Atlas Lions : The 5 most iconic moments of the Morocco national football team

On the 19th of October 1957, the Morocco national Football team played against Irak on its first football game as an independent country. The Atlas Lions since then have managed to build a reputation facing strong and experienced teams. To commemorate the Atlas Lions’ first game in 1957 we will stop by the team’s 5 most iconic moments throughout history. Flashback.

In 1627, Salé’s corsairs attacked a British island and used it as a base for raiding expeditions

In 1627, corsairs from the Republic of Salé raided a British island called Lundy. Led by Dutch renegade Jan Janszoon, Moroccan pirates used the island as a base for raiding expeditions.

Moroccan diplomats #24 : Shihab al-Din Ahmad al-Hajari, an envoy to the Netherlands

The Journey of Shihab al-Din Ahmad al-Hajari is a valuable account of modern Europe. The Andalusian Muslim sent as en envoy by Saadian sultan Moulay Zaydan, travelled to the Netherlands where he met distinguished scholars and described the beauty, the people and the traditions of the Dutch nation in the 16th century.

History : When Moroccan singer Samira Said was Eurovision’s first African entrant

In 1980, Moroccan singer Samira Bensaid participated to Eurovision Song Contest, singing about peace. Morocco finished in 18th place in the competition. In its 2019 edition, Eurovision will see the participation of Bilal Hassani, a French entrant of Moroccan descent.

History : When a Dutch painter saw the Badi Palace as «the eighth wonder of the world»

Dutch painter and engraver Adriaen Matham was a member of a diplomatic mission that had the chance to visit the Badi Palace in Marrakech in 1640. Impressed by the beauty of the Saadi royal court, Matham named it the eighth wonder of the world.

History : When an American squadron violated US neutrality laws, bombing Chefchaouen

In the 1920s, American Colonel Charles Sweeny proposed to the French to form a squadron to «support France’s war effort in Morocco». The squadron bombed Chefchaouen in a move that was condemned by the U.S. Department of State.

History : When Cartier created a waterproof watch exclusively for Thami El Glaoui

In the 1930s, Pasha Thami El Glaoui asked French watchmaker Cartier to create a waterproof watch for him to wear while swimming. After delivering it, Cartier lost track of the watch and ended up creating a line to honor the unique timepiece and its owner.

Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #2 : Amram Ben Diwan, born in Jerusalem and buried in Ouezzane

Born in Jerusalem, Rabbi Amram Ben Diwan traveled to Morocco in the eighteenth century as an emissary. In Ouezzane, his miracles made of him a saint who showered visitors with his blessings.

From Tetouan to Mali, the curious adventure of Moroccan merchant Abd Salam Shabeeny

Abd Salam Shabeeny is a Moroccan merchant who spent most of his life roaming Africa and the Middle East. His narrative was at the heart of a book that attracted British readers in 1820.

Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #1 : Khalifa Ben Malka, the saint of Agadir’s old cemetery

Every year, Jews gather in Morocco to conclude tomb pilgrimage. One of the tombs visited annually by the Moroccan Jewish community is the one of rabbi Khalifa Ben Malka who lived in the 17th century in Agadir.