HM King Mohammed VI is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his family has ruled Morocco for close to 400 years.
Birth: 21 August 1963 (Age: 60)
Source of Influence: Administration of Religious Affairs, Philanthropy, Charity & Development, Political
Influence: King with authority over 37 million Moroccans
School of Thought: Sunni, Traditional Sunni, Maliki
Status: Featured in current year
HM King Mohammed VI is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad ď§Â and his family has ruled Morocco for close to 400 years. He is also constituÂtionally the Amir Al-Muâminin, or Commander of the Faithful, thereby combining religious and politÂical authority. King Mohammed VI is lauded for his domestic reform policies and pioneering efforts in modernising Morocco and countering terrorism. He tackles issues of poverty, vulnerability and social exÂclusion at home, and has improved foreign relations. King Mohammed VI influences the network of MusÂlims following the Maliki school of Islamic jurispruÂdence, and is a leading monarch in Africa.
Four-Hundred-Year Alaouite Dynasty: The 400-year-old Alaouite dynasty traces its lineage back to the Prophet Muhammad ď§. It takes its name from Moulay Ali Cherif, who became Prince of Tafilalt in 1631. It sees itself as a continuation of the AndaluÂsian Golden Age of Islam, which was characterised by peaceful co-existence, intellectual and cultural exÂchange and development.
Influence on Maliki Network: Morocco is home to the oldest university in the world, Al-Karaouine. This university is the centre of the Maliki school of jurisÂprudence. Since early in his reign, King Mohammed VI has implemented the Mudawana family law code that gives rights to women in divorce and property ownership, as well as citizenship to children born from non-Moroccan fathers. He has also commisÂsioned the Islamic Affairs Ministry to train women preachers, or morchidat, who are now active chapÂlains to Moroccans across the globe.
Huge Influence over Muslims in Africa: King MoÂhammed VI leads the largest African monarchy, with a population of 36.9 million. Besides political links, Morocco maintains strong spiritual ties with MusÂlims all over Africa. Morocco is the site of the tomb of a highly revered Sufi sheikh, Mawlana Ahmed ibn Mohammed Tijani Al-Hassani-Maghribi (1735-1815 CE), the founder of the Tijaniyya Sufi order, whose shrine attracts millions from across the contiÂnent. Morocco is also recognised as a source for the spread of Islam through West Africa.
The Marrakesh Declaration: The King invited hunÂdreds of the Islamic worldâs leading scholars to gathÂer for a 3-day summit in Marrakesh in January 2016 to address the question of the treatment of religious minorities in Muslim-majority communities. Basing themselves on the Charter of Medina, also known as the Constitution of Medina, which was drawn up by the Prophet Muhammad ď§Â himself, they issued calls for majority-Muslim communities to respect minorÂitiesâ âfreedom of movement, property ownership, mutual solidarity and defenceâ. HM King MohamÂmed VI of Morocco delivered the inaugural address and pointed to the history of Islamâs co-existence with other religions. This showed how Islam has enshrined the rights of religious minorities and promoted reliÂgious tolerance and diversity. (see page <?>)
Support for Jerusalem (Al-Quds): The King and indeed all Moroccans show strong support for PalÂestinians and for Jerusalem. The Moroccan link with Jerusalem has been strong since Salah Al-Dinâs son endowed the Magharbeh Quarter, next to the Buraq Wall, to North African pilgrims in 1193. This 800-year-old quarter was demolished by the Israeli auÂthorities in 1967 after they captured East Jerusalem.
Reform:Â King Mohammed VI has implemented maÂjor reforms in response to the Arab Spring protests. These have included a new constitution which has transferred many powers to a freely and fairly elected government. The gradual reforms of the King have been hailed as a model for other Arab countries to follow.
âWe are calling for an awakening of the global conscience and for a collective, responsible commitment to tackle climate change in order to ensure a better future for all humankind.”
1631CEÂ the year the Alaouite dynasty was foundedÂ
Over 8 thousand scholarships awarded to Africans