Morocco commemorates 64th anniversary of death of King Mohammed V, hero of Morocco’s independence struggle

Morocco commemorated, Saturday, 10th day of the holy month of Ramadan 1444 H, the 64th anniversary of the passing away of the Liberator of the Nation, late King Mohammed V.

On this occasion, King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid, Prince Moulay Ahmed and Prince Moulay Ismail, visited the grave of the late sovereign, his grandfather.

The late monarch died of heart failure on February 26, 1961, corresponding to Ramadan 10, 1380 AH, only a few years after the accession of the Kingdom to independence at the price of a relentless struggle which allowed to free the homeland from the yoke of colonialism.

The late King is remembered for his role in regaining Morocco’s independence from French and Spanish colonialism.

The late king became Sultan in 1927 and kept the title until 1953, when French authorities forced him and his family into exile, to Corsica and later to Madagascar, due to the growing hope of independence he instilled among the Moroccan people.

The strong bond King Mohammed V built with his people led to popular unrest after his exile, with Moroccans demanding an immediate return of their Sultan. The Moroccan independence movement itself is known as the Revolution of the King and the People.

The late King came back from exile on November 16, 1955, after Moroccan nationalists upscaled their resistance acts, demanding their ruler’s return.

Soon after his return, the late king began negotiating with France and Spain to secure Morocco’s independence, which yielded results one year later, in 1956.

King Mohammed V holds a special place in Moroccans’ hearts. His struggle for independence symbolizes Morocco’s attachment to its sovereignty and resilience to foreign pressure.