HASSAN II OF MOROCCO

Hassan II of Morocco also known as Mawlay al-Hassan bin Mohammed bin Yusef al-Alawi was born on July 9, 1929, in Rabat, at the Dar al-Makhzen, during the French protectorate in Morocco. As the eldest son of Sultan Mohammed V and his second wife, Lalla Abla bint Tahar, he belonged to the esteemed Alawi dynasty. His early education in Islamic sciences took place at the Dar al-Makhzen in Fez before he transitioned to the Royal College in Rabat, where he studied both Arabic and French. Notably, he was taught mathematics by Mehdi Ben Barka for four years, eventually graduating with a baccalaureate in June 1948.

Hassan pursued higher education at the Rabat Institute of Higher Studies, a division of the University of Bordeaux, where he earned a law degree in 1951 and a master's in public law in 1952. He briefly served in the French Navy on the cruiser Jeanne d'Arc and began a doctoral program at the Faculty of Law in Bordeaux when his family was exiled in 1953. Upon ascending the throne, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Bordeaux on June 25, 1963.

Hassan’s political journey began early; in 1943, he attended the Casablanca Conference alongside his father, meeting prominent leaders like President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. This exposure shaped his political ideology, and he developed a strong sense of nationalism, expressing profound resentment towards French colonialism. In 1953, Hassan and his family were exiled to Corsica, which fueled anti-colonial protests back home. They later moved to Madagascar before returning to Morocco on November 16, 1955. Following Morocco's independence, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces in April 1956 and played a significant role in quelling rebel militias during the Rif revolt.

After the death of his father in 1961, Hassan became King of Morocco and inherited the role of prime minister. He was instrumental in drafting the first Moroccan constitution in 1962, establishing the country as a constitutional monarchy. His reign was marked by political unrest and a notorious human rights record, with many dissenters jailed or killed during the tumultuous years known as the "years of lead."

Hassan survived two assassination attempts in the early 1970s, strengthening his resolve to maintain power. The first attempt occurred on July 10, 1971, during his birthday celebration, when a group of army cadets attempted a coup at his palace. The second attempt involved a deadly air attack on his plane in 1972, which he narrowly escaped. These events reinforced his grip on power and led to increased security measures.

In terms of personal life, Hassan married several times, with his most notable marriage being to Lalla Latifa, who bore him several children, including his successor, King Mohammed VI. Hassan’s reign was characterized by a blend of tradition and modernity, as he navigated Morocco through significant political changes while maintaining strong ties with Western powers, especially the United States and France. His foreign policy was pragmatic, allowing Morocco to balance relationships with both Western nations and the Eastern bloc during the Cold War.

Hassan II passed away on July 23, 1999, leaving a complex legacy shaped by his efforts in nation-building, regional stability, and a controversial human rights record.

Reference:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hassan_II_of_Morocco