This religious evening was marked by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran and panegyrics of Prophet Sidna Mohammed (PBUH).

On this occasion, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, delivered a speech before HM the King in which he reviewed the activities of the Supreme Council of Ulema and local Ulema Councils, before handing over to the Sovereign the report relating to these activities.

In his speech, the Minister indicated that the institution of the Ulema is one of the levers enabling Imarat Al-Mouminine to accomplish its mission in terms of protecting religion, noting that the action of this institution has focused, over the last two decades, on preserving the constants and supervising the exercise of religious worship.

Toufiq also stressed that the Ulema institution, which last year worked to strengthen its communication function “Tabligh”, has ensured to involve all the players concerned by this function, notably Ulema and Alimats, Preachers, Imams, Morchidins and Morchidats, and the various players involved in audiovisual religious communication.

This institution also works to adapt the various modes of communication, in particular to preaching courses in mosques, continuing education courses for Imams and the training program of the Mohammed VI Institute of Imams, Morchidins and Morchidats, added the Minister.

He underlined that the Council of Ulema is aware of the importance of strengthening its cooperation, on an international level, with the Moroccan Council of Ulema for Europe and the various sections of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema.

Afterwards, HM the King, Commander of the Faithful awarded the Mohammed VI Award for Islamic Thought and Studies (Prize of Merit and Tribute) to Mohamed Balouali, from the city of Oujda.

The Prize is awarded annually to reward eminent scientists and encourage them to carry out research in the field of Islamic studies, in accordance with the teachings of the noble Shariah, which advocates the pursuit of knowledge and urges its proper use.

HM the King was then greeted by Jamaleddine Abdessalam Zouir, from Libya, who received from the hands of the Sovereign the Mohammed VI International Prize for memorization, declamation and exegesis of the Holy Koran.

The Sovereign also presented the Mohammed VI International Award of Quran psalmody with memorization of five Hizbs to Ahmad Salim Mkwewa, from the United Republic of Tanzania.

HM the King, Commander of the Faithful, also awarded the Mohammed VI Prize for Tribute to Moroccan Calligraphic Art to Fayçal Ennasri, from the city of Tiflet, and the Mohammed VI Prize for Excellence in Moroccan Calligraphic Art to Zakaria Msselek, from the city of Salé.

Subsequently, the Sovereign awarded the Mohammed VI Prize for Moroccan Decorative Art on Paper (Tribute Prize) to Abdelfattah Ait Birkan of Marrakech, and the Mohammed VI Prize for Moroccan Decorative Art on Paper (Excellence Award) to Ismail Lafrihi of Meknes.

HM the King also presented the Mohammed VI Prize for Arabic Literary Art [Al Horoufia] (Tribute Prize) to El Maati Hassari of Bejaâd, and the Mohammed VI Prize for Arabic Literary Art [Al Horoufia] (Excellence Prize) to Mohamed Cherkaoui of Fez.

HM the King was also greeted by the members of the jury for the Mohammed VI Award for Islamic Thought and Studies, Professors Mohamed Yssef, Mohamed Kettani, Idriss Khalifa, Chahid El Bouchikhi, Ahmed Chaouki Binebine, Ahmed Chahlane, Abdelhamid El Alami, Driss Ben Daouia, Khadija Abou Zaid, Farida Zemrou and Yacine Houhoud (Rapporteur).

The religious evening was attended by the Head of Government, the Speakers of the two Houses of Parliament, Advisors to His Majesty the King, members of the government, presidents of constitutional bodies, senior officers of the General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces, members of the Islamic diplomatic corps accredited to Rabat, as well as several Ulema and other civil and military personalities.

The celebration of this religious evening by HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, is in line with the tradition observed by His illustrious ancestors who have constantly taken care to commemorate the anniversary of the coming to the World of the Messenger of Mercy, Their Ancestor the Prophet Sidna Mohammed, may Peace and Prayer be upon him.

An anniversary that marks the blossoming of the lights of guidance for Humanity, thanks to the message carried by the Seal of the Prophets, to spread the high virtues and values of justice and recommend good deeds so that all humans live in peace and understanding.