Moroccan diplomats #2 : Mohamed Ben Hadou, Royal Society’s honorary member

To free Tangier, seized by King Charles II of England, Moulay Ismail sent Ambassador Mohamed Ben Hadou to London. The latter became a popular figure in England and was invited to universities and honorable institutions.

Moroccan diplomats #1 : Abd el-Ouahed Anoun, a source of inspiration for Shakespeare’s Othello

Sent by a Saadi Sultan to establish the Anglo-Moroccan alliance, Moroccan diplomat Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun is believed to have inspired the character of William Shakespeare's Moorish hero Othello.

History : When King Mohammed V visited the first Disneyland park

In 1957, King Mohammed V went on an official visit to the United States, where he went to Disneyland. Posing next to Walt Disney, the sovereign’s enjoyable trip to the park was documented through a series of photos.

1979 : When Juhayman al-Otaybi led the Grand Mosque seizure of the Masjid al Haram in Mecca

In 1979, Masjid al-Haram was seized by a group of 500 men under the leadership of Juhayman al-Otaybi, protesting against the Saudi monarchy. Islam’s holiest site was under siege for two weeks before Saudi Special Forces broke into the Mosque with the help of France and Pakistan.

Muslim scholars knew that the Earth was round

Way before Man stepped on the moon and gazed afar at our planet, Muslim scholars knew that the Earth was round. While many people still think that the Earth is flat, several Arab scientists tried to prove the opposite, years before this realization dawned on Galileo.

Why did Thomas Jefferson own a copy of the Quran ?

In the 1700s, American statesman Thomas Jefferson purchased a copy of the Quran. Historical records suggest that the third President of the US bought the book as a law student while others say he studied it to better understand his Muslim enemies in North Africa.

Peter the Venerable, the French abbot who saw Islam as a «Christian heresy»

During the 12th century, French abbot Peter the Venerable tried to introduce Islam to Christians in Europe through a book that ridiculed the religion. In his summary book, Peter gave an erroneous image of Islam, portraying it as a heresy.

Touria Chaoui, Morocco’s first female pilot and daring teenager

Courageous, bold, and determined Touria Chaoui built herself an impressive career that every man was dreaming of. She was the first female Aviatrix out there, a title that attracted the wrong people.

America's earliest upholders of Islam go back to the Founding Fathers

Discussions about Islam and Muslims were part of the United States’ history since the the country’s founding. America’s Founding Fathers were the first to accept the religion and declare that they «have no enmity against it».

The earliest direct English translation of the Quran was done to argue against Islam

British lawyer George Sale was the first man to conduct a direct English translation of the Quran. His 1733 translation contained notes and an interpretation of Muslims’ manners and laws.