King Mohammed VI Presides Over Official Reception in M’diq Marking 26th Anniversary of Throne Accession
M’diq, The Gulf Observer: His Majesty King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, presided over an official reception on Wednesday at the M’diq-Fnideq Prefecture Plaza to commemorate the 26th anniversary of his accession to the throne.
The solemn ceremony commenced with the playing of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute, after which Moroccan and foreign dignitaries presented their heartfelt congratulations to the Sovereign.
Senior Government and Institutional Officials Extend Congratulations
Among the prominent well-wishers was Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, joined by Speaker of the House of Representatives Rachid Talbi Alami and President of the House of Councillors Mohamed Ould Errachid. Leading figures from the judiciary were also in attendance, including Supreme Judicial Council delegate-president Mohamed Abdennabaoui and Public Prosecutor Hicham Balaoui.
Constitutional Court President Mohamed Amine Benabdellah and Court of Auditors First President Zineb El Adaoui offered their congratulations, alongside other institutional leaders such as Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) President Abdelkader Amara and Secretary-General of the Higher Council of Ulemas Mohamed Yssef.
Further notable attendees included Rahma Bourqia, President of the Higher Council for Education, Training and Scientific Research; Amina Bouayach, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH); Kingdom Ombudsman Hassan Tariq; Audiovisual Communication Authority (HACA) President Latifa Akherbach; Competition Council President Ahmed Rahhou; and President of the National Anti-Corruption Authority Mohamed Benalilou.
Driss El Yazami, President of the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad, and Khalihenna Ould Errachid, President of the Royal Consultative Council for Saharan Affairs, were also present. Regional officials such as Wali of the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region Younès Tazi and Regional Council President Omar Moro represented local governance.
Military and Security Leadership Salute the Monarch
The Kingdom’s military and security institutions were prominently represented. General Mohamed Berrid, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, led the military delegation. He was joined by Royal Gendarmerie Commander General Mohamed Haramou, Third Bureau Chief Brigade General Azzeddine Khalid, Air Force Inspector Air Division General Mohammed Gadih, and Royal Navy Inspector Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin.
Also in attendance were Auxiliary Forces leadership and heads of key security agencies, including Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGSI), and Mohamed Yassine El Mansouri, Director General of External Documentation and Studies (DGED).
Diplomatic and Religious Communities Join Celebrations
The international diplomatic corps was led by Cameroon Ambassador Mohamadou Youssifou, Dean of the African diplomatic corps. Yemen’s Ambassador Ezzeddin Saïd Ahmed Al Asbahi served as interim Dean of Arab diplomats, while Julien-Vincent Brunie represented Europe as Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Ambassador Ian Montclair Queely represented the Eastern Caribbean States, and Chinese Ambassador Li Changlin served as Dean of the Asian diplomatic corps.
Religious leaders from various faiths also participated in the occasion, including Archbishop of Tangier Emilio Rocha Grande, Evangelical Church President Karen Thomas Smith, Russian Orthodox Church representative Maxim Massalitin, and Casablanca’s Grand Rabbi Yossef Israel — demonstrating Morocco’s commitment to interfaith harmony.
Women’s Football Team Honored in Royal Ceremony
FIFA President Gianni Infantino joined the celebration alongside Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The national women’s football team received special royal recognition for their remarkable performance at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The King and the royal family took commemorative photos with the team, highlighting their role in advancing women’s sports across the continent.
Traditional Torch Retreat Lights Up M’diq
On the evening of July 30, the traditional Royal Guard torch retreat took place along M’diq’s Lalla Nezha Avenue, drawing thousands of spectators. The ceremonial procession began at the Royal Residence and featured cavalry, musicians, and torchbearers forming symbolic geometric and national motifs, including the outline of Morocco’s map.
Artistic military formations from the Royal Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie, Headquarters Battalion, and Royal Navy enriched the performance. The retreat concluded with precision rifle drills that formed the patriotic phrase: “Long Live the King.”
This torch retreat, a tradition dating back to 1947, remains a key highlight of the Throne Day festivities. Since 1993, it has culminated with elaborate military exercises that require months of training.
A Celebration of National Unity and Constitutional Monarchy
Throne Day, first celebrated in 1933 in honor of Sultan Mohammed V, has evolved over the decades. Initially observed on November 18, the celebration moved to March 3 during the reign of King Hassan II (1961–1999) and has been commemorated on July 30 since the accession of King Mohammed VI in 1999.
Marking its 26th year under the current monarch, the celebration reaffirmed Morocco’s enduring constitutional monarchy and the unwavering bond between the Alaouite dynasty and the Moroccan people. Celebrations were held across the country, reflecting the deep national pride and collective commitment to progress and unity.
