Mohammed VI of Morocco

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Mohammed VI of Morocco
الملك محمد السادس للمغرب
King of Morocco
Reign 23 July 1999 – present
Born 21 August 1963 (1963-08-21) (age 44)
Birthplace Rabat, Morocco
Predecessor Hassan II
Heir Apparent Moulay Hassan
Consort to Princess Lalla Salma
Issue Moulay Hassan
Lalla Khadija
Royal House House of Alaoui
Royal anthem "Hymne Chérifien"
Father Hassan II
Mother Lalla Latifa Hammou

King Mohammed VI (Arabic: الملك محمد السادس للمغرب; born in 1963) is the King of Morocco. He ascended to the throne in July 1999.

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[edit] Early monarchy

Mohammed was born in Rabat, Morocco on August 21, 1963, the eldest son and second child of King Hassan II and his wife, Lalla Latifa Hammou, from an important Berber family. Before becoming king, he held the title of Crown Prince. He was enthroned July 23, 1999, just hours after the death of his father. The young King soon became known as a moderniser who may have furthered the legitimacy of the constitutional monarchy, a political system that Morocco has followed since its 2nd March 1972 constitution.

Mohammed is the 18th king in the Alaouite dynasty, which has reigned in Morocco since 1666. He carries also, according to the Moroccan constitution, the title of Amir al-Mu'minin (Commander of the Faithful or religious chief).

[edit] Education

His father, the late King Hassan II, was keen on giving him a religious and political education from an early age. At the age of four, he started attending the Qur'anic school at the Royal Palace where he learned the Qur'an by heart, and received a religious and traditional education.

After primary and secondary studies at the Royal College and after he received his Baccalaureate in 1981, Mohammed obtained in 1985 a B.A in law at the College of law of the Mohammed V University in Rabat. His research paper dealt with "the Arab-African Union and the Strategy of the Kingdom of Morocco in matters of International Relations."

In 1987 he obtained his first Certificat d'Études Supérieures (CES) in political sciences and in July 1988 he obtained a Diplôme d'Études Approfondies DEA in public law.

In November 1988 he trained in Brussels with Jacques Delors, then President of the European Commission.

He obtained his doctorate in law (PhD) with "Very Honourable" distinction and the Congratulations of the Jury on October 29, 1993 from the French University of Nice Sophia Antipolis for his thesis on "EEC-Maghreb Relations."

He is the recipient of an honorary degree by The George Washington University awarded in June 22, 2000 for his promotion of democracy in Morocco.

Mohammed was promoted to the rank of Major General on July 12, 1994.

[edit] Social reform and liberalization

George W. Bush talks with King Mohammed VI of Morocco in the Oval Office Tuesday, April 23, 2002. White House photo by Eric Draper.
George W. Bush talks with King Mohammed VI of Morocco in the Oval Office Tuesday, April 23, 2002. White House photo by Eric Draper.

Shortly after he took the throne, he addressed his nation via television, promising to take on poverty and corruption, while creating jobs and improving Morocco's human rights record. Mohammed VI is generally opposed by Islamist conservatives, and some of his reforms have angered fundamentalists. He also created a new family code, or Mudawana, which granted women more power. The law came into effect in February, 2004.

Mohammed VI also created the so-called Instance Equité et Réconciliation (IER), a commission, which was supposed to research human rights violations under Hassan II. The commission was however not allowed to mention Mohammed's predecessor or report about human rights violations since 1999, when Mohammed was enthroned. This move was welcomed by many as a move towards democracy, but also criticized because the commission could not criticize the violation of freedom of speech, which according to human rights organisations still exists in Morocco.

[edit] Family

Royal Family of Morocco

Mohammed has one brother, Prince Moulay Rachid, and three sisters, Princess Lalla Meryem, Princess Lalla Asma, and Princess Lalla Hasna. On March 21, 2002 he married Salma Banani (now HRH Princess Lalla Salma) in Rabat, giving her the title of Princess. Princess Lalla Salma has two children, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who was born on May 8, 2003 and Princess Lalla Khadija who was born on February 28, 2007.

[edit] Jail sentence of Fouad Mourtada controversy

On Tuesday, February 5th, 2008, Fouad Mourtada was arrested on suspicion of stealing the identity of Prince Moulay Rachid, by creating a false profile on Facebook. Although, Prince Moulay Rachid did not sue him, Mohammed using his vast powers of 'supreme representative of the nation', proceed the arrest and prosecution. On February 23rd, Fouad Mourtada was sentenced to 3 years in jail and fined 10,000 Dirhamrs (~1,350 US Dollars). After local protests and international criticism, on March 19th Fouad Mourtada has been granted royal pardon just days before an appeal hearing. The move has brought criticism by human right watchers over Mohammed using his power over the fair rule of law. [1], [2]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

Mohammed VI of Morocco
Born: 21 August 1963
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Hassan II
King of Morocco
1999 – present
Incumbent
Designated heir:
Moulay Hassan