Issuance of a commemorative postage stamp for "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World"

This ceremony was marked by the presence, in particular, of the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohammed Mehdi Bensaïd, the President of the Marrakech Communal Council, Fatima-Ezzahra El Mansouri, the Director General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Salim Mohamed Al-Malik, and the Director General of the Barid Al-Maghrib Group, Amin Benjelloun Touimi.

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The issuance of this postage stamp by the Barid Al-Maghrib Group, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, coincided with the closing of the event "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024", whose activities spanned an entire year. In a statement to MAP, Mr. Bensaïd noted that the issuance of this postage stamp, on the occasion of the designation of "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024", was likely to contribute to the cultural influence of the Ochre City, which is experiencing a civilisational and developmental renaissance thanks to the programmes launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI. In this context, Mr. Bensaïd stressed that this special postage stamp reflected the elegant colours and patterns that characterise the Ochre City, a living symbol of Morocco's history and its unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In this context, he wished to recall that the designation of Marrakech as the capital of culture of the Islamic world for this year was due to its rich culture and civilisational heritage rooted in history, noting that the Ochre City is currently experiencing great development in terms of its infrastructure and basic equipment and the launch of major projects in all fields that contribute to making this city one of the best tourist destinations in the world.

"It is a great honour to meet today in this imperial city, to celebrate together the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp on the occasion of its designation as Capital of Culture of the Islamic World for the year 2024," stressed, for his part, Mr. Benjelloun Touimi. This unique postage stamp, he continued, was issued in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, to serve as a living testimony to the Barid Al-Maghrib Group's commitment to promoting the Kingdom's exceptional cultural heritage and to honouring Moroccan cities with great historical and cultural value. "Through this issue, we continue our tradition of honouring Moroccan cities that have been celebrated by ICESCO," he added.

For his part, Mr. Al-Malik noted that this postage stamp, which "reveals the traits of the uniqueness of the Ochre City," closes in the most beautiful way the event "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024," indicating that this event, placed under the High Patronage of H.M. King Mohammed VI, was marked by the organisation of more than 250 cultural activities. Mr. Al-Malik, on this occasion, read a poem composed by himself, which sings of the captivating beauty of this imperial city.

The stamp "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024" illustrates the majestic Menara Pavilion, surrounded by its basin, its palm trees, and the Atlas Mountains in the background. Its ochre shades and elegant patterns capture the essence of Marrakech, a living symbol of Morocco's history and its fascinating architecture. It should be noted that this new philatelic issue adds to a rich series of issues dedicated by the Barid Al-Maghrib Group to the city of Marrakech, including the special postage stamp dedicated to the mythical Jemaa El Fna Square, in 2017, and the postage stamp that commemorated the anniversary of nine centuries of the founding of Marrakech (1960).