Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri facts for kids
Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri (1908–1962) was an important person in the royal court of Morocco when it was a protectorate. A protectorate means another country (like Spain or France) had some control over it. His name was also written in many ways, like Si Hamed Ben Baxir Escuri or Sidi Ahmed Bel Bashir Haskouri.
After Morocco became independent in 1955, Ahmed Belbachir helped bring together the parts of Morocco that were previously controlled by different countries. He then became a Moroccan diplomat, which means he represented Morocco in other countries. He was sent to the United Kingdom and worked to help Algeria become independent too. People remember Belbachir as someone who was very kind and gave a lot to charity.
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Family Background
Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri was born in Marrakesh, Morocco. His family was important and had connections to the royal family. His father was a military governor in Marrakesh before Morocco was controlled by other countries.
Mohammed Daoud, a famous teacher, taught both Ahmed Belbachir and the Khalifa (a special leader in Spanish Morocco) when they were growing up in the palace in Tétouan.
Later, in 1950, Ahmed Belbachir married Lalla Zoubeida Raissouni. Her family was also very important in northern Morocco. This marriage helped Belbachir gain more political influence.
Understanding the Protectorate
Morocco was divided into French and Spanish Morocco during this time. These were called "protectorates," not "colonies." This meant that while France and Spain had power, Morocco still had its own ruler, the Sultan.
The Algeciras Conference decided that Spain and France would share control over Morocco. The agreement said that if one country left, the other had to leave too.
In Spanish Morocco, the Sultan appointed a representative called the Khalifa. The Khalifa had a lot of power, almost like a ruler himself. He even had his own flag, special awards, and a song. People called him "sidna," which means "sire." Spanish officials often treated the Khalifa like a head of state. For example, important leaders like Marshal Philippe Pétain and General Francisco Franco would visit him or parade with him. The Spanish government even gave the Khalifa a very high award, the necklace of the Order of Charles III, which is usually given only to heads of state.
How Belbachir Gained Influence
Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri worked hard to make sure the Khalifa's power and independence were respected. Over time, Spanish officials realized that they needed to talk directly with Belbachir. He gained enough freedom to make his own decisions in some situations.
For example, Belbachir decided to give an award to Mustafa el-Nahhas, the first leader of the Arab League, on behalf of the Khalifa. Also, another important person from the Arab League, Dr. Shuqairi, visited Belbachir in Tetuan. Belbachir also gave Shuqairi a medal from the Khalifa. These actions helped Spanish Morocco gain respect in the Arab world.
Belbachir also made sure to keep the Sultan in French Morocco informed about what was happening in Spanish Morocco. This helped keep good relations between the two parts of Morocco. The Sultan usually agreed with the Khalifa's actions because the Khalifa had been given a lot of power.
Why He's Not Widely Known
Even though Ahmed Belbachir was very important, his story isn't always found in major history books about Morocco or the world.
One reason is that Spanish historians during Franco's time didn't want to write about a Moroccan nationalist who worked against Spanish interests. However, his name appears often in Spanish historical records about Spanish Morocco.
Some Moroccan historians also found it difficult to give credit to someone who worked with the Spanish occupiers. But it's important to remember that Belbachir was born when Morocco was already under foreign control. Someone had to fill that role from the Moroccan side.
Also, sometimes general terms like "the government" or "the Khalifa" were used instead of giving Belbachir direct credit for his decisions. But many people understood that Belbachir was the main decision-maker behind the Khalifa.
Political Beliefs
Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri was against the Nazis and communism. He supported the Moroccan monarchy but also had modern ideas. He believed in progress and working with different groups.
He was known as the "Éminence grise" of the Khalifa of Spanish Morocco. This means he was a powerful person who made important decisions behind the scenes. Historians like Abdelmajid Benjelloun and Jean Wolf have used this term to describe him.
Belbachir was the main link between Sultan Mohammed V in French Morocco and the Khalifa in Spanish Morocco. He was also the only person who negotiated between General Franco (the leader of Spain) and the Khalifa. Spanish newspapers often reported on his role.
He was also able to communicate with older politicians from the 19th century who were still active in the 1950s. This helped keep balance and unity between the two protectorates.
Belbachir also played a key role in the final part of Abd el-Krim's exile. Abd el-Krim was a famous Moroccan rebel leader. Belbachir helped negotiate his return, satisfying all sides.
He was a politician who could talk to and even financially support all the different political parties during the colonial period, including the Istiqlal, Reformist, Unionist, and Council parties.
Belbachir also dealt with fifteen different Spanish High Commissioners, who were representatives of the Spanish government. Many of them were generals, including General Franco himself at one point. Each new High Commissioner had to inform Belbachir of their arrival to start a new discussion.
During the Spanish Civil War, Belbachir was the first person to express a religious reason for opposing the war, doing so in the name of the Khalifa. This made the Khalifa's name part of the historical record for this stance.
His Roles in the Khalifa's Government
Ahmed Belbachir held many important positions during the Spanish occupation. He was the Chief of Staff for the Khalifa, the head of the Khalifa's personal office, and the Director General of the Khalifa's Secretariat. He was also the Secretary General of the Khalifa's Privy Council and the Secretary General of the makhzen (the Moroccan government).
Even for roles he didn't officially hold, the Khalifa trusted Belbachir to act on his behalf. American writers like Dmitri Kessel and Paul Bowles called him the "advisor to the Khalifa." A Spanish newspaper in 1949 even called him the "chamberlain," meaning he was in charge of receiving important officials from Franco's government.
Because he held so many high positions, had a background in government, and was educated in Spain, he became very powerful in Moroccan politics. Historian Abdelmajid Benjelloun described Belbachir as the main architect and supporter of the Khalifa's government and the key person for communicating with Spanish officials.
Later Work and Legacy
Belbachir used his influence in Morocco to create and improve social programs and education. He worked with the Spanish High Commissioners on these projects. He also helped preserve Andalusian music in Morocco.
He worked to build good relationships between Morocco and both European and Arab countries, even during difficult times like World War II. During the war, he used the Spanish government to help Jewish people escape the Nazis by offering them visas and passports from Spanish Morocco.
Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri passed away in London in 1962.
See also
In Spanish: Ahmed Belbachir Haskouri para niños
