Mohammed V of Morocco

Mohammed al-Khamis bin Yusef bin Hassan al-Alawi, known as Mohammed V (10 August 1909 – 26 February 1961), was the last Sultan of Morocco and the first King of Morocco. He belonged to the Alawi dynasty and worked hard to help Morocco gain its independence from French and Spanish rule.

He became sultan in 1927 after his father, Yusef bin Hassan, passed away. During World War II, he supported the Allies and helped protect Morocco’s Jewish population from harmful actions by the Vichy government.

After the war, Mohammed became a key leader in the movement for independence. In 1947, he gave a historic speech in Tangier calling for Morocco to be free. Tensions with the French grew, and in 1953, they exiled him to Corsica and later to Madagascar. People in Morocco opposed this, and two years later, he was allowed to return. In 1956, he helped Morocco become independent, and in 1957, he became king. He died in 1961 and was succeeded by his son, who became Hassan II.

Historians remember Mohammed V as a calm and fair leader who brought people together.

Biography

Early life and education (1909–1927)

Sidi Mohammed bin Yusef was born on 10 August 1909 in Fes to Sultan Yusef of Morocco and Lalla Yacout. He was their third and youngest son. In 1912, Morocco became a French protectorate after the Treaty of Fes was signed.

Sidi Mohammed began his education in Fes inside the palace grounds of his home. There he learned to read and write and received his first lessons in the Quran. When his father made Rabat the capital, Sidi Mohammed moved there to continue his studies with private teachers. He studied Arabic and the Quran, and also learned French.

Beginning of his reign (1927–1939)

Mohammed V became Sultan in 1927 after his father’s death. He married three women during this time, one of whom gave birth to his son and future king, Hassan II.

During World War II (1939–1945)

During World War II, Mohammed V attended a conference in Casablanca where he met with important leaders. There are different stories about what he did for Moroccan Jews during this time, but many believe he tried to protect them.

Struggle for independence (1945–1953)

Mohammed V became a key leader in Morocco’s fight for independence from France. He gave important speeches calling for freedom and unity. His efforts led to growing tension with French leaders.

Deposition and exile (1953–1955)

In 1953, French authorities exiled Mohammed V to Corsica and later to Madagascar. His cousin was placed on the throne instead. After two years, Mohammed returned to Morocco and was welcomed back as Sultan.

After independence (1956–1961)

After Morocco gained independence, Mohammed supported other countries fighting for freedom. He also worked to strengthen Morocco’s position on the world stage and supported important meetings and discussions.

Illness (1959–1961)

In his last years, Mohammed had health problems. He had surgery in 1959 and again in 1961.

Death and funeral (1961)

Mohammed V passed away on 26 February 1961 after surgery. His son, Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, announced his death and became King Hassan II. Many people attended his funeral, and he was later buried in a mausoleum built in 1971.

Nasab

Mohammed V’s family line is Mohammed bin Yusef bin Hassan bin Muhammad bin Abd al-Rahman bin Hisham bin Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Ismail bin Sharif bin Ali bin Muhammad bin Ali bin Youssef bin Ali bin Al Hassan bin Muhammad bin Al Hassan bin Qasim bin Muhammad bin Abi Al Qasim bin Muhammad bin Al-Hassan bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Arafa bin Al-Hassan bin Abi Bakr bin Ali bin Al-Hasan bin Ahmed bin Ismail bin Al-Qasim bin Muhammad al-Nafs al-Zakiyya bin Abdullah al-Kamil bin Hassan al-Muthanna bin Hasan bin Ali bin Abi Talib bin Abd al-Muttalib bin Hashim.

Legacy

Many important places and buildings are named after Mohammed V. These include the Mohammed V International Airport, Stade Mohammed V, and Mohammed V Square in Casablanca, as well as Mohammed V Avenue and Mohammed V University in Rabat. There are also streets named Avenue Mohammed V in many cities across Morocco, and even in other countries like Tunisia and Algeria.

After his death, the Istiqlal Party honored him as a great hero who worked hard to help Morocco and other parts of Africa become free.

Personal life

Mohammed V married his first wife, Hanila bint Mamoun, in 1925. She had his first daughter, named Fatima Zohra.

His second wife was his cousin, Abla bint Tahar. She was the daughter of Mohammed Tahar bin Hassan, who was a son of Hassan I of Morocco. They married in 1928, and she had five children, including the future King Hassan II. She passed away in Rabat in 1992.

His third wife was Bahia bint Antar, and they had a daughter named Amina.

Honours

Mohammed V was awarded many honors from different countries for his work. Some of these include:

• Order of Blood of the Tunisian Republic
• Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic
• Collar of the Order of Charles III of the Kingdom of Spain
• Companion of the Order of Liberation of the French Republic
• Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit of the United States
• Grand Collar of the Imperial Order of the Yoke and Arrows of Francoist Spain
• Grand Collar of the Order of Idris I of the Kingdom of Libya
• Collar of the Order of the Hashemites of the Kingdom of Iraq
• Grand Cordon of the Order of Umayyad of Syria
• Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of Lebanon
• Collar of the Order of the Nile of the Republic of Egypt
• Collar of the Order of Al-Hussein bin Ali of Jordan
• Grand Cordon of the Order of King Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia

He also received an honorary degree:

• 1957: Doctor of Laws, George Washington University