What Role Will Morocco’s First Female Prime Minister Have in Royal Prayers?
Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri’s appointment raises a question of religious protocol: what role will the first woman to serve as head of government have during official prayers attended by her predecessors alongside Mohammed VI?
In its profile published on October 3, El País notes that previous heads of government prayed alongside the sovereign at ceremonies such as Eid al-Adha. Women usually pray in spaces separate from those used by men.
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The Spanish daily mentions a dispensation from the ulema that would allow her to take part in these ceremonies. It presents this possibility without reporting that a decision has been made for El Mansouri.
Appointed by Mohammed VI on September 29, the PAM leader was tasked with forming a government after her party’s victory in the parliamentary elections. Her accession to the role introduces a new situation in a ceremony that until now has been organized around male heads of government.
The king’s religious role enshrined in the Constitution
These ceremonies bring together the political and religious dimensions of the monarchy. Mohammed VI takes part in his capacity as Amir Al-Mouminine, Commander of the Faithful. The presence of state officials is part of this framework.
Article 41 of the Constitution entrusts the sovereign with presiding over the Supreme Council of Ulema. The council studies questions referred to it by the king and is the only body authorized to issue officially approved religious opinions. The article sets out its powers but does not expressly specify the place of a female head of government during a royal prayer.
The ceremony also includes events separate from the prayer. At Eid al-Adha on May 27, 2026, the official account described the prayer at Ahl Fès Mosque in Rabat, followed by the reception of well-wishers at the Royal Palace.
The head of government was among the officials received to offer their well-wishes, alongside the presidents of both houses of Parliament and other senior state representatives. Participation in royal ceremonies therefore also includes this reception after the prayer.
