Mohammed VI of Morocco 226113 224231181 2008-07-07T22:22:57Z Xiquet 6174182 arabic {{Infobox_Monarch | name = Mohammed VI of Morocco<br><small>محمد السادس ملك المغرب</small> | nickname = "The Cool King" | image = [[Image:Mohammed VI of Morocco.jpg|150px]] | title = [[King of Morocco]] | reign = [[23 July]] [[1999]] – present | predecessor = [[Hassan II of Morocco|Hassan II]] | spouse = [[Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco|Princess Lalla Salma]] | suc-type = Heir Apparent | heir = [[Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco|Moulay Hassan]] | issue = [[Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco|Moulay Hassan]]<br>[[Princess Lalla Khadija of Morocco|Lalla Khadija]] | royal house = [[Alaouite dynasty|House of Alaoui]] | royal anthem = "[[Hymne Chérifien]]" | father = [[Hassan II of Morocco|Hassan II]] | mother = [[Lalla Latifa Hammou]] | date of birth = {{bda|1963|08|21|df=y}} | place of birth = [[Rabat]], [[Morocco]] }} '''King Mohammed VI''' ([[Arabic language|Arabic]]: محمد السادس) born in 1963, is the [[King of Morocco]]. He ascended to the throne in July 1999. ==Early monarchy== Mohammed was born in [[Rabat]], [[Morocco]] on [[August 21]], [[1963]], the eldest son and second child of [[Hassan II of Morocco|King Hassan II]] and his wife, [[Lalla Latifa Hammou]], from an important [[Berber people|Berber]] family. Before becoming [[monarch|king]], he held the title of [[Crown Prince]]. He was enthroned [[July 23]], [[1999]], just hours after the death of his father. The young King soon became known as a moderniser who may have furthered the legitimacy of the [[constitutional monarchy]], a political system that Morocco has followed since its 2nd March 1972 constitution. Mohammed is the 18th king in the [[Alaouite dynasty]], which has reigned in [[Morocco]] since 1666. He carries also, according to the Moroccan constitution, the title of [[Amir al-Mu'minin]] (''Commander of the Faithful'' or religious chief). ==Education== His father, the late [[IBRAHIM II of Morocco|King Hassan II]], was keen on giving him a religious and political education from an early age At the age of four, he started attending the [[Qur'an]]ic school at the Royal Palace where he learned the Qur'an by heart, and received a religious and traditional education. After primary and secondary studies at the [[Royal College]] and after he received his [[Baccalaureate]] in 1981, Mohammed obtained in 1985 a [[B.A]] in law at the College of law of the [[Mohammed V University]] in [[Rabat]]. His research paper dealt with "the Arab-African Union and the Strategy of the Kingdom of Morocco in matters of International Relations." In 1987 he obtained his first ''Certificat d'Études Supérieures'' (CES) in political sciences and in July 1988 he obtained a ''Diplôme d'Études Approfondies'' [[DEA (former French degree)|DEA]] in public law. In November 1988 he trained in [[Brussels]] with [[Jacques Delors]], then President of the [[European Commission]]. He obtained his [[doctorate]] in law ([[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]]) with "Very Honourable" distinction and the Congratulations of the Jury on [[October 29]], [[1993]] from the [[France|French]] [[University of Nice Sophia Antipolis]] for his thesis on "EEC-Maghreb Relations." He is the recipient of an [[honorary degree]] by [[The George Washington University]] awarded in [[June 22]], [[2000]] for his promotion of [[democracy]] in [[Morocco]]. Mohammed was promoted to the rank of Major General on [[July 12]], [[1994]]. ==Social reform and liberalization== [[Image:King Mohammed VI Morocco 23 April 2002.jpg|thumb|[[George W. Bush]] talks with King Mohammed VI of Morocco in the [[Oval Office]] Tuesday, [[April 23]], [[2002]]. White House photo by [[Eric Draper]].]] Shortly after he took the throne, he addressed his nation via television, promising to take on poverty and corruption, while creating jobs and improving Morocco's human rights record. Mohammed VI is generally opposed by [[Islamist]] [[Conservatism|conservatives]], and some of his reforms have angered [[Islamic fundamentalism|fundamentalists]]. He also created a new family code, or [[Mudawana]], which granted women more power. The law came into effect in February, 2004. Mohammed VI also created the so-called [[Equity and Reconciliation Commission (Morocco)|Instance Equité et Réconciliation]] (IER), a commission, which was supposed to research [[human rights]] violations under Hassan II. The commission was however not allowed to mention Mohammed's predecessor or report about human rights violations since 1999, when Mohammed was enthroned. This move was welcomed by many as a move towards [[democracy]], but also criticized because the commission could not criticize the violation of freedom of speech, which according to human rights organisations still exists in Morocco. King Mohammed [[pardon]]ed on [[4 April]] [[2008]] eight demonstrators convicted in [[2007]] on charges of undermining the monarchy. The eight men, all members of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, were detained after chanting slogans [[Lèse majesté|critical of the monarchy]]. ==Family== {{Moroccan Royal Family}} Mohammed has one brother, [[Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco|Prince Moulay Rachid]], and three sisters, [[Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco|Princess Lalla Meryem]], [[Princess Lalla Asma of Morocco|Princess Lalla Asma]], and [[Princess Lalla Hasna of Morocco|Princess Lalla Hasna]]. On [[March 21]], [[2002]] he married Salma Banani (now HRH [[Princess Salma Banani of Morocco|Princess Lalla Salma]]) in Rabat, giving her the title of [[Princess]]. Princess Lalla Salma has two children, [[Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco|Crown Prince Moulay Hassan]], who was born on [[May 8]], [[2003]] and [[Princess Lalla Khadija of Morocco|Princess Lalla Khadija]] who was born on [[February 28]], [[2007]]. ==Jail sentence of Fouad Mourtada controversy== On Tuesday, February 5<sup>th</sup>, 2008, [[Fouad Mourtada]] was arrested on suspicion of stealing the identity of [[Prince Moulay Rachid]], by creating a false profile on [[Facebook]]. Although, Prince Moulay Rachid did not sue him, Mohammed using his vast powers of 'supreme representative of the nation', proceed the arrest and prosecution. On February 23rd, Fouad Mourtada was sentenced to 3 years in jail and fined 10,000 Dirhamrs (~1,350 US Dollars). After local protests and international criticism, on March 19th Fouad Mourtada has been granted royal pardon just days before an appeal hearing. The move has brought criticism by human right watchers over Mohammed using his power over the fair rule of law.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7304361.stm Morocco 'Facebook prince' pardon], ''BBC News'', [[March 19]], [[2008]]. Accessed [[July 5]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=25900 Royal pardon for Internet user, condemned to three years of jail for creating spoof Facebook for prince], ''Reporters Without Borders'', [[March 19]], [[2008]]. Accessed [[July 5]], [[2008]].</ref> ==See also== *[[Alaouite dynasty]] *[[King of Morocco]] ==External links== *[http://www.royal-maroc.net Official site] *[http://www.usa-morocco.org/alaoui.htm Morocco Alaoui dynasty] *[http://www.mincom.gov.ma/english/generalities/history/history.html History of Morocco] *[http://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/2000/0626/kingqa.html King Mohammed VI Grants Exclusive First-ever Interview to Time] *Laurenson, John. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/4794188.stm The most powerful man in Morocco], ''[[BBC News]]'', [[March 11]], [[2006]]. ==References== {{reflist}} {{start box}} {{s-hou|[[Alaouite dynasty|House of Alaoui]]|[[21 August]]|[[1963]]||}} {{s-reg|}} {{s-bef|before=[[Hassan II of Morocco|Hassan II]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of rulers of Morocco|King of Morocco]]|years=1999 – present}} {{s-inc|heir=[[Moulay Hassan, Crown Prince of Morocco|Moulay Hassan]]}} {{end box}} [[Category:1963 births]] [[Category:Alaouite dynasty]] [[Category:Arab statesmen]] [[Category:Current national leaders]] [[Category:Kings of Morocco]] [[Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Reigning monarchs]] [[ar:محمد السادس بن الحسن]] [[da:Mohammed 6. af Marokko]] [[de:Mohammed VI. (Marokko)]] [[et:Mohammed VI]] [[el:Μοχάμετ ΣΤ΄]] [[es:Mohamed VI de Marruecos]] [[fr:Mohammed VI]] [[gl:Mohamed VI de Marrocos]] [[ko:모로코의 모하메드 6세]] [[hr:Muhamed VI.]] [[id:Muhammad VI dari Maroko]] [[is:Múhameð VI af Marokkó]] [[it:Mohammed VI del Marocco]] [[he:מוחמד השישי]] [[sw:Muhamad VI]] [[hu:VI. Mohammed marokkói király]] [[nl:Mohammed VI van Marokko]] [[no:Mohammed VI av Marokko]] [[pms:Mohammed VI dël Maròch]] [[pl:Muhammad VI (Alawici)]] [[pt:Mohammed VI de Marrocos]] [[ru:Мухаммед VI]] [[sr:Мухамед VI од Марока]] [[fi:Muhammad VI]] [[sv:Mohammed VI av Marocko]] [[zh:穆罕默德六世 (摩洛哥)]]