Throne Day (Morocco)

Throne Day (Arabic: عيد العرش, lit. 'feast of the throne') is a national occasion in Morocco currently celebrated on 30 July of each year, punctuated by several official and popular celebrations, commemorating the day of the King's accession to the throne. The first celebration was held in 1933 to recognise the accession of Mohammed V of Morocco in 1927.[1] The current King Mohammed VI succeeded his father on 23 July 1999 and officially took the throne on 30 July. On the occasion, several nationwide events are covered on public television, including official activities.

History

The first celebration was in 1933 in honour of King Mohammed V, and was thereafter held on November 18 each year.[2]

During the French protectorate period, Sultan 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 — March 3 during the rule of the late King Hassan II (1961–1999), and July 30 during the current tenure of King Mohammed VI (1999–).[2]

Throne Speech

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. According to Article 52 of the Constitution of Morocco of 2011, the King has to address both the nation and parliament in order to make the Throne Speech binding to the nation and to the authorities.

On the 24th Throne Day Speech, King Mohammed VI gave a royal pardon to 2,052 individuals,[5] reaffirmed Morocco’s support for the Palestinian cause,[6][7] expressed his aspirations for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup along with Portugal and Spain,[8] and called on Algeria to end the political stalemate between the two countries.[9]

References
  1. Miller, Susan Gilson (2013). A History of Modern Morocco. Cambridge University Press. p. 131. ISBN 9781139619110.
  2. "Morocco Festively Celebrates Feast of the Throne". aglobalworld.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  3. Moroccan Jews pay homage to 'protector' – Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News. Haaretz.com. Retrieved on 2011-07-04.
  4. 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.
  5. "Throne Day: Royal Pardon for 2,052 People". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  6. Kasraoui, Safaa. "King Mohammed VI Reiterates Morocco's Support for Palestinian Cause". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  7. "King's stance on Palestinian cause 'patriotic and courageous' - Palestinian party". HESPRESS English - Morocco News. 31 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  8. Zouiten, Sara. "King Mohammed VI Aspires to 'Historic' Morocco-Spain-Portugal 2030 World Cup". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  9. Kasraoui, Safaa. "King Mohammed VI Re-Extends Olive Branch to Algeria". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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