Moroccan diplomats #5 : Mohamed Zebdi, Sultan Hassan I’s ambassador to the European powers

Sent in 1876 by Sultan Hassan I to Europe, Ambassador Mohamed Zebdi met during his trip the French president, Queen Victoria, and the King of Italy.

Moroccan diplomats #4 : Abdelkader Perez, the trusted ambassador of three Alaouite Sultans

Abdelkader Perez was Morocco’s ambassador to England and the Netherlands in 1724 and 1730 respectively. Sent by three Alaouite sultans, the Admiral met King George I and George II.

Moroccan diplomats #3 : Abdallah Ben Aisha, Salé’s corsair and Moulay Ismail’s ambassador

Abdallah Ben Aisha is a powerful and rich corsair who became in the 17th century Moulay Ismail’s trusted envoy. In 1698 he was sent to Paris to meet Louis XIV and discuss a treaty with him.

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.

Moroccan diplomats #6 : The Toledano brothers, Sultan Ismail’s most powerful Jewish emissaries

Sent by Moulay Ismail to the Netherlands, England and Spain, the Toledano brothers were members of a well respected family the Sultan relied on to maintain good diplomatic relations with Europe.

In the eighteenth century, an Austrian orientalist wanted to write the history of Morocco

In the eighteenth century, Vienna-born orientalist Franz Von Dombay was sent to Morocco as part of a diplomatic mission. While living in Morocco, he intended to write the history of the Kingdom and its rulers, showing great interest in the spoken dialect.

History : The International Court of Justice once questioned the French protectorate over Morocco

In August 1953, France exiled the Sultan of Morocco Mohammed V and his family. The International Court of Justice, thanks to the United States, seriously questioned the decision.

Lalla Batoul, modern Morocco’s first female political prisoner

In 1910, Lalla Batoul was arrested and tortured alongside her husband, the former Pasha of Fez. Her story rose to fame as she was considered modern Morocco’s first female political prisoner.

Ghailan, the restless warlord of northern Morocco

Ghailan or Guyland is a Moroccan warlord who dreamed of building his own emirate in northern Morocco. With his strong men, he won several battles and tried to seize English Tangier before being put to death by Moulay Ismail.