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Morocco World
a day ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
King Mohammed VI to Deliver Throne Day Speech Tonight
Rabat – King Mohammed VI will deliver a speech tonight commemorating the 26th anniversary of his accession to the Throne. In a statement earlier today, the Ministry of the Royal Household, Protocol and Chancellery announced that Morocco's television channels and national radios will broadcast the speech starting at 9 p.m. Moroccan time. The ministry said the King will also preside over the ceremony commemorating the Throne Day on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday afternoon, the monarch will chair a reception at the prefecture square of M'diq-Fnideq in the city of M'Diq. The following day, the monarch will preside over the oath-taking ceremony at the Mechouar square in the royal palace in Tetouan. During the ceremony, new officers from various military, paramilitary, and civilian schools and institutes will swear allegiance before the King. The monarch will also offer a luncheon on Thursday. King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne on July 30, 1999, following the death of his father, the late King Hassan II. Under his leadership, Morocco witnessed waves of reforms, contributing to socio-economic development and infrastructure revamping. Every year, King Mohammed VI addresses Morocco's people with speeches tackling several topics from Morocco's momentum in the Western Sahara dossier to the socio-political and economic challenges the country is committed to addressing. Last year, the monarch's speech focused on renewing his commitment to the Moroccan diaspora. In the speech, he re-instructed the government to enhance efforts in supporting diaspora projects and facilitating administrative procedures to facilitate and accompany their business ventures in Morocco.
Morocco World
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Architect of Modern Morocco: Commemorating Hassan II's Passing Away
Rabat — Morocco pauses today to honor King Hassan II, a monarch who died 26 years ago but whose influence still echoes through the country's palaces and villages. They called him the architect of the Green March, the dam builder, the nation unifier. But Hassan II was something more — a King who bet everything on his people's courage and won. From exile to crown The late King Hassan II's story begins not with royal ceremonies, but with defeat, as he watched French colonizers strip his father, King Mohammed V, of power in 1953. Twenty-four years after his birth on July 19, 1929, the young prince found himself in exile — first on the Mediterranean island of Corsica, then in distant Madagascar. Most young men might have despaired. Hassan turned exile into opportunity, as he became his father's voice to the world, his diplomat in exile, and his bridge to freedom. When negotiations brought Mohammed V back to Morocco in 1955, Hassan had already proven himself indispensable. Independence arrived in 1956, and Hassan rose quickly through the ranks. The army made him Chief of Staff in 1957, then Commander-in-Chief. His father named him Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister. When Mohammed V died suddenly in 1961, Hassan stepped into power as the 17th ruler of the Alaouite dynasty. A Kingdom under pressure The early 1960s tested Hassan II like fire tests steel. With student riots in the streets, assassins' plots against his life, the new nation threatened to fragment before it could truly form. King Hassan II's response revealed his character, as he didn't just crush opposition — he channeled it. In 1962, the Late King gave Morocco its first constitution, creating a constitutional monarchy with multiple political parties. He launched massive infrastructure projects, including major strategies of dams that tamed rivers, mines that extracted wealth from mountains, and schools that educated a generation. The Late King understood that unity required more than force. He genuinely promoted rural development and brought Morocco's diverse ethnic groups into a unified national conversation, building a modern state while honoring ancient traditions. The diplomat King Hassan II possessed a rare gift for international relations. He championed Arab and Islamic causes, chairing the Al-Quds Committee and hosting Islamic summits in Morocco. Yet he also cultivated friendships with Western powers, navigating Cold War tensions with remarkable skill. His greatest diplomatic achievement came in the Middle East. The Late King secretly hosted meetings between Egyptian and Israeli leaders, laying groundwork for President Anwar Sadat's groundbreaking 1977 visit to Jerusalem. He welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres to Morocco, proving that dialogue could bridge even the deepest divides. The night that changed everything The most dramatic moment of the Late King Hassan II's reign began on a summer night in 1975. Spain planned to abandon the Western Sahara, but first wanted to hold a referendum on the territory's future. Morocco objected, arguing that historical ties bound the region to the country long before Spanish colonization. The International Court of Justice agreed that some Sahrawi tribes had sworn allegiance to Moroccan sultans. But legal victories meant little without popular support. The Late Hassan II later described the moment inspiration struck. Lying awake one night, he envisioned something unprecedented: a peaceful march of ordinary Moroccans into the disputed territory. Not an army invasion, but a human wave carrying green flags and Qurans to take back the country's legitimate territory. On October 16, 1975, Hassan addressed his nation: 'We must march from the north of Morocco to its south, and from the east of Morocco to its west. My dear people, we must move as one man, in order and discipline, to join the Sahara and reunite with our brothers in the Sahara.' The response overwhelmed everyone's expectations. From cities and villages across Morocco, 350,000 volunteers registered for the march, with one in ten being women. Families prepared to walk into the desert to claim their country's territory. November 5, 1975, brought Hassan's most famous speech, broadcast live across Morocco: 'Tomorrow, God willing, you will cross the border. Tomorrow, God willing, the Green March will begin. Tomorrow, God willing, you will tread upon a land that is yours, touch the sands that are yours, and embrace a land that is part of your dear homeland.' The Green March succeeded beyond Hassan's dreams, as Moroccans crossed peacefully into the Western Sahara, Spain withdrew, and Morocco reclaimed territory it considered its own. The march became a national holiday, its memory burned into Moroccan consciousness. But victory came with costs. The Polisario Front, backed by Algeria and Libya, launched a guerrilla war that lasted decades. The Late King Hassan II worked toward peace, agreeing to a 1991 ceasefire and supporting UN efforts to resolve the dispute through referendum. A King's final gift Hassan II died on July 23, 1999, after 38 years on the throne. His eldest son Mohammed smoothly ascended as King Mohammed VI, ensuring dynastic continuity and maintaining national stability. The numbers tell part of Hassan II's story, but his true legacy lives in Morocco's character. He took a newly independent nation and forged it into a modern state that honors its past while embracing its future. Hassan II once said, 'Le style, c'est l'homme' — style makes the man. His style combined ancient royal dignity with modern pragmatism, Islamic faith with global engagement, and firm authority with gradual democratization. Twenty-six years after his death, Hassan II's Morocco continues evolving. But the foundation he laid — unified, modernizing, proud of its heritage yet open to the world — remains as solid as the Atlas Mountains themselves. In the end, Hassan II's greatest achievement was not the Green March or the dams or the diplomatic breakthroughs. It was transforming a collection of tribes and regions into a nation that believes in itself. That belief, more than any monument, ensures his memory will endure. Tags: King Hassan IIlate King Hassan IIMorocco
Arab Times
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
King Hassan II about his son, ‘Mohammed is an extension of my soul'
BUILDING nations begins with building capable leaders. Rather than delving deep into theory, I want to share a story about the late King Hassan II of Morocco (May God have mercy on him) and his vision for his son, King Mohammed VI. His words offer a valuable lesson on nurturing leaders who will succeed in ruling their countries. King Hassan II spoke about his then Crown Prince, Mohammed VI, using simple yet profound words filled with pride, concern, and love. The late King Hassan II said, 'Mohammed is not only my son but he is the extension of my soul. I watched him grow before my eyes, but I was preparing him to carry the nation on his shoulders. I did not teach him how to be a prince, but rather how to be a servant of his country. I know that the crown is a heavy burden, but I saw in Mohammed the patience, wisdom, and quiet strength to understand more than to speak. He listens carefully for a long time, but when he does speak, I feel that Morocco breathes safely. If I am absent, be assured that I have left you a king who resembles me, not only in blood and features but also in his deep love for this country.' --- This is how a 600-year-old empire was brought down. In 1889, a group of students at the Military Medical College in Turkiye founded the Committee of Union and Progress with the backing of Masonic networks. The group claimed its mission was to reform the Ottoman Empire and improve its conditions. However, its true objectives were to undermine the state, weaken the influence of Islam and the authority of the Sultan, and abolish the Caliphate. Many of the committee's members were Freemason Dönmeh Jews. Their ideas quickly spread among intellectuals, public figures, and military officers. The Committee of Union and Progress gained control over the Second, Third, and Fourth Ottoman Armies. In 1908, the committee staged a coup against Sultan Abdul Hamid II, claiming they sought to implement a European-style constitution and establish a parliamentary system similar to that of England, where the people would rule through elected deputies. They succeeded in their mission and secured a majority in Parliament. However, their racist policies toward non-Turks led to major repercussions. Bulgaria and Hungary declared independence, Crete united with Greece, and the Armenians revolted. The blame for these events was placed on Sultan Abdul Hamid II, and Parliament announced his deposition. A delegation, which included a Jewish member, was sent to deliver the decision to the Sultan. He was then exiled and replaced by Prince Mehmed V, who held the title of Sultan but lacked any real power, as the committee controlled all aspects of governance. Under their rule, a horrific massacre was committed against the Armenians. They also forced the Ottoman Empire into World War I, which led to the empire's defeat and collapse. The Armistice of Mudros and the Treaty of Sèvres were signed, leading to the Ottoman Empire losing all its European territories. The Arab countries fell under French and British control. All that remained of the empire were Istanbul and a few island cities. Shortly afterward, the Sultan passed away. Abdulmejid II was appointed Caliph in a symbolic capacity, while behind the scenes, a general from the Committee of Union and Progress, Mustafa Kemal, began to rise in power. He rejected the Treaty of Sèvres and declared a jihad to expel the occupying Greek, Italian, British, and French forces. In 1923, Mustafa Kemal signed the Treaty of Lausanne, which established the modern borders of Turkey. Three months later, the secular Turkish Republic was officially declared, headed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Atatürk exiled all members of the Ottoman dynasty from the country, banned the hijab, the call to prayer, the Hajj pilgrimage, and the teaching of the Quran. He permanently abolished the position of the Caliphate, ending 600 years of Ottoman rule. The history of the Ottoman Empire was filled with both achievements and failures, as it was ultimately a human endeavor. It had powerful rulers such as Osman I, Mehmed the Conqueror, and Murad I, as well as weak ones like Selim II and Mustafa I (known as 'the Mad'), among others.
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
This Muslim country has banned animal sacrifice on Eid al-Adha — know the ‘royal' reason
For the first time in years, Morocco will observe Eid al-Adha — the 'Festival of Sacrifice' — without its central ritual: the slaughter of sheep. Muslims in the North African nation, Morocco, will abstain from the animal sacrifice ritual due to a royal directive from King Mohammed VI, who urged citizens to abstain from the practice due to the country's deepening economic difficulties and a prolonged agricultural crisis, according to a report by The Guardian. In a statement broadcast in February by Morocco's Islamic affairs minister on the state-run Al Aoula TV channel, the king said, 'Performing it in these difficult circumstances will cause real harm to large segments of our people, especially those with limited income.' The monarch, who is also the kingdom's highest religious authority, added that he would perform the sacrifice on behalf of all Moroccans. The North African nation has been suffering the consequences of a six-year drought, which has severely impacted the country's livestock population. Reports suggest that sheep herds have declined by nearly 38 percent since 2016. With supply shrinking, prices have skyrocketed. Last year, a single sheep sold for as much as $600 (approximately ₹51,426), far exceeding Morocco's monthly minimum wage of $324 (₹27,833). As a result, many families can no longer afford to participate in the tradition. A survey by the Moroccan Centre for Citizenship found that 55 percent of households struggled to bear the cost of sacrificial animals. In response to the crisis, the Moroccan government suspended import duties and value-added tax on cattle and sheep in its 2025 budget to help control prices. Although the king's directive marks a rare intervention, it is not unprecedented. His father, King Hassan II, suspended Eid sacrifices on three occasions during his reign — in times of war, drought, and under IMF-imposed austerity that removed food subsidies. Morocco, where more than 99 percent of the population identifies as Muslim, has one of the highest red meat consumption rates in Africa.
Morocco World
03-06-2025
- General
- Morocco World
Moroccan Royal Historian Abdelhak El Mrini Dies at 91
Rabat – Morocco is mourning the death of Abdelhak El Mrini, the country's official royal historian and former spokesperson for the Royal Palace. He passed away on Monday evening at the age of 91, after a long career serving Moroccan history and culture. 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
