Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #9 : David Ben Yamin, Beni Mellal's saint and his many miracles

Rabbi David Ben Yamin is buried in Beni Mellal with his wife, a female saint called Lalla Kherwi’a. In the small city, he is known for his many miracles and he is venerated by both Jews and Muslims.

TELMA, the story of Morocco’s first and short-lived television channel

TELMA was Morocco’s first television channel, which started operating a few years before the country broke free from the French. The channel, which was mainly influenced by the French, had a short-lived experience and was rejected by Moroccans.

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.

Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #8 : Yahya Lakhdar, the saint of Sidi Eddahbi

The grave of Rabbi Yahya Lakhdar lays in Sidi Eddahbi, a small village near Ben Ahmed visited every year by the Jewish community in Morocco. The Jewish saint is known for his many legends.

Throne Day, when nationalists «invented» Morocco’s first civic celebration

In November 1933, Moroccans celebrated the first Throne Day, honoring sultan Mohammed ben Youssef. The holiday was introduced by nationalists and inspired by an Algerian poet, aimed at countering the symbols and rituals imposed by the French.

Ahmad Al-Mansur, the Moroccan sultan who was obsessed with conquering America

In 1601, sultan Ahmad Al-Mansur couldn’t hide his obsession with America. The Saadi ruler wanted to conquer the New World and make Moroccans populate the land with the help of Queen Elizabeth I.

Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco # 7: Shlomo Aben Danan, Fez’ most famous Dayans of all time

Rabbi Shlomo Aben Danan is one of the most famous Dayans the city of Fez has ever had. The Jewish saint lays in the city’s most renowned synagogue.

Mohammed Ben Arafa, Morocco’s unpopular sultan and the story of his unmarked grave

When the French realized that nationalists were close to Sultan Mohammed ben Youssef, they dethroned him and replaced him with his cousin Mohammed Ben Arafa. The latter remained sultan for two years before being banned from living in Morocco.

Sahara : When Algerian president Houari Boumediene promised to help king Hassan II

In 1974, Algeria promised to help Morocco retrieve the Sahara. The second President of Algeria Houari Boumediene had even offered to support Morocco in its conflict with Spain. However, the neighboring country’s position changed after the Green March.

Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #6 : Rabbi Raphael Berdugo, Meknes’ dayan and scholar

Rabbi Raphael Berdugo was the Rabbi of Meknes and a renowned scholar who was the author of several books. Berguda was known as «Raphael the Angel» by the Jewish community in Morocco during the beginning of the 19th century.