Here follows the full text of the message read out by Abdehak Lamrini, Kingdom's historiographer and spokesperson of the royal palace:

 Praise be to God     May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin


 Ladies and Gentlemen,

 It gives me great pleasure to send this message to the participants in the opening ceremony of this session of Moulay Ali Cherif Autumn University, which is devoted to the reign of my revered grandfather, His late Majesty King Mohammed V - may he rest in peace. I have followed with keen interest the University’s successive sessions, ever since its inception by my venerated father, His late Majesty King Hassan II - blessed be his soul.

 Having set up its headquarters in this town, which is steeped in history and which is also the cradle of the Alawite Dynasty, the University has held regular academic conferences on the history of Morocco, and especially on the Kings of the Alawite Dynasty, who ruled this nation at times of great historical significance. The University focuses on the circumstances and contexts of major events, addressing both the positive and the negative impacts they had on shaping the Moroccan identity as well as on national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 The importance of these academic sessions is not limited to scholarly considerations – essential though they may be. They are particularly significant in view of the need to introduce current and future generations to the history of Morocco, and to make young people realize that what has been accomplished with respect to the country’s unity, stability and progress is the result of the selflessness and untiring, dedicated efforts exerted by my glorious ancestors and the nation’s forces, as well as the immense sacrifices they made to rise to various challenges.

 The King and the people of this nation are duty-bound to continue strengthening the foundations of the Moroccan state and to preserve our national unity and territorial integrity, in line with our firm, unwavering commitment to the country’s immutable, sacred values. In doing so, we seek guidance and inspiration not only from the lofty values upheld by my ancestors and from the country’s unshakeable will in this respect, but also from the symbiosis between the throne and the people, in order to fulfill the Moroccan nation’s aspirations for further progress and prosperity.

 I am particularly proud of all that the University has achieved thanks to the successive sessions it has held and I am keen to continue supporting it, all the more so as its thought-provoking seminars link Morocco’s past to its present. These meetings also serve to raise young people’s awareness about the interconnectedness between the various chapters of our nation’s history - both ancient and modern - and enhance our country’s confidence in the future, which is rooted in our glorious past.

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

 Moulay Ali Cherif University is holding its seventeenth session today thanks to the efforts of the Committee entrusted by my father - may he rest in peace - with the task of ensuring the academic supervision of the University’s seminars and sessions, and also thanks to the work of organizers at government and local levels.

 I should like, in this respect, to commend the praiseworthy efforts exerted over the past twenty years to make sure the University’s sessions are held on a regular basis. I want to pay a special tribute to the Ministry of Culture and to the academic committee for seeking to enhance the role and influence of the University’s sessions, and for opening up to different parts of the Kingdom.

 This is a source of satisfaction because in any national endeavor, the conditions for success must be met, making sure the citizens and the stakeholders concerned are involved in the development process I am spearheading. This approach must be observed in all major national projects, whether they concern field activities, academic work or the media.

 I commend you on choosing the reign of His late Majesty King Mohammed V - may he rest in peace - as the theme for this session. His reign was a pivotal period in the nation’s history and in the struggle for freedom and independence. It was a major historical era whose chapters were written in our martyrs’ blood – a time of great sacrifice made by our valorous people, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed V - may he rest in peace - the hero of the liberation and the symbol of ultimate sacrifice.

 I am sure you realize that the study of this glorious, eventful period in our history will be different from that of any other era. It is a particularly complex period which was characterized by the interplay and impact of major global events – an era which was also rich in terms of laying the foundations for modern Morocco.

 With this in mind, I hope the work of the scholars and historians participating in this session will highlight the great significance of this period as well as the many events and facts underpinning it. It is important for the extensive historical research carried out on the subject over the past fifty years to be put to good use.

 I am sure the distinguished academics and researchers realize the need to base their research on solid scientific foundations, using various methods and means to write history, making sure as many people as possible can access and benefit from their work.

 There should be as much attention given to the documenting and recording of events as to the preparation of lectures, presentations and debates. Similarly, when addressing historical facts, we should adopt a broad approach and not limit ourselves to a specific perspective. Hence, the recording of historical events, documentation work, the publishing of results and the role of the media are all complementary means that allow us to remain in touch with history without constraints as to time or place.
Pondering today on chapters of our glorious history, you will no doubt derive inspiration from historical records which attest to the Kingdom’s longstanding, uninterrupted existence. This means investigation and verification work must continue, together with efforts to preserve the material and non-material records of our cultural heritage. This part of the Kingdom, where Rissani, the cradle of the Alawite Dynasty, is situated, is home to a rich cultural heritage, with many ksours, Kasbahs, treasures and enduring memories.

 These university sessions should serve as an annual platform for the discussion of ways and means to safeguard the various aspects of this heritage, and to provide the appropriate cultural resources needed in regions where they are lacking.  They should also provide an opportunity for the development of well-thought-out projects in various sectors to respond to the pressing needs of the citizens.

 Thus, the past can inspire action to shape the future, allowing us at the same time to build on today’s creativity. The better our understanding of the principles of historical continuity, the greater our chances of shaping the promising future we yearn for.

 Ladies and Gentlemen,

 I would like to commend you, in advance, for the academic efforts you will make to highlight some of the brightest and richest chapters of our national history in terms of the achievements and sacrifices made to build a unified, independent Moroccan state. I look forward to your academic findings and hope this University will become the venue for even more prestigious academic conferences and contribute to laying down development projects for the benefit of our citizens in this cherished part of the Kingdom.

 Welcome to this important forum. I wish you every success and hope this session will usher in a new era for the University.

 Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.