King reiterates firm commitment to turn Fez into the embodiment of a sophisticated regional system

King Mohammed VI of Morocco reaffirmed, on Saturday, his firm commitment to turn the city of Fez into “the embodiment of a sophisticated regional system that should serve as the pillar of the modern Moroccan state.”

“Our keen desire is to link the city’s glorious past with its promising future through a multi-dimensional strategy designed to rehabilitate the city of Fez, for which I have special affection,” said the Monarch in a message in commemoration of the twelve hundredth anniversary of the Foundation of Fez.

Expressing his resolve to “consolidate the city’s character as a center for artistic creativity, craftsmanship, entrepreneurial spirit, productivity and exchange, and as a tourist destination boasting exceptional spiritual appeal as well as a vast gamut of specific assets,” the king made it clear that the city’s basic infrastructure has to be revamped.

The Monarch underlined the need to guarantee the city “access to modern information and communication technology and to see to it we foster enlightened thinking among our youth so that the city’s human resources may remain its foremost asset.”

“This requires joint efforts by all the parties concerned to achieve our goal of preserving the city’s ancient landmarks,” said King Mohammed VI whose message was read out on his behalf by his younger brother Prince Moulay Rachid.

“Just as important is the need to implement integrated development projects which enable all inhabitants of Fez to enjoy a dignified life, and which help preserve the city’s characteristic commitment to the principles of solidarity and patriotism thanks to which Fez has been playing a pioneering, pivotal role in defending Morocco’s sacred values, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the Monarch went on.

Bearing in mind the historical value of the city, the king recalled that Fez is building on its glorious past to shape a bright future full of hope and promise, thanks to the contributions of the city’s loyal sons and dedicated men and women, and thanks also to the affection of all our friends and honorable guests who share a special fondness for Fez.

Its founding, he underlined, was a watershed event in the long process of building the Moroccan nation-state, a fully independent country committed to moderate Sunni Islam and to the monarchy system which is based on the mutually binding legitimate bei’a (act of allegiance) between the throne and the people which involves the Amazigh and Arab-Islamic components of our nation.

Fez does not merely attest to our time-honored, deep-rooted civilization, but its historical symbolism also stems from the fact that the city has been a prestigious centre of learning and spiritual fulfillment in the western part of the Islamic world, his Majesty concluded.

The city was founded in year 808 by Moulay Idriss II, who made it the capital of Morocco during the Idrissid dynasty. In 1981, the UNESCO has declared Fes a city of humanitarian heritage as recommended by the international sites and monuments council.

Internationally, Fes is a worldwide cultural heritage whose radiation is universal just like Ibn Khaldoun, Maimonide or Mozart. Jewish, Christian and Muslim cultures have lived in peace and tolerance.