In 1839, the sultan of Morocco gifted the United States president Martin Van Buren a pair of lions

In 1839, sultan Abd al-Rahman ibn Hisham of Morocco sent a pair of lions to the US consulate in Tangier as a present for President Martin Van Buren. The gift was impossible to refuse and was shipped to the US by 1840.

Moroccan diplomats #21 : The Republic of Salé' s ambassadors to London

In 1627, the newly founded Republic of Salé sent two ambassadors to London to negotiate a treaty. England was planning to turn the republic into a military base for a joint action against Spain.

Moroccan diplomats #20 : Driss Al Amraoui, the printing press and the «Parisiennes»

Sent by Alaouite Sultan Mohammed IV to the Court of Napoleon III, Driss Al Amraoui, son of a scholar, left a tale of his wonder for printing machines, new technologies and the situation of women in France.

Moroccan diplomats #19 : Mohamed Al Ghassani and the lost manuscripts

Sent by Sultan Moulay Ismail to the court of King Carlos II of Spain, Mohamed Al Ghassani was tasked with the mission of releasing Muslim captives and retrieve Morocan manuscripts lost in the Iberian country.

Moroccan diplomats #18 : Ben Othman Al Meknassi, a historian, writer and ambassador

Sent by Alaouite Sultan Mohammed III to the court of King Carlos III of Spain, Mohamed Ben Othman Al Meknassi had to discuss the release of another ambassador who was held hostage in Malta.

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.

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.

Morocco's American Legation among America's most endangered historic places

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.

Couscous, is it Moroccan? An animated series on Morocco's intangible heritage gives an answer

Bassmat Tourath is a new animated series on Moroccan history and intangible heritage that tries to debunk historical misconceptions in an academic yet entertaining way.