Moroccans Honor Legacy of King Mohammed V, 61 Years After His Death

Considered the "father of modern Moroccan nation", the late king had fought for the freedom of the nation by supporting the Istiqlal, the main Moroccan independence movement, from 1944 onwards, and by working for the unity of the daughters and sons of the kingdom. This struggle had even forced him into exile. Born on August 10, 1909 in Fez, the former sovereign died on the 10th day of Ramadan of the year 1380 of the Hegira (February 26, 1961), in Rabat.

For Moroccans, the commemoration of this 61st anniversary is the expression of their attachment to the memory of a daring and modern king, who had defended the sovereignty of Morocco against French and Spanish domination. Deposed on August 20, 1953 to be replaced by his uncle Mohammed Ibn Arafa on the throne, Mohammed V never gave up the fight. He will be arrested and deported successively to Corsica and Madagascar.

On November 16, 1955, the sovereign returned to Morocco with his young son, Prince Moulay El Hassan. He was carried in triumph to Rabat. The people remained faithful to their king. He regained his throne after the abdication of Sidi Mohammed ben Arafa on 1st. With diplomacy, he continued his struggle for the liberation of the kingdom. The French and Spanish protectorates respectively ended on March 2, 1956 and April 7, 1956. And, Morocco became independent.