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.

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.

Moroccan Jews did not flee the Kingdom, says the president of the Canadian Sephardi Federation

Commenting on Israel’s plan to demand compensation for assets left behind by Jews in Arab countries in 1948, the president of the Canadian Sephardi Federation recalled that Moroccan Jews did not flee the Kingdom. To Avraham Elarar, Jews in Morocco were citizens and not refugees.