Morocco’s Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq declared Morocco’s claims to Ceuta and Melilla before King Mohammed VI and his heir. This occurred during a religious ceremony at the Royal Palace in Rabat, dedicated to the celebration of Mawlid — the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
During the celebration, attended by Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, and other political, military, and religious figures of the country, Minister Toufiq referred to religious and historical facts, calling these territories “occupied” and calling for “liberation from Iberian occupation,” as reported by the agency MAP. The ceremony, which took place last Monday during the day, gathered a significant part of the Alawite leadership of the country and gave the minister the opportunity to link territorial claims with the religious and cultural history of Morocco.
Historical and Religious References
In his speech, Ahmed Toufiq focused on two prominent Islamic scholars associated with Ceuta: Qadi Iyad and Al-Azafi, who originated from this city. Qadi Iyad was born in Ceuta at the end of the 11th century, served as a judge in the city, and is considered one of the saints of Marrakech. Al-Azafi was also born in the territory of Ceuta and was a member of the ruling family in the 12th century.
According to the minister, both scholars dedicated a significant part of their works to the figure of the Prophet Muhammad and contributed to the formation of the spiritual and religious tradition, which, in his opinion, is part of the Moroccan identity, as reported by the Moroccan publication Tanja7. Both scholars were born in the territory of Ceuta before the city came under Spanish rule in 1580 after the unification of the crowns of Spain and Portugal.
Toufiq also referred to the work “Dala’il al-Khayrat” by Imam Mohamed bin Suleiman al-Jazuli — a collection of religious texts and prayers addressed to the Prophet Muhammad. This religious text gained wide popularity in North Africa and other Arab regions. The minister claimed that this work was used to mobilize the population and “raise the spirit” for the purpose of “returning the cities of the Atlantic coast that were under Iberian rule,” according to Tanja7. Based on these historical and religious references, the minister presented Ceuta as part of the tradition associated with Moroccan territory, emphasizing the role of ulemas born in the city as evidence of the historical, cultural, and spiritual connection of Ceuta with Morocco.
Strengthening Morocco’s Demands
Toufiq’s speech came after Moroccan authorities in recent weeks have intensified their demands for Ceuta and Melilla. Thus, the minister raised the territorial issue in relations with Spain during a religious ceremony and in the presence of the country’s highest political and spiritual leadership. Last Friday, Morocco again declared its “historical and geographical right” to the two autonomous cities and called for their “return to the homeland,” as stated by Morocco’s Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi.
This statement on Monday was made in the presence of the Alawite monarch, who also holds the title of “Amir al-Mu’minin,” or Commander of the Faithful. According to the genealogical tradition of the Alawite dynasty, Mohammed VI is the 36th direct descendant of Muhammad and descends from the line of Fatima Az-Zahra, the younger daughter of the Prophet. Leading state and religious events in this dual status, the monarch acts not only as the political leader of the country but also as the guardian of the faith and the supreme religious authority in the country.
Source: 20minutos
