Princely Activities
Wednesday 20 November 2019

HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa Chairs in Los Angeles Gala Dinner Honoring the Alawite Dynasty as a ‘Dynasty of Tolerance’

HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa Chairs in Los Angeles Gala Dinner Honoring the Alawite Dynasty as a ‘Dynasty of Tolerance’

Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa chaired, Tuesday night in Los Angeles, a gala dinner that honors the Alawite Dynasty as a "Dynasty of Tolerance", organized by the Em Habanim Sephardic Congregation and Community Center.

Upon her arrival at the ceremony, Her Royal Highness was greeted, in particular, by the Moroccan ambassador to Washington, Lalla Jumala Alaoui, HM the King's roving ambassador Serge Berdugo and members of the gala dinner organizing committee.

Afterwards, the national anthems of the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America were played.

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa then read the Proclamation of the Morocco Day on November 19 in Los Angeles in recognition of the Royal Commitment to tolerance and peace before handing it to Her Royal Highness.

HRH Princess Lalla Hasnaa then handed, in the name of His Majesty the King, the businessman Maurice Marciano the commander insignia of the Throne Medal (Wissam Al Arch).

Her Royal Highness also handed Wissam Al Arch of third class (officer) to Jack Rimokh, Businessman, Sidney Chriqui, Founding President of the Em Habanim Congregation, and Rabbi Joshua Bitton, Spiritual Leader of the Hebanim Sephardic Congregation.

Maurice Marciano is a renowned businessman. Following his retirement in 2012, he has joined the board of directors of the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Born in Fez, Jack Rimokh has created one of the largest leather goods companies in the world. He is one of the most respected leaders in this sector.

Sidney Chriqui was born in Casablanca and studied at the “Ecole Industrielle et Commerciale”. In 1948, he immigrated to the United States where he worked for the Corps of Engineers. He has a prestigious career of 40 years in executive positions in four continents.

Chriqui, who is one of the founders of the Em Habanim Sephardic congregation in 1974, is also a poet and writer. He is the author of a book on Morocco.

Born in Ouazzane and living in Los Angeles for more than 45 years, Rabbi Joshua Bittan is a fluent speaker in four languages. He combines a traditional Sephardic/Moroccan point of view with a thorough knowledge of the realities and challenges of modern society.

In statements following the presentation of the decorations, the recipients expressed their deep emotion and great pride at being decorated by His Majesty, while expressing their deep gratitude to HM King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, for the crucial role of the Sovereign in the protection of the Jewish community of Morocco, the preservation of the Judeo-Moroccan heritage and the promotion of tolerance and living together.

Afterwards, a 'Golden Book’ was presented to Her Royal Highness. The book consists of an album of testimonies of the Moroccan Jewish community that perpetuates the Moroccan heritage in the United States, as well as the statements of the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California recognizing HM King Mohammed VI and his Nation as tolerant and anti-Semitic fighters in North Africa.

Her Royal Highness then chaired a gala dinner to honor the Alawite Dynasty as a "Dynasty of Tolerance".

The evening featured musical performances by Amine Debbi, Michel Abikhzer, Moshe Louk and Mohamed Ba Jaddoub and a reading of poems by Sidney Chriqui.

Albert Ifrah, president of the Habanim Sephardic congregation, and David Suissa, editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal, spoke on this occasion to express their pride in their Moroccan heritage and their attachment to their country of origin, Morocco.

They also expressed their esteem and consideration for HM King Mohammed VI for his vision and leadership on the international scene in promoting peace, tolerance and interreligious dialogue.

MAP 20 November 2019