Constructing Moroccan Nationalism: 'Alal al-Fasi's Early Ideological Writings Modern Moroccan nationalism's ongoing difficulties in promoting a binding national identity have raised the need to take a closer look at its emergence, review its principals, and become better acquainted with its early leaders. The existing literature on these topics remains rather generalized, leaving room for more detailed study of these questions. This paper's theme probes several of these questions by focusing on one of Moroccan nationalism's leading figures, 'Alal al-Fasi (1910-1974). Al-Fasi, a scion of a distinguished and politically active family from Fez, emerged as a leading political activist as the anti-colonial struggle against the French protectorate gained traction in the 1930s. He later became the leader of the nationalist Istiqlal (Independence) party. Al-Fasi was widely recognized as a pro-monarchy social conservative, who oriented Moroccan nationalism away from the social and political radicalism that often underpinned other Arab and North African nationalist movements. Moroccan nationalism was a more moderate political force, largely disinterested in promoting widespread social change. This paper traces the emergence of al-Fasi's ideological principles in the early years of Moroccan nationalist activity, analyzes his early political, economic, and social ideas, and assesses his contribution to Moroccan nationalist ideas. It argues that al-Fasi's unique position as an educated Moroccan, who interacted with the modern world, provided him with the opportunity to promote a unique combination of anti-colonial rhetoric and a loyalty to Morocco's traditional mores, within the framework of Moroccan nationalism. This paper's focus is on the 1940s, a decade in which Moroccan nationalism emerged as a leading ideological and political force. The sources for this study include al-Fasi's writings and statements, with a particular focus on al-Naqd al- Dh?tt ("Self-Criticism"), a collective volume of al-Fasi's political, social, and economic essays originally published in 1949-50. These essays contain many of the principles that became central pivots of Moroccan nationalist ideology, and affected political developments after Morocco regained its independence in 1956. This paper outlines these themes, situating them in the wider context of Moroccan nationalist politics. As this project shows, understanding al-Fasi's ideas provides a better understanding of Moroccan nationalist ideology's emergence. These ideas raise further questions concerning Moroccan nationalism's political development. On a broader level, this paper highlights unique aspects of Moroccan nationalism, which may enrich the study of other Arab nationalist movements and ideologies.