Rabat – King Mohammed VI will lead a religious ceremony today to pay tribute to Morocco’s late King Hassan II on the 24th anniversary of his passing according to the Islamic Hijri calendar.
The memorial service will take place at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Morocco’s capital city of Rabat, the Ministry of Royal Palaces, Honors, and Decorations has announced.
The religious ceremony will be broadcast live on both television and radio, the ministry added.
King Hassan II passed away on July 23, 1999, corresponding to Rabiʻ II 12, 1420 AH (year of Hijrah) in the Islamic calendar. Today marks Rabiʻ II 10, 1444 AH, the 24th anniversary of the late monarch’s passing according to the Hijri calendar.
The late King reigned over Morocco for 38 years, from 1961 until his passing at the age of 70. The former monarch was renowned for his strong and wise character, as well as his peacemaking efforts in the Middle East and Africa.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia awarded a Pan-African Prize to the late Moroccan sovereign in recognition of his contributions to the establishment of the African Union and Pan-Africanism.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed presented the award to the speaker of Morocco’s House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami in the African country’s capital Addis Ababa.
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One of the founding fathers of the Organization of African Unity, Hassan II had been determined to defend the best interests of Africa and ensure the peace and prosperity of the African people.
Hassan II’s legacy extends to Morocco’s current political stability, as he led the country through various regional and global crises. As his reign coincided with the decolonization of Morocco’s southern provinces, the late King led the country to reclaim its southern territories through the iconic Green March in 1975.
