Revolution of king and people: landmark in Morocco's history
Morocco, History, 8/20/2001

Morocco is celebrating this Monday, August 20, the 48th anniversary of the "Revolution of the King and the People," a landmark in the country's history, that illustrates the heroic struggle of the Alaouite Throne and the Moroccan people against occupation.

On August 20, 1953 the French colonial authorities exiled the Late King Mohammed V and the Royal Family, after the Late king had refused to disavow the action of the national movement and to sign decrees consecrating French domination over Morocco.

"We left (our country), our heart bleeding to see familiar landscapes fade away. But our consciousness is clear, because we are confident that, while endeavoring for the general interest, we have never betrayed the centuries-old traditions of our dynasty," said the late King Mohammed V in a message to the then French President Vincent Auriol.

The French colonizers did not foresee the popular response to their crime and could not imagine that the whole Moroccan people would stand, as one sole man, to defend their homeland and their legitimate monarch, who incarnates the nation's dignity and sacred ideals

"The violent reaction that followed the exile of our Late king and his Family, the spontaneous uprising which broke out on the morrow of the event, were only a logical expression of the feelings of each and every Moroccan against oppression and injustice and aspiration for justice and freedom," the late King Hassan II had said in a speech on the occasion of this blessed day.

August 20 tolled the bell for colonialism in Morocco. Struggle for national liberation will not end till the triumphant return of the Late King Mohammed V and the proclamation of Morocco's independence, on November 16, 1955.

The joy of liberation and the triumphant celebration of independence were not enough to make the late king overlook the other struggle awaiting the country, the struggle for economic and social development.

"We have come out from minor jihad (holy war) to the great Jihad," said the Late King Mohammed V upon return from exile.

The battle for independence was over, but a fiercer struggle started, to secure the country's economic and social development, perfect its territorial integrity and consolidate the rule of law.

As put by King Mohammed VI in his latest speech of the Throne, the late King Mohammed V was the hero of liberation, and the late King Hassan II, the builder of modern Morocco.

The torch is now borne, with determination and dynamism, by King Mohammed VI, who has repeatedly stressed, since his enthronement in July 1999, determination to lead the country towards further progress, prosperity, and social justice, making of the Moroccan people's well-being his paramount priority.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco marks recovery of Oued-Eddahab, a historic turning-point in the process to perfect territorial integrity   (8/14/2001)
  Fund-raising gala to promote Volubilis archeological site   (6/9/2001)
  More excavations to be conducted at archeological site   (4/11/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search