Senussi
MOHAMED IBN ALI EL, founder of the religious order which bears his name; born near Mostaganem, Algeria; died in 1851. He organized the secret brotherhood in 1837, with the ob ject of purifying the Mohammedan religion. Eventually it spread all over the world of Islam and centers were established in Damascus, Constantinople and the big cities of India. He was succeeded as the head of the order by his son, Sidi el Mahdi, who died in 1902 and who was succeeded by the present head, Sidi Ahmed el Sherif.