Today, July 30th, marks a special occasion for all Moroccans: Throne Day. On this day, each year, Moroccans celebrate their King’s ascension to the throne. Their very first celebration was held in 1933 to honor King Mohammed V’s reign. And today, in honor and celebration of Morocco’s King of 23 years, Mohammed VI, the Scoop team curated a cool collection of interesting facts you might not have known about the honorable ruler.
Made it on to Forbes
In 2015, King Mohammed VI was ranked as the fifth richest man in all of Africa. At that time, his net worth was estimated to be USD 2 billion. According to Forbes, his wealth mainly stemmed from his inheritance of a 35% stake in the Societe Nationale d’Investissement (SNI) which is a holding company that own stakes in powerful companies such as Attijariwaffa and Centrale Danone. Today, it is estimated that his net worth may exceed USD 9 billion.
Owner of the most luxurious palace hotels
Imagine getting to experience the beauty and true essence of Morocco, yet, not by walking through its alleyways but instead, by entering into one of its most extravagant hotels seeped in tradition and charm. The Royal Mansour Marrakech Palace hotel, owned by his royal highness, is one of these architectural gems. Whether its exterior structure made of clay, a known Moroccan construction style or its interior of riads (known as interior courtyards), fountains and unique mosaic flooring, the Moroccan identity is ever-present.
A potential lawyer
Starting his educational journey at The Royal Palace College where he completed his primary and secondary schooling, he continued his studies at the Mohammed V University in Rabat, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in law in 1985. His passion for the legal field continued as he pursued a Masters’ degree in public law. Then in 1993, at the University of Nice in France, he received a PhD in law.
An advocate for Moroccan women
One of the many ways that King Mohammed has supported women in Morocco is by giving them new roles and responsibilities in the community. In 2006, through an arrangement he made with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, women would receive training and study everything from theology to philosophy in order to become preachers, better known as Morchidat. The decision was quite monumental as it marked the very first time that a woman can take on a religious role in a Muslim country. As preachers, their role is to combat extremism in the country by spreading factual messages to the broader Moroccan community.
A descendant of the Prophet Muhammed
As King Mohammed is part of the Alouites Dynasty, an Islamic dynasty that has been ruling since 1631, he is considered a descendant of the Prophet through Ali Bin Abi Talib, the prophet’s cousin and the 4th Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate. Any person who is not only considered a descendant of the prophet receives the honorific title of “Sharif”. With this honorary link to the Prophet, King Mohammed is not only considered merely a political ruler but he is also deemed a religious and spiritual leader to the people of Morocco.
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