Moroccan Royal Historian Abdelhak El Mrini Dies at 91
El Mrini was born in Rabat in 1934. He memorized the entire Quran at a young age and even copied 60 parts of it by hand. Over the years, he became one of Morocco's most respected literary and cultural figures.
He held several important roles during his life, including Director of Royal Protocol and Decorations. But he was best known for his role as the kingdom's official historian, as well as his work in preserving Moroccan heritage.
El Mrini had an impressive academic journey. He received a diploma from the Institute of Higher Moroccan Studies in 1960, followed by a degree in literature from the Faculty of Arts in Rabat in 1962.
He later studied in France, where he earned an advanced diploma and a PhD from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Strasbourg in 1973. He also obtained a State Doctorate in Literature from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez in 1989.
El Mrini was also a prolific author who left behind an important literary and historical legacy. Among his most well-known works is 'The Moroccan Army Throughout History', first published in 1968. The book went through several revised editions, with the sixth edition released in 2011 and translated into French in 2000.
He also wrote 'Guide for Moroccan Women' in two parts (1993 and 2000), and 'An Introduction to Modern Moroccan History' (1996), which covers the period from Sultan Hassan I to King Hassan II.
Other notable titles include 'Tea in Moroccan Literature' (1999), 'Mohammed V: Studies and Testimonies' (1988), and 'The Hassaniyats' (three volumes published between 1975 and 1983), a collection of poems in praise of the late King Hassan II.
Throughout his life, El Mrini made significant contributions to the study and promotion of Moroccan history, and he was widely respected for his deep knowledge and commitment to cultural preservation. Tags: Abdelhak Mrinideathpassed away
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
21 hours ago
- Morocco World
Spiritual Leader of Qadiriyya Boutchichiyya Sufi Order Dies at 83
Marrakech – Sheikh Moulay Jamal Eddine El Qadiri Boutchich, guide of the Qadiriyya Boutchichiyya Sufi order, died Friday afternoon at the Military Hospital in Rabat. He was 83 years old. The death follows a prolonged illness that had earlier prompted King Mohammed VI to order his medical evacuation from Oujda to Rabat via a medically equipped helicopter from the Royal Gendarmerie in April. Born in 1942 in Madagh village in Berkane province, Sheikh Jamal Eddine had led the influential Sufi order since 2017. The order's headquarters in Madagh, near Berkane in eastern Morocco, serves as its spiritual center. He succeeded his father, Sheikh Sidi Hamza El Qadiri Boutchich, according to a written testament sealed in 1990. The document designated Jamal Eddine as inheritor of 'the authorization to transmit dhikr and call to God.' Sheikh Jamal Eddine received his early education at the zawiya before continuing his studies at Moulay Idriss High School in Fez. He later attended the Faculty of Sharia and Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania in Rabat, where he obtained a higher education diploma in Islamic sciences. In 2001, he completed his doctorate with a thesis titled 'The Institution of the Zawiya in Morocco Between Authenticity and Modernity.' Known for his media discretion, Sheikh Jamal Eddine devoted himself entirely to the Sufi path and spiritual training. He rarely appeared in public except during major spiritual celebrations, particularly the commemoration of Mawlid (the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad). In January, during the eighth commemoration of Sheikh Hamza's death, Sheikh Jamal Eddine had officially announced his son, Moulay Mounir El Qadiri Boutchich, as his spiritual successor and guardian of the order's spiritual secrets. During this announcement, he reaffirmed the order's fundamental principles, stating: 'We consolidate today this message, a message of benevolence toward others and closeness to God, according to a method that fills hearts with serenity.' Read also: Islam Is Couched in Sufism in Morocco The Qadiriyya Boutchichiyya is considered one of Morocco's largest Sufi orders with disciples of various nationalities worldwide. Tracing its roots to the 11th century and named after Sufi master Abdul Qadir Jilani, the order gained the 'Boutchichiyya' designation from a sheikh who fed people a simple porridge called 'dshisha' during famines. The order expanded significantly during the 20th century, particularly under Sheikh Abbas and later his son Sheikh Hamza who assumed leadership in 1972. Sheikh Hamza, who had participated in Morocco's liberation movement against French colonization, worked to revitalize the order's practices and extend its reach throughout different regions of Morocco. Followers, known as 'fuqara' (the poor ones) in reference to spiritual humility, gather twice yearly in massive assemblies exceeding 250,000 participants – during the 27th night of Ramadan and for Mawlid celebrations. It plays a pivotal role in the country's spiritual diplomacy, actively participating in interfaith and intercultural dialogue through initiatives like the World Forum of Sufism. The order is known for its balanced approach, combining unwavering fidelity to traditions with controlled openness to modernity. It draws inspiration from Quranic teachings and the Sunna while adapting to contemporary realities. With his passing, Morocco loses one of its most eminent scholars in Sufism and a major figure in the modernization of zawiyas and the revival of their educational and intellectual roles. Sheikh Jamal Eddine successfully combined rigorous academic training with profound spiritual experience, extending the influence of the Qadiriyya Boutchichiyya order nationally and internationally. Tags: Qadiriyya Boudchichiyyasufism in Morocco
Morocco World
a day ago
- Morocco World
Four Barbary Lion Cubs Born in Czech Zoo, Morocco Leads Reintroduction Efforts
Marrakech – Four Barbary lion cubs were recently born at Dvůr Králové Safari Park in the Czech Republic. The three females and one male cub were seen playing in their outdoor enclosure on Wednesday under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart, according to the Associated Press (AP). The cubs represent a vital contribution to the small surviving population of this rare lion subspecies. As part of an international endangered species program, they will soon be sent to other participating parks, including the Beersheba zoo in Israel. Dvůr Králové Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjánek told the AP that preliminary steps have been taken for a possible reintroduction of the Barbary lion into its natural habitat. Initial talks with Moroccan authorities have not rejected the idea of reintroduction in one of the Atlas Mountains national parks. 'It's important to have such a vision for any animal,' Hyjánek said to the AP. 'Without it, the existence of zoos wouldn't make sense.' A conference of experts is planned in Morocco for late 2025 or early 2026 to evaluate the feasibility of such a plan. Any reintroduction would face numerous obstacles since the lion has been absent from the environment for decades. Morocco currently hosts the world's largest collection of Barbary lions, with populations varying between 30 and 40 individuals. The Rabat National Zoological Garden announced last October that a Barbary lion cub born in August 2024 would be presented to visitors. Named Azaghar, the male cub was born on July 26, 2024, to 13-year-old mother Massa and 8-year-old father Layt. The birth was the result of a breeding program that began in 2022. Read also: Culture Minister: History Supports Atlas Lions' Centuries-Old Presence in Morocco 'Right after the birth of the Atlas lion cub, there are a number of measures that we undertake immediately,' explained Saad Azizi, head of the veterinary and zoological service at Rabat National Zoo at the time. These include housing arrangements, veterinary examinations, and eventual reintroduction to the group. The cub was initially dependent on his mother's milk but has since been weaned and is eating meat. Since its opening in 2012, the Rabat Zoo has recorded about 18 lion births. The Barbary lion, a majestic member of the Northern lion subspecies, once roamed freely across northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains. They were almost completely wiped out due to human activities, including being killed by gladiators in Roman times, overhunting, and habitat loss. The last known photo of a wild Barbary lion was taken in 1925, with the last individual killed in 1942. It's believed the last small populations went extinct in the wild by the mid-1960s. Fewer than 200 Barbary lions are currently estimated to live in captivity worldwide. Through its conservation program, the Rabat Zoo aims to maintain a founding population by promoting controlled reproduction and ensuring balanced management. According to the IUCN, Barbary lions are now classified as part of the Panthera leo leo subspecies, which includes lions from West Africa across to northeast Africa and India. While the Barbary lion subpopulation has not been officially assessed as Extinct in the Wild, lions are extinct across their entire North African range. Tags: Barbary lionCzech republic and morocco
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
Fez Medina Joins ALECSO Registry of Arab Architectural Heritage Sites
Fez – Steeped in over a millennium of history and craftsmanship, the medina of Fez has once again reaffirmed its stature as a jewel of Arab-Islamic civilisation. The iconic medina has this time earned a place on the inaugural registry of Arab architectural and urban heritage launched by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO). According to a statement by ALECSO, the historic Moroccan medina is among the first sites to be officially listed on this new register, alongside a highly symbolic group of urban heritage sites including the Old City of Al-Qods (Jerusalem), the Old City of Al Khalil (Hebron) and the Omari Grand Mosque in Gaza. This initial cohort also features the famed Zitouna Mosque in Tunisia, the archaeological site of Azougui in Mauritania, and the Libyan village of Tounine in Ghadamès. Designed as a long-term effort to document, protect and promote the architectural identity of historic urban centres across the Arab world, ALECSO's register places particular emphasis on creativity as a defining feature of Arab built heritage, demonstrating the role of visionary architects, traditional master-builders and local artisans in shaping the urban environments that have come to embody the cultural memory of entire societies. The medina of Fez is a natural candidate for such recognition. Founded in the 9th century and continually inhabited ever since, it remains one of the largest and best preserved medieval Islamic cities anywhere in the world. Its labyrinthine alleys, soaring minarets, artisan souks, caravanserais, fondouks and madrasas are not merely architectural relics; together, they form a living ecosystem of craftsmanship, spirituality, civic life and historical continuity. The site's inscription on ALECSO's registry strengthens its position not only as a monument of Moroccan heritage, but as a shared cultural asset for the wider Arab world, one deserving of both preservation and celebration. ALECSO notes that its newly launched initiative also seeks to acknowledge contemporary architectural contributions that reflect evolving tastes, technological advances and creative trends within Arab cities today, signalling that heritage is not confined to the past, but encompasses living expressions of identity in continuous transformation. By juxtaposing medieval medinas with modern architectural expressions, the organization hopes to foster a renewed appreciation of Arab urban ingenuity across time. Crucially, the registry aims to serve as a bulwark against both neglect and erasure, at a moment when many historic urban fabrics across the region face mounting risks, from uncontrolled development and unregulated tourism to conflict and climate-related degradation. By spotlighting sites like Fez and Jerusalem, ALECSO insists on the urgent need for protective policies, specialist restoration, and sustained investment in heritage-led urban renewal. Local authorities in Fez have welcomed the announcement as a timely reinforcement of their own urban strategy, which in recent years has included the rehabilitation of traditional housing, upgrades to public infrastructure in the medina, and initiatives aimed at safeguarding artisanal vocations from decline. Earlier this year, the city council approved new projects focused on urban planning, mobility and youth spaces — signalling that heritage, far from being static, can act as a catalyst for thoughtful and sustainable urban development. Internationally celebrated for its beauty, authenticity and density of heritage, the medina of Fez already enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status (since 1981). ALECSO's new recognition solidifies its pan-Arab significance and paves the way for possible future collaborations among Arab countries in the field of heritage preservation and cultural diplomacy. In extending its reach from the Andalusian-influenced rooftops of Fez to the ancient alleyways of Al-Qods, ALECSO's registry provides a powerful voice. That voice is above all a reminder that the cities we inherit are not only sites of memory, but spaces through which cultural identity is projected, defended, and reinvented for generations to come.
