
No other country in North Africa or the Near East has known such a long sultanateâone thousand years!
From the 11th to the 16th century, the first dynasties (Almoravids, Almohads, Marinids) never reigned for more than 150 years; but everything changed in the 16th century with the first Cherifian dynasty, that of the Saadians; the Sultan is a Cherif, descendant of the prophet Muhammad; his authority is the extension of his legitimacy, itself conferred by this regal descent. From then on, the Sultan became the Commander of the Believers (Amir Al Mouminine in Arabic), and recognized as such by his people. During their reign, the Saadians fought on two fronts, against the Portuguese who occupied the region of Agadir (Santa Cruz do Cabo de Aguer) and the Ottomans in the east. They were replaced by the Alaouites (descendants of Ali, the Prophetâs cousin), whose first sovereign was named Moulay Rachid. He is the founder of modern Morocco, with his brother Moulay Ismail, who succeeded him; from this period dates the creation of a strong and structured administration, devoted to the Sultan, the âMakhzenâ.
The current king, Mohammed VI, their distant descendant, has reigned over Morocco since 1999.