Agadir 24 | Agadir24/و.م.ع
Tomorrow, Monday, November 18, 2024, the Moroccan people will commemorate the sixty-ninth anniversary of the glorious Independence Day, which embodied the highest meanings of cohesion between the Alawite throne and the Moroccan people in the epic struggle to defend the nation’s unity, sovereignty, and sanctities.
This glorious anniversary is considered a well-established milestone in the history of the Kingdom and in the conscience of all Moroccans, because it carries profound connotations and high value, and is an occasion to recall the historical context of this great event, which reflects true patriotism in its highest and most sublime manifestations, and embodies the victory of the will of the throne and the people and their close fusion for liberation from colonialism and the establishment of… He established an independent and unified Morocco that envisions a bright future for its children.
Peoples do not mature and expand their aspirations to build their present and future, except by recalling their history, approaching its moments of struggle, and its battles for survival and continuity, highlighting its distinctive entity among nations, and drawing lessons from its various stations, in order to dedicate the force of attraction in the past and present moments towards a future that seeks the best. .
One of the most prominent historical milestones that characterized the path of the national struggle was the historic visit made by the father of nationalism and the hero of liberation, His Majesty the late Mohammed V, to Tangier on April 9, 1947, as an affirmation of the attachment of Morocco, as king and people, to the freedom of the homeland, its territorial integrity, and its adherence to its components and identity.
One of the masterpieces of the national struggle is what the National Movement did at the beginning of the thirties by moving to political struggle and national action aimed primarily at spreading national awareness, strengthening resolve, and stoking enthusiasm among the youth and within all segments and classes of Moroccan society. The National Movement also worked to publicize the Moroccan issue in international forums, which had a shock effect on the foreign presence, which was confronting the national political struggle with arbitrary measures and plans that were hostile to the liberal thought that the National Movement adopted in interaction and harmony with the father of the nation and the hero of liberation and independence, His Majesty the late Muhammad V, may God sanctify him. His soul.
The colonizers did not succeed in stopping this tide of struggle, which then took root in the depths of all Moroccans, despite his exile of His Majesty the late Mohammed V, along with his honorable family, to Corsica and then to Madagascar, which was evident through the massive uprising witnessed, in its aftermath, by all Moroccan cities and villages.
All parts of the Kingdom witnessed many heroic battles and popular uprisings that embodied the resistance of the Moroccan people to the foreign presence and colonial hegemony, the most prominent of which were the battles of Al-Hari, Anwal, Bougafre, Jebel Badou, Sidi Bou Othman, the uprising of the tribes of Ait Ba Amrane and the southern provinces, and other historical stations in which the resistors taught the colonial forces eloquent lessons. In perseverance and sacrifice.
As a moment of unity for the nation, reflecting the memory of the courageous struggle of a people united behind their king, the spark of the revolution of the king and the people was launched on August 20, 1953, the celebration of which is an opportunity for the rising generations to realize the magnitude of the sacrifices made by their ancestors to liberate themselves from the oppression of colonialism and to restore Morocco to its independence.
The strong will of the nation triumphed, in harmony with the throne, to defend sacred national values, against the plans of the colonizer, who did not realize that by exiling the symbol of the nation, His Majesty the late Mohammed V, and his honorable family, he had only inflamed Moroccan patriotism and hastened the end of the era of confinement and protection.
Immediately upon the return of His Majesty the late Mohammed V, accompanied by his royal family, on November 18, 1955, from exile to the homeland, His Majesty announced the end of the French protectorate system and the dawn of freedom and independence, thus embodying the transition from the battle of the lesser jihad to the battle of the greater jihad and the victory of the revolution of the king and the people.
Independence constituted a clear victory and a decisive historical event, crowning with glory the stages of the bitter struggle that followed one another and had many forms and shapes in the face of the colonial presence imposed since March 30, 1912. The Kingdom of Morocco entered a new era, represented by the famous saying of His Majesty the late King Mohammed V, may God rest his soul. “We have moved from the smaller jihad to the larger jihad,” as the Kingdom has engaged in many reforms that… It was launched by the Father of the Nation and concerned all vital sectors in order to build the new Morocco and continue the odyssey of achieving territorial unity.
Following in the footsteps of his father, Al-Moneim, His Majesty the late King Hassan II fought the battle to complete territorial unity. During his reign, the city of Sidi Ifni was recovered on June 30, 1969, and the recovery of the southern provinces was also achieved thanks to the Green March that began on November 6, 1975. In addition to that, he was keen to His Majesty the late Hassan II for building the rule of law and modern institutions, and establishing an exemplary political and democratic system.
In order to consolidate the construction process pursued by His Majesty the late Mohammed V and after him His Majesty the late Hassan II, today, during the reign of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory, Morocco’s modernization workshops continue, first and foremost the defense of the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and the achievement of sustainable economic and social development that guarantees Every citizen has a decent life, and the Kingdom is elevated to the ranks of countries that make the human element the focus of its economic and social policy.
The celebration of Independence Day represents a moment for a contemplative pause that recalls the history of Morocco, which is rich in glories and bright milestones in order to defend the country’s sanctities, and an opportunity to draw inspiration from the lofty values and noble goals that this anniversary abounds, to fuel comprehensive mobilization, cultivate the spirit of citizenship, fortify democratic gains, and continue the journey. The Great Jihad, consolidating and preserving the territorial integrity of Morocco, and linking the ancient past with the glorious present and promising future.
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How did the exile of King Mohammed V influence the Moroccan independence movement and the collective consciousness of the Moroccan people?
**Interview with Dr. Fatima Belhaj, Historian and Expert on Moroccan Independence**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Belhaj. As we prepare to commemorate the sixty-ninth anniversary of Morocco’s Independence Day, what do you consider the most significant event leading up to this monumental day?
**Dr. Belhaj:** It’s a pleasure to be here. One of the most vital moments in the struggle for Moroccan independence was undoubtedly the historic visit of King Mohammed V to Tangier on April 9, 1947. This visit served as a powerful affirmation of Morocco’s commitment to sovereignty and national identity, drawing a clear line against colonialism.
**Interviewer:** That visit indeed marked a turning point. Can you share more about how the National Movement contributed to the awakening of national consciousness during the 1930s?
**Dr. Belhaj:** Absolutely. The National Movement’s shift towards organized political struggle during the early 1930s was pivotal. They focused on raising national awareness and mobilizing the Moroccan youth across various social strata. By bringing the Moroccan issue to international forums, they successfully highlighted the colonial injustices, which placed pressure on foreign powers and ignited a sense of unity among the people.
**Interviewer:** The exile of King Mohammed V played a significant role in rallying patriotic sentiments, didn’t it?
**Dr. Belhaj:** Yes, indeed! His exile to Corsica and later Madagascar had the opposite effect of what the colonizers intended. It galvanized the Moroccan populace, as people from all corners of the Kingdom participated in uprisings and resisted colonial authorities. Battles like Al-Hari and Anwal showcased incredible bravery and tenacity, revealing the deep-rooted desire for freedom.
**Interviewer:** The revolution of August 20, 1953, stands out as a unifying moment for the nation. How do you see its impact on current generations?
**Dr. Belhaj:** The August 20th date signifies the collective struggle of the Moroccan people alongside their king, embodying the essence of patriotic spirit. As we celebrate this anniversary, it serves as a reminder for younger generations of the sacrifices made and inspires them to appreciate their heritage while fostering a sense of responsibility for the nation’s future.
**Interviewer:** And King Mohammed V’s return on November 18, 1955, is crucial to this narrative. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Belhaj:** King Mohammed V’s return marked a watershed moment in Moroccan history. He announced the end of the French protectorate, fulfilling the aspirations of countless Moroccans who had struggled for independence. His famous declaration about moving from the “smaller jihad to the larger jihad” encapsulated the profound transformation of the national struggle, indicating a new era focused on comprehensive reforms for nation-building.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Belhaj. As we commemorate this important anniversary, what message do you wish to impart to the Moroccan people?
**Dr. Belhaj:** I urge every Moroccan to reflect on our rich history of resilience. Understanding our past struggles is crucial for nurturing pride in our identity and unity as a nation. Let us honor the sacrifices of our ancestors by continuing to work towards a prosperous and inclusive future for all Moroccans.