Maybe it is hard for non-Moroccans to understand the excitement caused by the birth of princess Lalla Khadija. Few events seem to capture almost all Moroccans with such excitement and people here are openly expressing their joy. For cynical, republican minded, foreigners it does come as a surprise. Within days of the birth people would stop me in the Medina to show me a phot of the princess that they had stored on their mobile phone.
In Fez last night there was a concert and throughout the length and breadth of Morocco musicians have been taking to the streets with drums and trumpets.
On Wednesday, King Mohammed VI, accompanied by crown prince Moulay El Hassan, Prince Moulay Rachid and Prince Moulay Ismail, held the traditional Laakika ceremony to celebrate the birth of princess Lalla Khadija.
The traditional ceremony, known in Morocco as Laakika - celebrated at the seventh day following the birth- started with the ritual immolation of two sheep, invoking God the Almighty and consecrating the name given to the baby.
According to the tradition of the Moroccan Royal Palace, the honour of immolating the first sheep was given to the Minister of Justice Mohamed Bouzoubaa, while the King's Chamberlain Brahim Frej, immolated the second.
Princess Lalla Khadija is the second child of King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Salma and was born on February 28 at the Royal Palace in Rabat. On this occasion, the sovereign VI granted a pardon to 8,836 prison inmates, and decided to commute the sentences rendered against another 24,218 prisoners.
Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
1 comment:
Rarely am I one to criticize, but why does this article not mention Princess Lalla Salma even once?
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