Utah Moroccans celebrate King Mohammed VI’s 15-year Reign

King Mohammed VI, whose Alaouite family has ruled Morocco since     1666, will celebrate his 15-year reign on July 30, 2014.  During King     Mohammed VI’s reign, he has sponsored key initiatives that affect Utah, the USA, Morocco and other African nations.

King Mohammed VI and Utah: In 2003, Morocco and the Utah National Guard established a State Partnership for Peace, with an annual delegation to Morocco of Guard officers led by Major General Jeff Burton, followed by a visit to Utah by Moroccan military officers. This program utilizes the professional skills of Utah Guard members for training, medical support, humanitarian service, and educational exchanges to address specific needs in Morocco. I have helped coordinate student and professor exchanges with Morocco, with great support from the U of U, BYU, UVU, and USU. LDS Charities does humanitarian work in Morocco. In addition, the Salt Lake City Rotary Club and Zahra Charity are establishing a Neuro-rehabilitation care facility in Marrakesh.  

King Mohammed VI and The United States of America:  In 2006, Morocco and the USA increased their partnership when Morocco became the first country in the region to have a US Free Trade Agreement.  U.S.-Morocco Business Development Conferences and U.S.-Morocco Strategic Dialogues in Washington D.C and Morocco followed this agreement.

King Mohammed VI and Morocco’s social stability: The King oversaw the reform of Morocco’s family law, making it the most liberal family code in the region, opened free national and local elections, created the Royal Institute of Berber Culture, and ensured that the Berber language is taught, to increase national culture unity. While the rest of the region was experiencing Arab Spring turmoil, Moroccans saw peaceful reforms supported by a new Constitution, which included monitoring human rights, equality for women and freedom of religion.  Morocco’s Ambassador to the USA Rachad Bouhlal recently noted that Morocco is stable because the King and government officials listen to the people.

King Mohammed VI and internal growth: In 2013, Morocco’s Honorary Consuls in the USA learned more about the King’s plan to build on Morocco’s strong ties with its neighbors to make Morocco the “Gateway to Africa” for foreign investors. We also learned about Morocco’s successful work to expand its technical structures, including improved highway networks and telecommunications infrastructure, and the Tanger-Med Port, one of the largest ports on the Mediterranean and in Africa.

King Mohammed VI and other African Countries: Morocco has signed cooperation agreements with many African countries to help with everything from agriculture to health care. Ambassador Bouhlal recently noted the King has introduced programs for building apartments for the poor which are supported by private investors.

I am happy to have served as an Honorary Consul for Morocco since 2011 and represent Morocco, King Mohammed VI, and Utah. I enjoy visiting Morocco and working with Moroccan Americans in Utah. I appreciate the support for the Utah-Morocco special relationship from Gov. Herbert, Lt. Gov. Cox, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Ambassador Bouhlal, the Consul Corp of Utah, and King Mohammed VI.

Keith W.  Martin PhD is Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Morocco (2011 - Present) and a member of the U of U College of Education Advancement Board (2011 – Present). He is formerly the Director of International Sales for Martin Door Manufacturing, an Adjunct Professor of International Marketing (U of U and SLCC), and a member of the District Export Council.  He was International Person of the Year for the World Trade Association (1996).