فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The funeral of the late Mohamed Benaïssa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Culture, was held on Sunday in the city of Assilah. After the Asr and funeral prayers at the Grand Mosque of Assilah, the deceased’s body was transported to the mausoleum of the Aïssaouia Zaouïa in the heart of the old medina, where he was buried in the presence of his family, relatives, and friends.
The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including the Secretary-General of the Government, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Equipment and Water, and the Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment, and Skills. Other personalities from the political, cultural, and artistic scenes, as well as representatives of local authorities and political parties, were also present.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI had sent a message of condolences and sympathy to the family of the late Mohamed Benaïssa, expressing his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to all his relatives and friends in Morocco and abroad. He prayed to the Almighty to grant them patience and solace.
In his message, His Majesty highlighted that the deceased, may God have mercy on him, was a competent statesman and seasoned diplomat who demonstrated great skill in the various high-ranking positions he held with dedication and loyalty, whether as Minister of Culture, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Washington, or as a parliamentary or communal elected official. His Majesty also recalled with great respect the late Benaïssa’s high human qualities, open-mindedness, intelligence, and passion for culture. He noted that the deceased had made it his mission to promote the cultural and artistic influence of Assilah, his hometown, dedicating his efforts to its development and enhancing its cultural and artistic prominence on both national and international levels, particularly through founding and managing the Assilah Forum, setting a sincere example of responsible citizenship.
After completing his secondary education in Cairo, the late Benaïssa worked in media as a journalist for “Radio Africa Morocco” in Tangier. He later held high-ranking positions both in Morocco and abroad, including serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2007, Morocco’s Ambassador to the United States (1993-1999), and Minister of Culture (1985-1992). He also served as a member of the House of Councillors and President of the Assilah Municipal Council.
Benaïssa was widely known for his deep passion for culture, with his name closely associated with the Assilah Cultural Festival, which over the years has become an essential meeting point for scholars, experts, and artists from around the world to discuss contemporary issues in various fields.
