Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #4 : David Ou Moshe and the miracles of Agouim’s saint

Rabbi David Ou Moshe is a Jewish saint who is buried in Agouim, a small village near Ouarzazate. Ou Moshe, was born in Jerusalem, and is known to Moroccan Jews for his many miracles.

Jewish pilgrimage in Morocco #3 : Raphael Encaoua, the Kingdom’s first Chief Rabbi

Born in Sale, Raphael Encaoua is a Jewish saint who was the President of the High Rabbinical Court of Rabat. Encaoua is known for being the first Chief Rabbi of Morocco during the protectorate.

American Civil War : When Morocco violated its neutrality arresting two Confederate diplomats

The Moroccan authorities arrested, in 1862, two Confederate diplomats who visited Tangier. The arrest was ordered by the U.S. Consul James DeLong who held the two men in prison and sent them to Boston, in a move that violated Morocco's neutrality.

Pope Sylvester II, the first French pontiff who attended Al Quaraouiyine University

Pope Sylvester II, who studied at Morocco’s Al Quaraouiyine University in Fes, is the first French scholar to hold this position. The Arabic-speaking Pope is, according to some historians, the one behind the Crusades' plan.

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.

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.