King Mohammed VI chaired a religious ceremony on Wednesday, after the Al Maghrib (sunset) prayer, to mark Eid Al Mawlid Annabawi. The ceremony was held in Hassan Mosque in Rabat, in the presence of Crown prince Moulay El Hassan, prince Moulay Rachid (King’s brother) and other members of the royal family.
Eid Al Mawlid Annabawi Asharif commemorates the birth of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) which falls on Rabii Al Awal 12 (Islamic calendar or hegira).
After the ceremony, minister of Endowment and Islamic Affairs handed the Monarch a report on the Higher Council of Ulema (religious scholars) as well as on other related local councils.
Subsequently, the sovereign awarded multiple prizes to people excelling in Islamic studies and Sharia, Quran memorization and recitation, and calligraphy.
Earlier in the day, the King had granted his pardon to 742 prisoners who were either detained or serving a suspended sentence.
The first group is made of 528 inmates, including 22 who received pardon over their remaining prison terms, 503 who had their terms reduced, and 3 who had their sentences commuted from life imprisonment to fixed terms.
The second group is composed of 214 prisoners: 50 had pardon over their prison sentences or remaining terms, 8 people benefited from pardon over their imprisonment terms while maintaining fines, 146 people had their fines annulled, 9 received pardon over both their prison terms and fines, and one received pardon over his fine and remaining prison term.
Royal pardon is customary in the North African country to mark religious and national holidays.