial contexts. The study concludes that the Francoist Hajj operated as a strategic tool that intertwined religious practice with political objectives, reinforcing colonial authority and reshaping perceptions within the broader Islamic sphere.