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The Moroccan people commemorate, in an atmosphere of reverence and devotion, the 25th anniversary of the passing of the unifier of the country and the founder of its modern renaissance, late King Hassan II, may God rest his soul. This occasion allows Moroccans to recall with utmost appreciation and reverence the path of an exceptional king and unique leader whose fingerprints marked the major transformations of the Kingdom during the second half of the 20th century, and whose personality, prestigious standing, and far-sightedness profoundly influenced the international diplomatic arena.
This commemoration—occurring just days before the 48th anniversary of the Glorious Green March—embodies a steadfast popular will to celebrate the Kingdom’s most prominent historical milestones and pray for the soul of a visionary king who successfully guided Morocco toward modernization while preserving its identity, heritage, and civilization. The 9th of Rabi II, 1420 AH, remains a sorrowful day for all Moroccans, who bade farewell to a great leader and exceptional monarch under whose banner they lived for 38 years, during which he exerted tremendous efforts to make his country and people a beacon among nations through his wisdom and foresight.
The grand and unprecedented state funeral reflected the unbreakable bond between the Moroccan people and the late King, as over two million citizens poured into the streets of the capital—many arriving on foot from neighboring towns—to bid a final farewell to their departed sovereign and renew their enduring loyalty to his memory, pledging to continue the journey alongside his royal heir, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for the good of the Moroccan nation, peace, and international harmony.
Thanks to the wise policies of the late King Hassan II, Morocco successfully achieved its territorial integrity through a peaceful march whose mastermind's genius was universally acknowledged. He also anchored the pillars of a state of institutions, rights, and law, positioning the Kingdom distinctively on the global stage and enabling it to contribute effectively to establishing peace and security worldwide.
The late monarch shaped Morocco’s modern history through sweeping economic and social development, launching mega-projects that made Morocco a shining example of a modern, emerging nation that harmonizes authenticity with modernity. He established democratic institutions, promoted public freedoms, enshrined human rights, and encouraged creativity across cultural, architectural, artistic, and athletic fields.
Beyond being a master political strategist and builder of modern state institutions, the late King was a spiritual symbol and Commander of the Faithful (Amir al-Mu'minin), drawing on his noble lineage from the Alawite House and profound knowledge of Islamic jurisprudence. He revived noble traditions such as the Hassanian Lectures—a gathering of prominent Islamic thinkers from across the globe—and supported mosque construction worldwide, notably Africa, epitomized by the iconic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.
Internationally, the late King was renowned for his staunch defense of dialogue as an effective tool for resolving conflicts and securing peace, demonstrated prominently in his engagement with the Arab-Israeli conflict, his support for the Palestinian cause, and his hosting of the 1974 Arab Summit in Rabat. On the continental stage, his initiatives championed African unity and liberation, including founding the Organization of African Unity (now the African Union), earning him posthumous continental recognition in Ethiopia in 2022. He was also a driving force behind the creation of the Arab Maghreb Union as a strategic choice for regional integration and prosperity.
Today, as Moroccans mark the 25th anniversary of this great leader's passing, they take immense pride in witnessing the tireless efforts of his royal heir, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who continues day and night to propel Morocco into the 21st century through major nationwide development projects and the reinforcement of the Moroccan Sahara's territorial status internationally and regionally.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI stated that Morocco is entering a new phase focused on strengthening national sovereignty, supporting economic recovery, and implementing the New Development Model. He also called on the government and Parliament to fully assume their responsibilities.
The United Nations praised His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s forward-looking vision for future generations, highlighting the importance of collective action to build a human-centered and sustainable development model. It also noted that this vision has become even more relevant in light of the challenges exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly social inequalities and the spread of misinformation.
The Council of the League of Arab States praised the efforts of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to protect Al-Quds Al-Sharif and support the resilience of the Palestinian people. It also highlighted the fieldwork of the Bayt Mal Al-Quds Agency in preserving the city’s Arab and Islamic identity.
