Many critics consider Al-Zawiya, a novel by Tuhami al-Wazzani published in 1942, to be the first Arabic-language novel in Moroccan history. Blending autobiography with social documentation and cultural history, al-Wazzani paints a vivid picture of Tetouan society under Spanish occupation. He explores his personal life, the influence of his family, and major events that shaped Morocco and the world during that period.