Throne Day (Arabic: عيد العرش, lit. 'feast of the throne') is a public holiday in Morocco, punctuated by commemorations of the day of the king's formal accession to the throne. The first celebration was held in 1933 to mark the accession of Mohammed V in 1927. The current date on which the holiday takes place is 30 July, the date when Mohammed VI was officially enthroned. Several nationwide and official events are covered on public television throughout the day.
History
The first celebration was in 1933 in honor of Sultan (later King) Mohammed V, and subsequent commemorations took place each year on 18 November. During the French protectorate period, he reportedly refused to sign off on "Vichy's plan to ghettoize and deport Morocco's quarter of a million Jews to the killing factories of Europe," and, in an act of defiance, insisted on inviting all the rabbis of Morocco to the 1941 throne celebrations.
The celebration date has since been moved to the respective day of the next monarch's official enthronement following their accession, beginning with 3 March under Hassan II (reigned 1961–1999). The bay'ah ceremony, in which elected and state officials pledge allegiance to the monarch and which initially took place only at the king's actual coronation, was made annual by Hassan II in 1962. The date was moved again to 30 July under the reign of Mohammed VI (1999–present).
Events
Throne Day is customarily marked by an official gathering at the royal palace, which comprises the swearing of allegiance (bay'ah) by officials representing the Ministry of Interior, regions, prefectures and provinces of Morocco to the monarch. This ceremony is covered only by official state media. Traditional activities by the king on 29 July (the eve of the enthronement day) include a televised speech to the nation outlining domestic and foreign policies, and the granting of royal pardons.
References
- Miller 2013, p. 131.
- ^ "Morocco Festively Celebrates Feast of the Throne". aglobalworld.com. Archived from the original on 3 January 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- "Moroccan Jews pay homage to 'protector'". Haaretz. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 5 February 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2011.
- Miller 2013, p. 45.
- ^ Berriot, Sébastien (1 August 2019). "La traditionnelle cérémonie d'allégeance au Maroc, un rituel immuable" [The traditional ceremony of allegiance in Morocco, an immutable ritual]. France Culture (in French). Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- "Morocco king marks 20 years with loyalty pledge". France 24. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- "Throne Day: HM the King, Commander of the Faithful, Chairs in Tetouan Allegiance Ceremony". Maghreb Arabe Presse. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
- "Throne Day: Royal Pardon for 2,052 People". Hespress. 29 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- "Moroccan King Seeks Government Shake-Up to Calm Frustrations". Voice of America. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
Works cited
- Miller, Susan Gilson (8 April 2013). A History of Modern Morocco (1 ed.). Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/cbo9781139045834. ISBN 978-0-521-81070-8.