Mohammed V of Morocco

Mohammed V of Morocco
King of Morocco
Sultan of Morocco (1957–58)

Sultan Mohammed V of Morocco visiting Lawrence Livermore Lab, United States, in 1957
Reign 1927–61
Born August 10, 1909(1909-08-10)
Birthplace Fes, Morocco
Died February 26, 1961(1961-02-26) (aged 51)
Place of death Rabat, Morocco
Buried Royal Mausoleum,
Rabat, Morocco
Predecessor Yusef
Successor Hassan II
Royal House Alaouite dynasty
Father Yusef
Mother Lalla Ya'aqut
Religious beliefs Islam

Mohammed V (10 August 1909 – 26 February 1961) (Arabic: محمد الخامس‎) was Sultan of Morocco from 1927–53, exiled from 1953–55, where he was again recognized as Sultan upon his return, and King from 1957 to 1961. His full name was Sidi Mohammed ben Yusef, or Son of (Sultan) Yusef, upon whose death he succeeded to the throne. He was a member of the Alaouite Dynasty.

On 20 August 1953, the French who were occupying Morocco at the time forced Mohammed V and his family into exile on Corsica. A relative of his, Mohammed Ben Aarafa, was placed on the throne. Mohammed V and his family were then transferred to Madagascar in January 1954. Mohammed V returned from exile on 16 November 1955, and was again recognized as Sultan after active opposition to the French protectorate. In February 1956 he successfully negotiated with France for the independence of Morocco, and in 1957 took the title of King.

Contents

Death

He died on 26 February 1961 following unspecified surgery.[1] U.S. Ambassador Charles W. Yost saw the King hours before his death and was among those who suspected that the King's son, Hassan II, assassinated his father.

Legacy

The Mohammed V International Airport of Casablanca is named after him, as well as numerous universities and various public spaces across Morocco. There is an Avenue Mohammed V in nearly every Moroccan city.

His first wife was Lalla Abla bint Tahar (Arabic: لالا عبلة بنت طهار‎) (born 5 September 1889 – died 1 March 1992), who was twenty years his senior. She was the daughter of Tahar ibn Hasan. She married Mohammed V in 1929 and died in Rabat on 1 March 1992, aged 102. She gave birth to five children: the future king Hassan II, Lalla Aicha (born 1930), Lala Malika, prince Abdallah and Lalla Nezha.[2]

His second wife was Lalla Bint Mamoun. She was the mother of his second daughter Lalla Fatima Zohra.

His third wife was Lalla Bahia, mother of Lalla Amina.

In December 2007, The Forward reported on a secret diplomatic initiative by the Moroccan government to have Mohammed V admitted to the Righteous Among the Nations.[3]

Honours

[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Mohammed V of Morocco Dies at 51 After Surgery". New York Times. 26 February 1961. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30C13FA3F5D1B728DDDAE0A94DA405B818AF1D3&scp. Retrieved 2008-06-13. "King Mohammed V died today after a minor operation. He was 51 years old and had occupied the throne since 1927" 
  2. ^ International Business Publications, Morocco Foreign Policy and Government Guide p. 84
  3. ^ An Arab King Righteous Among the Nations?. The Forward, 12 December 2007
  4. ^ Royal Ark

External links

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Yusef
Sultan of Morocco
1927–1953
Succeeded by
Mohammed Ben Aarafa
Preceded by
Mohammed Ben Aarafa
Sultan of Morocco
1955–1957
Succeeded by
Himself
as King
Preceded by
Himself
as Sultan
King of Morocco
1957–1961
Succeeded by
Hassan II