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Muhammad V of Morocco

Ruler of Morocco (1927–1953; 1955–1961)

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Muhammad was enthroned as sultan upon the death of his father Yusef bin Hassan in 1927. Early in his reign, his approval of the Berber Dahir drew widespread backlash and spurred an upsurge of Moroccan nationalism and opposition to continued French rule. Initially more amenable to colonial authorities, Muhammad grew increasingly supportive of the nationalist movement later on. During World War II he supported the Allies, participated in the 1943 Anfa Conference and has been widely credited with protecting Morocco’s Jewish population during World War II, as he reportedly resisted Vichy efforts to impose anti-Jewish measures and deport Jews, and emphasized that all Moroccan Jews were under his protection as subjects of the crown.

Muhammad became a central figure of the independence cause after the war. In 1947, he delivered a historic speech in Tangier, in which he made an open appeal for Moroccan independence and emphasized the country's ties with the rest of the Arab world. His relationship with the French became increasingly strained afterwards as colonial rule grew more repressive. In 1953, French authorities deposed Muhammad, exiled him to Corsica (later transferring him to Madagascar) and installed his first cousin once removed Muhammad Ben Aarafa as sultan. The deposition sparked active opposition to the French protectorate and two years later, faced with rising violence in Morocco, the French government allowed Muhammad's return. In 1956, he successfully negotiated with France and Spain for Moroccan independence, and in the following year he assumed the title of king. Muhammad died in 1961 at the age of 51 and was succeeded by his eldest son, who took the throne as Hassan II.

Muhammad is often described by historians as a moderate and unifying figure whose leadership style was marked by restraint and a generally gentle and conciliatory approach, contributing to his reputation as a widely respected and principled monarch.

Early life and education

Sidi Muhammad bin Yusef was born on 10 August 1909 in Fes to Sultan Yusef of Morocco and Lalla Yacout, and was his father's third and youngest son. In March 1912, the Treaty of Fes was signed, turning Morocco into a French protectorate after a French invasion from the west and the east, resulting in an eventual capture of the capital, Fes. Yusef was enthroned as sultan by the French in September 1912.

Sidi Muhammad began his education in Fes, inside the palace grounds of his home, qasr al-amami (front palace). There he learned to read and write and received his first lessons in the Quran.

When his father established Rabat as the capital of the kingdom and of the administration, he transferred Sidi Muhammad there, with most of his brothers. There, he continued his studies with private teachers. In Rabat, he continued to study Arabic and the Quran until he became a hafiz. He also studied French under Muhammad Mammeri, who gave him special attention. After he became Sultan, Mammeri remained in his service for a long time as head of protocol.

Sidi Muhammad then continued his education in a public school in Rabat.

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