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Death and funeral of Hassan II of Morocco

Hassan II, King of Morocco since 1961, died on 23 July 1999 at the age of 70, in the capital of Rabat. His death was announced in the evening by his eldest son, Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed, who succeeded him as King Mohammed VI. Hassan's remains were interred at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat on 25 July, following an Islamic funeral ceremony.

Death and funeral of Hassan II of Morocco
Hassan II in 1982
Date23 July 1999; 24 years ago (1999-07-23) at 16:30 (UTC)
(death)
25 July 1999
(funeral and burial)
LocationRabat, Morocco

The Moroccan government officially declared a period of mourning following Hassan's death; representatives of multiple countries, as well as the United Nations, offered condolences.

Background edit

Hassan acceded to the throne of Morocco following his father's death on 26 February 1961.

During a visit to New York in 1995, Hassan was admitted to hospital due to respiratory issues, at which point he was advised by his doctors to quit smoking.[1] In contrast to King Hussein of Jordan, Hassan reportedly preferred to avoid treatment outside his home country.[2]

Hassan's 70th birthday was marked on 9 July 1999. In the weeks prior to his death, on 14 July, he attended the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris, after which he hosted President Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen for an official dinner in Rabat on 21 July.[1][3]

Death edit

Hassan II's health began to decline progressively in the early hours of 23 July. After being admitted to the Royal Palace clinic at 08:00 (UTC), he was placed under observation and responded normally to treatment. At around noon, he fell into a comatose state due to a myocardial infarction and was transferred to the CHU Ibn Sina [fr] hospital, which later released an official statement indicating that the king was "suffering from acute pneumopathy".[3][4][5]

By this time, Hassan's two sons, Crown Prince Sidi Mohammed and Prince Moulay Rachid, were at his bedside, with his nephew Prince Moulay Hicham boarding a flight bound for Rabat from Paris, while Moroccan state television began broadcasting recitals of the Quran.[2] At 14:15, Sidi Mohammed called Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi to inform him of his father's declining health.[2] Hassan II was pronounced dead at 16:30.[6]

Mohammed made a speech publicly announcing Hassan's death at 20:40. He then formally assumed the throne as King Mohammed VI, with Moulay Rachid becoming crown prince, in an official ceremony also attended by Princes Moulay Hicham and Moulay Ismail, and members of the government and royal cabinet.[6][7]

Reactions edit

His Majesty has passed away this afternoon at 4:30 p.m. of a cardiac arrest as a result of complications that could not be treated. [...] On this painful occasion, I express my deep condolences to the faithful people of Morocco, which has always shown its love, faith and loyalty to this courageous king.[1]

Mohammed VI of Morocco

Following the announcement of the king's death, hundreds of mourners visited the Royal Palace in Rabat, while an anchor on Moroccan state television openly cried.[8] A 40-day period of national mourning was declared, with flags due to be flown at half-mast at public and semi-public institutions, as well as Moroccan diplomatic missions abroad.[8][9][7] Libération reported that the stock market and public services reopened on 25 July, in spite of the mourning period.[10]

The Polisario Front, which fought a war with Morocco from 1975 to 1991, said Hassan "would be remembered for ruling the disputed territory with ruthless oppression".[11] Polisario leader Mohamed Abdelaziz, in a telegram to King Mohammed VI, said Hassan's death was "tragic news which has deeply afflicted us".[12]

International edit

Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika said that Hassan's death was "a source of great sadness for me personally and for the majority of Algerians who are proud of the joint heritage between Algeria and Morocco".[13] Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak referred to the king as "a brother, friend and comrade-in-arms", while President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan described him as "a symbol of moderateness whose support was sought by all", adding that he had been "a brother and a friend and a messenger of peace among nations".[13] Official mourning was declared in several Arab states.[13][14][15][9]

Israeli president Ezer Weizman referred to Hassan as a "true partner" in the Israeli–Palestinian peace process,[16] while former prime minister Shimon Peres said that Hassan "contributed a great deal" to the peace process.[8] Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat paid homage to "King Hassan II's stances in defence of the Palestinian people and their right to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital".[13] Following the announcement of Hassan's death, Arafat suspended a meeting of Palestinian leadership in Gaza.[13] The Palestinian leadership declared three days of official mourning.[8]

French president Jacques Chirac, then on an official visit to Nigeria, expressed his "immense pain", referring to Hassan II as "a man who loved our country and who loved the French".[17] A planned gala dinner co-hosted by Chirac and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo was cancelled following the king's death.[17] French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin remarked that "throughout his reign, marked by a unique relationship of friendship and trust between Morocco and France, the King has embodied the fundamental values of his country, in its traditions as well as in its openness to the world".[17]

US President Bill Clinton released an official statement saying that the "prayers of all Americans go out to the royal family and the people of Morocco".[18] In a later interview, he remarked that Hassan had "worked very hard to reconcile the differences among the Moroccan people, within Morocco, and therefore, to set an example of the kind of thing that all of us should be doing".[19] Russian President Boris Yeltsin, in a telegram of condolences, referred to Hassan as "a wise leader who had worked tirelessly for peace".[11] Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, said that Hassan would be remembered for "dedication and fortitude", while Queen Elizabeth II sent a message of condolences to King Mohammed VI.[11][20]

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan remarked, "By serving as a bridge of peace between different nations and cultures, King Hassan made Morocco itself a bridge of understanding and cooperation between Europe and Africa, North and South, East and West."[8] During a plenary meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on 28 July, President Didier Opertti and representatives of the United Nations Regional Groups paid tribute, and a minute of silence was observed.[21]

Funeral edit

Islamic custom dictates that a burial should take place as soon as possible after death, usually within 24 hours.[22] The Moroccan cabinet, headed by Abderrahmane Youssoufi, held an extraordinary meeting on 24 July to discuss implementation and preparations for the funeral,[7][23] which was to be delayed by a day to allow time for foreign dignitaries to travel to Rabat.[24]

At approximately 15:00 (UTC) on 25 July, Hassan's coffin, draped in a cloth depicting the Shahada in golden writing, was placed on a gun carriage after being carried out of the Royal Palace hall, and the national anthem was sung. His relatives, including King Mohammed VI and Crown Prince Moulay Rachid, followed the procession.[24][25][26] The route itself was lined by hundreds of thousands of Moroccans, many of them crying, holding pictures of King Hassan, or praying; some cases of fainting were reported.[24][27]

Following the arrival of the coffin at the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, a congregation at the nearby al-Hassan Mosque, which included senior members of the Moroccan royal family, performed the Asr prayer, followed by the salat al-janazah (funeral prayer), before Hassan's remains were buried within the mausoleum.[24][25]

Foreign dignitaries edit

Representatives from over 45 countries were present in Rabat for the funeral, including 36 heads of state and government. Many dignitaries marched in front of the coffin of King Hassan II during the funeral processions, with only Muslim foreign representatives attending the funeral service at the al-Hassan Mosque.[23][26]

Hafez al-Assad, President of Syria, was expected to attend the funeral, but for unknown reasons cancelled his attendance immediately beforehand.[28][29]

Royalty edit

Heads of state and government edit

Other governmental representatives edit

Delegations edit

International organisations edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Moroccan prince announces king's death". United Press International. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Maroc : mort de Hassan II, la nuit du destin". Jeune Afrique (in French). 23 July 2014. Archived from the original on 11 May 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Mort de Hassan II". Jeune Afrique (in French). 21 July 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  4. ^ "La dernière semaine du roi". La Croix (in French). 27 July 1999. ISSN 0242-6056. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  5. ^ "MAROC – Hassan II meurt des suites d'une crise caradiaque Une tâche immense attend le futur Mohamed VI". L'Orient-Le Jour (in French). 24 July 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  6. ^ a b "La mort de Hassan II, roi du Maroc". Le Monde (in French). 25 July 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  7. ^ a b c "مبايعة الامير محمد السادس ملكا للمغرب: العالم يشيع الحسن الثاني اليوم، اجتماع طارىء للحكومة والصدمة تخيم على الشارع المغربي" [The pledge of allegiance to prince Mohammed VI as King of Morocco: the world mourns Hassan II today, an emergency meeting of the government and the shock hangs over the Moroccan street]. Al-Bayan (in Arabic). 24 July 1999. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e Yamani, Abdelhakim (24 July 1999). "Morocco's King Hassan II Dead at 70". Rabat, Morocco. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  9. ^ a b "قادة وحكومات دول العالم يشاركون الشعب المغربي المفجوع في فقد مليكه الأحزان". Al Jazirah (in Arabic). 25 July 1999. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  10. ^ Henry, Michel (27 July 1999). "Le Maroc se réjouit de l'impact des funérailles. La diffusion planétaire a gonflé les coeurs". Libération (in French). Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d "World leaders to mourn Hassan". BBC News. 24 July 1999. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  12. ^ Balmer, Crispian (24 July 1999). "Leaders Start To Arrive For Morocco Funeral". TIME. Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 May 2001. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Region mourns death of King Hassan". BBC News. Caversham, England. 24 July 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Arab Leaders, Governments Mourn Death of Moroccan King". Tehran Times. 24 July 1999. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  15. ^ Maddy-Weitzman, Bruce (May 2002). Middle East Contemporary Survey: Vol. XXIII 1999. ISBN 9789652240491. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  16. ^ "Moroccan Jews mourn the passing of King Hassan II". The Jewish News of Northern California. 30 July 1999. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  17. ^ a b c Fritscher, Frederic (25 July 1999). "Jacques Chirac a exprimé son « immense peine »". Le Monde (in French). Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Statement on the Death of King Hassan II of Morocco". The American Presidency Project. UC Santa Barbara. 23 July 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  19. ^ "Remarks on the Death of King Hassan II of Morocco and an Exchange With Reporters in Aspen". The American Presidency Project. UC Santa Barbara. 24 July 1999. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  20. ^ a b c "Royal tribute to Moroccan king". BBC News. 24 July 1999. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  21. ^ "Tribute to His Majesty Hassan II, late King of Morocco – GA plenary meeting – Verbatim records (excerpts)". Question of Palestine. United Nations. 28 July 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  22. ^ Rahman, Rema (25 October 2011). "Who, What, Why: What are the burial customs in Islam?". BBC News. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  23. ^ a b c Canales, Pedro (24 July 1999). "La élite política mundial acude hoy a los funerales" [The global political elite attends the funeral today]. El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h "Morocco's King Hassan buried as thousands mourn". CNN. 25 July 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  25. ^ a b Henry, Michel (26 July 1999). "Foule immense à Rabat aux obsèques de Hassan II. Mohamed VI prend les rênes de l'avenir du Maroc". Libération (in French). Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  26. ^ a b c Broder, John M.; Jehl, Douglas (26 July 1999). "In Scenes Of Tumult, Moroccans Bury King". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  27. ^ "Hassan II: A King Beloved or Despised?". IslamiCity. 26 July 1999. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Chen, Edwin; Wilkinson, Tracy (26 July 1999). "World Leaders Join 2 Million at King's Funeral". Los Angeles Times. Rabat, Morocco. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  29. ^ a b c Drozdiak, William (26 July 1999). "Funeral Becomes Forum for Peace Talk". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af "Lista de jefes de Estado y de Gobierno que asisten a los funerales de Hasán II" [List of heads of state and government attending the funeral of Hassan II]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Agence France-Presse. 25 July 1999. Archived from the original on 26 November 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  31. ^ "Maroc-Japon: "Amitié et estime mutuelles", les liens forts unissant la Famille royale et la famille impériale" [Morocco-Japan: "Mutual friendship and esteem", the strong ties uniting the Royal Family and the imperial family]. 2M (in French). 22 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  32. ^ a b c Sanz, Juan Carlos (25 July 1999). "Don Juan Carlos se ofrece a actuar como un hermano mayor de Mohamed VI". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e f "Morocco: World Leaders In Rabat To Attend Funeral Of Hassan". AllAfrica. Dakar. Panafrican News Agency. 25 July 1999. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  34. ^ "Marokko: Trauerfeier für König Hassan II". Der Spiegel (in German). 25 July 1999. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  35. ^ "Intervento ai Funerali di Stato del Re del Marocco Hassan II – Il Presidente Ciampi con Mohammed VI, erede al Trono". I Presidenti della Republica (in Italian). 25 July 1999. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  36. ^ "King Hassan of Morocco: world leaders mourn a ruthless despot". World Socialist Web Site. International Committee of the Fourth International. 28 July 1999. Archived from the original on 22 May 2023. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  37. ^ "Rabat reopens after king's funeral". BBC News. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  38. ^ "وداع جياش شارك فيه مليونا مغربي واكثر من30 زعيما: تشييع الحسن الثاني في اكبر جنازة شعبية ورسمية" [A strong farewell in which two million Moroccans and more than 30 leaders participated: the funeral of Hassan II in the largest public and official funeral]. Al-Bayan (in Arabic). 25 July 1999. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  39. ^ "SECRETARY-GENERAL ATTENDS FUNERAL OF KING HASSAN II OF MOROCCO". United Nations. 26 July 1999. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
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