Princess hails Moroccan-French shared history and memory
Morocco-France, Politics, 3/19/2004

Morocco's Princess Lalla Meryem, chairwoman of the "Union nationale des femmes marocaines" (National Union of Moroccan Women), underlined, in Paris Thursday, the "shared history and memory" between Morocco and France, at the opening of the first general assembly of the "Union des femmes decorees de la legion d'honneur," (union of women holders of French legion d'honneur decoration).

"Our common history, our shared memory attest of a never denied exception for the ties that were weaved between our two peoples. They are also foundations of intentions that we will forge together for a future liberated from the demons of blind intolerance.," said the Princess who is sister of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

Lalla Meryem recalled the participation of Moroccan soldiers in the French Army during the second world war to fight "barbarism and tyranny. "They have, thus, responded in courage and determination to the call of My Grandfather His Majesty King Mohammed V, companion of the liberation, may God bless His memory, who has endeavoured, during his entire life, for a world of freedom and equality with men.," the princess went on.

"It is this exemplarity which inspires, today, the action of our two countries, under the enlightened guidance of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Jacques Chirac.," Lalla Meryem said noting that "as strategic partners as we are, we are endeavouring to bring about a Euro-Mediterranean space for peace, security, stability, democracy, tolerance, shared prosperity, to establish its historic vocation as a cradle of civilizations and a crossroad of interaction for diverse cultures."

The Princess thanked participants for their "strong homage" to the late Royal Highness Princess Lalla Fatima Zahra, former Chairwoman of the National Union of Moroccan Women.

"Militant in her early life, the late Lalla Fatima Zahra engaged in the audacious fight for the emancipation of the Moroccan and the Arab-Moslem woman. She dedicated her life to the disabused, the excluded, and to all those excluded by fatality. She travelled around the country, including the most remote areas to eliminate illiteracy, provide care, help raise awareness of women, not only regarding their rights, but also their position and their unavoidable role in the society.," the Princess told participants in this ceremony held in memory of the late Fatima Zahra.

Previous Stories:
  La Nouvelle Tribune: French Development Agency doubles aid to Morocco for 2004-2006   (3/12/2004)
  King Mohammed receives French home minister   (3/10/2004)
  Sahara: France highlights need to carry on dialogue between Morocco, Algeria   (1/24/2004)

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

Search