Throne Day (Morocco)
Throne Day (Arabic: عيد العرش, lit. 'feast of the throne') is a public holiday in Morocco, punctuated by several official and popular celebrations, commemorating the day of the king's formal accession to the throne. The first celebration was held in 1933 to mark the accession of Mohammed V in 1927.[1] The current date on which the holiday takes place is 30 July, the date when Mohammed VI was officially enthroned. Several nationwide events are covered on public television during the day, including official activities.
History[edit]
The first celebration was in 1933 in honour of Sultan Mohammed V, and was thereafter held on November 18 each year.[2]
During the French protectorate period, Mohammed V reportedly refused to sign off on "Vichy's plan to ghettoize and deport Morocco's quarter of a million Jews to the killing factories of Europe," and, in an act of defiance, insisted on inviting all the rabbis of Morocco to the 1941 throne celebrations.[3][4]
The celebration date has since been moved to the respective day of the next monarch's official enthronement following their accession, beginning with 3 March under Hassan II (reigned 1961–1999), and 30 July during the reign of Mohammed VI (1999–present).[2] In 2023, Mohammed VI gave a royal pardon to 2,052 individuals to mark the 24th anniversary of his enthronement.[5]
Throne speech[edit]
A speech from the throne is traditionally given on 29 July,[2] when the King addresses the nation on official state TV, giving an inventory of events and projects completed during the previous year, and discusses the future vision and foreign policies of the kingdom. Under article 52 of the 2011 constitution, the King is required to address both the nation and parliament in order to make the speech binding to the nation and to the authorities.
In the 2023 speech, Mohammed VI reaffirmed Morocco's support for the Palestinian cause,[6][7] expressed his aspirations for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal,[8] and called on Algeria to end the political stalemate between the two countries.[9]
References[edit]
- ^ Miller, Susan Gilson (2013). A History of Modern Morocco. Cambridge University Press. p. 131. ISBN 9781139619110.
- ^ a b c "Morocco Festively Celebrates Feast of the Throne". aglobalworld.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- ^ Moroccan Jews pay homage to 'protector' – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News. Haaretz.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-04.
- ^ Miller, Susan Gilson (2013). A History of Modern Morocco. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. p. 45. doi:10.1017/cbo9781139045834. ISBN 978-1-139-04583-4.
- ^ "Throne Day: Royal Pardon for 2,052 People". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "King Mohammed VI Reiterates Morocco's Support for Palestinian Cause". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ "King's stance on Palestinian cause 'patriotic and courageous' - Palestinian party". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Zouiten, Sara. "King Mohammed VI Aspires to 'Historic' Morocco-Spain-Portugal 2030 World Cup". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "King Mohammed VI Re-Extends Olive Branch to Algeria". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.