Morocco Royals Celebrate Ramadan
Muslims everywhere are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan. Morocco’s royal family, in fact, is taking part in this month of fasting by following some contemporary traditions. King Mohammed VI, who also has the title of Commander of the Faithful and his brother Prince Moulay Rachid, lead the first religious lecture of Ramadan. His Majesty’s father, King Hassan II, commenced the first Ramadan lectures in the 1980s.
Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, was invited to speak. Using inspiration from Surat Al Asr, he spoke about the need to protect against those things that hinder the practice of religion. He cited ignorance and poverty, problems such as legitimacy of power and justice, and the need to institute organizations that support justice for all Morocco’s people. He further stressed that Morocco demonstrates the positive ties between power and the establishment of justice for all.
Another family tradition was started by King Mohammed VI’s sister, Princess Lalla Meryem, in the 1990s. She began the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccan Expatriates. This foundation promotes Arabic language and Moroccan culture to Moroccan expats living in other countries such as Canada, Gibraltar, and Senegal. During this holy month of Ramadan, the foundation and the Ministry of Islamic Affairs will provide preachers and Qur’an reciters to relay religious lectures to Moroccans living abroad. Additionally, 30,000 copies of the Qur’an will be given to NGOs in several other countries.
By: Carole Moriss with Journey Beyond Travel
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