Hassan II of Morocco

**King Hassan II** (Arabic: الحسن الثاني, MSA: (a)l-ḥasan aṯ-ṯānī, Darija: el-ḥasan ett(s)âni); was born on 19 juli, 1929, in Rabat, Morocco. He was part of The Alaouite dynasty. **Hassan II** became the king of Morocco in 1961 and ruled until his death in 1999.

He was the eldest son of King Mohammed V, Sultan, then King of Morocco (1909-1961), and Mohammed V second wife, Lalla Abla bint Tahar (1909-1992). **King Hassan II** played an important rol in shaping modern Morocco and was known for his diplomatic efforts in regional and international affairs.

**King Hassan II** died of natural causes in Rabat on 23 July 1999, at the age of 70.

## Early life and education 
**King Hassan II** received his early education at The Royal Palace School in Rabat. This education was deeply rooted in both traditional Islamic teachings and modern subjects, reflecting both influences that would later characterize his reign.

After completing his primary education. **King Hassan II** attended the Imperial College in Rabat. Here, he excelled in various subjects, particularly in the humanities and social sciences.

In 1974, **King Hassan II** continued his education at the University of Bordeaux in France, where he earned his master's degree in public law. His time in France exposed him to European political ideas and legal systems, which would later influence his approach to governance in Morocco.

## Reign and policies 
When King Mohammed V suddenly died on February 26 1961, **King Hassan II** became king at the age of 32. **King Hassan II**'s reign was marked by both traditional and modern policies. He was known for his strong, authoritarian leadership and was seen as both the Father of the Nation and the Commander of Believers. His reign was a mix of traditional Moroccan practices and Western influences.

### Foreign policy and Western Sahara conflict 
A major challenge during **King Hassan II**'s reign was the Western Sahara conflict, where Morocco and the Polisario Front

#### Green March 
The Green March was a significant event led by **King Hassan II** of Morocco in 1975. During his rule, Morocco became more important internationally, especially by building stronger relationships with Western countries and being active in the Non-Aligned Movement. Despite the controversies and challenges, his contributions to Morocco's stability and development are notable parts of his legacy.

### Hassan II Mosque 
Another important and famous legacy that the **King Hassan II** left behind is The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Morocco. It is an important landmark with a rich history. The idea for the mosque began after the death of King Mohammmed V in 1961. **King Hassan II** wanted to honor his father with a mausoleum that reflected the deep respect that the people had for him. In 1980, during his birthday celebrations, **King Hassan II** expressed his vision for a grant monument in Casablanca. He said:

"I wish Casablanca to be endowed with a large, fine building of which it can be proud of until the end of time... I want to build this mosque on the water, because God's throne is on the water. Therefore, the faithful who go there to pray, to praise the creator on firm soil, can contemplate God's sky and ocean."

The mosque, completed in 1993, is the second largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 14th largest in the world. This mosque is designed by the French artist Michel Pinseau and constructed by the civil engineering group Bouygues. The mosque was built by Moroccan artisans from across the country.

## Family 
**King Hassan II**'s mother was Lalla Abla bint Tahar (1909-1992), and his father was King Mohammed V (1909-1961). He had five sisters and one brother:

# Lalla Fatima Zahra (1929-2014)
# Lalla Aicha (1930-2011)
# Lalla Malika (1933-2009)
# Moulay Abdallah (1935-1983)
# Lalla Amina (1954-2012)

### Children 
**King Hassan II** married Lalla Latifa Hammou in 1961, and they had five children:

# Princess Lalla Meryem (born in 1962)
# King Mohammed VI (born in 1963)
# Princess Lalla Asma (born in 1962)
# Princess Lalla Hasna (born in 1967)
# Prince Moulay Rachid (born in 1970)

**King Hassan II** also had a second wife, Lalla Fatima bint Qaid Amhourok, whom he also married in 1961, but they had no children.

## Related pages 
* List of Kings of Morocco

## References