ALBAWABA - People interested in Moroccan history were surprised by a valuable historical document written by Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail (reigned 1672-1727). An Austrian company is selling this document for 28 thousand euros in an Austrian exhibition, sparking calls for the Ministry of Culture to get involved and retrieve it.
This old document which found itself in an Austrian exhibition happeened to be a diplomatic message from Sultan Moulay Ismail to the English ambassador Charles Stuart in 1720, on behalf of King George I. It sought to establish a truce with Morocco, including the release of 296 British prisoners and granting access to Moroccan ports for English ships.
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This handwritten letter documents the diplomatic interactions between Morocco and the United Kingdom in the 18th century. Described by the company selling it as a manuscript in Arabic, with eight lines of text bordered by decorative foliage and a calligraphic stamp in green and blue ink with gold embellishments, the letter holds significant historical value.
Professor Ahmed Ishrakhan of the University of Muhammad bin Abdullah in Fez emphasized the letter's significance in manuscript science. He noted that the letter had the royal stamp of Sultan Moulay Ismail and featured sultanic decorations symbolizing peace.
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Further, Professor Mustafa Al-Qadiri from Mohammed V University in Rabat pointed out the importance of the document in reflecting the historical relations between Morocco and Britain, as it does show Sultan Moulay Ismail's aim for the agreement to align with the British ambassador's expectations.
The document also referenced a peace treaty signed in 1721, stipulating the release of British prisoners and granting trade access for Moroccan and British ships. This historical piece sheds light on the diplomatic exchanges between England and the Moroccan rulers, showing the shared history and the efforts put forth between the two nations.
