فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Episode 1 Recap: Fez, Capital of Defiance – Roots of Resistance Before the Storm
In our first episode, “Fez, Capital of Defiance: Roots of Resistance Before the Storm,” we explored how Fez, throughout the ages, has been a stronghold of patriotism. We looked at how the spirit of resistance was woven into its social and cultural fabric, and how the seeds of defiance against foreign intervention were already growing before colonial powers imposed their dominance.
Today, we dive into the heart of the event – those difficult days of April 1912 – when Fez became a battlefield of heroism and sacrifice, and the blood of its sons mingled with the soil of the homeland in defense of freedom and dignity.
A Stab at Sovereignty: The Ill-Fated Treaty of Protection
On March 30, 1912, Morocco fell under the weight of the French Protectorate Treaty. That day was a deep and painful stab to Moroccan sovereignty – a defining moment that marked the beginning of a dark chapter in the nation’s history.
In Fez – the spiritual and scholarly capital and the political decision-making center at the time – the news of the treaty was met with a mix of shock, outrage, and national humiliation. The people of Fez, from all walks of life, felt that their dignity had been trampled, their sanctities endangered, and that their proud, independent homeland had become an easy prey for colonizers.
Silence was not an option for a city that had taught generations the meaning of pride and defiance.
Fez Rises Up: The Sacred Volcano of Rage Erupts
Less than a month after the treaty’s signing, Fez exploded in a historic uprising. On April 17, 1912, a popular revolt broke out – what history now refers to as “The Bloody Days of Fez.” This was no spontaneous outburst. It was a powerful cry against oppression and a clear embodiment of the Fassi people’s categorical rejection of colonization.
It all began with Moroccan soldiers (askars) who refused to obey new orders and endured repeated insults from their French officers. The people of Fez quickly joined them – artisans left their workshops, merchants abandoned their stalls, scholars and students emerged from their mosques and schools, and ordinary citizens poured into the streets.
They formed a united front. Though poorly armed and ill-equipped, they possessed something far stronger: faith in the justice of their cause and a burning determination to defend their homeland to the last breath.
With bare chests and faithful hearts, they faced a powerful and organized colonial army. In every alley and neighborhood, they wrote epic tales of courage and valor.
Colonial narratives tried to paint the uprising as mere chaos instigated by “savages” and “fanatics,” but the truth – as recorded in national history – is that it was a heroic act of popular resistance, a legitimate defense of land, honor, and identity. The people of Fez were fighting for their right to exist as a free and sovereign nation.
Epics of Heroism – Rivers of Blood
The narrow alleys of old Fez, the public squares like Bab Boujloud and Talâa, and the area around Sherarda Barracks turned into battlegrounds. The people of Fez – men and women alike – displayed extraordinary courage and sacrifice. One martyr fell after another, and the sacred soil of Fez was soaked with their pure blood.
With unmatched bravery, the resistance faced the enemy’s bombs and bullets, standing firm against efforts to storm homes and neighborhoods.
But the colonizer’s brutal military machine was overwhelming in number and force. The French army retaliated with merciless violence – shooting protesters at random, bombing residential areas, and torturing detainees. They wanted to make an example of Fez – to instill fear in the hearts of any who dared resist. What they left was destruction, horror, and rivers of blood flowing through the city’s streets – eternal witnesses to the sacrifice and the tragedy.
The Cost of Freedom: Martyrs, Wounds, and Ruin
The price of resistance was heavy. Hundreds of Fassi martyrs fell, thousands were wounded, and many were imprisoned. The city was not spared – homes were burned, and properties looted.
Yet despite all the pain and suffering, despite the savagery of repression, the will of the people of Fez did not break. The flame of resistance remained alive in their hearts. They proved to the world that love for the homeland is priceless and that freedom is worth every sacrifice.
The blood of the martyrs of April 1912 became the fuel that sustained the fire of resistance in Fez and across Morocco for decades to come. The colonizers may have occupied the land, but they could never conquer the hearts and minds of a people as proud and resilient as the Moroccan nation.
Episode Message: “With Our Souls and Blood, We Sacrifice for You, O Homeland”
The events of April 1912 in Fez are perhaps the truest embodiment of the immortal slogan: “With our souls and blood, we sacrifice for you, O homeland.”
The people of Fez gave their lives and blood for their nation, offering some of the most inspiring examples of heroism and selflessness. Their memory lives on in the nation’s book of honor, and their stories of bravery will forever be a source of inspiration for generations to come.
Coming Next:
In the next episode, God willing, we will highlight some of the shining faces of Fez’s resistance, and shed light on the roles played by different segments of society in this legendary stand.
Stay tuned with Fes News.
Source: Fes News Media
