Moroccan King Performs Eid Prayer, Pardons 761 People

King Mohammed VI. MAP
King Mohammed VI. MAP
TT

Moroccan King Performs Eid Prayer, Pardons 761 People

King Mohammed VI. MAP
King Mohammed VI. MAP

King Mohammed VI accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and Prince Moulay Rachid, performed on Tuesday the Eid Al Adha prayer.

Given the preventative health measures, the King performed the prayer without giving a speech.

After the prayer, the King performed the sacrifice ritual. The Imam sacrificed the second sheep.

On this occasion, King Mohammed VI granted pardons to 761 people, the Moroccan Justice Ministry said in a statement.

While only 658 of the pardoned individuals are in prison, all 761 have been convicted by Moroccan courts for violating laws within the country, said a royal press statement.

Of those imprisoned, the King ordered the immediate cancellation of the sentences of 639 detainees. He also granted clemency to 14 prisoners serving life sentences. These inmates now have reduced sentences as a result of the Royal directive.



Syria’s Sharaa Congratulates Trump, Looks Forward to Improving Relations 

A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)
A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)
TT

Syria’s Sharaa Congratulates Trump, Looks Forward to Improving Relations 

A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)
A handout picture released by Syria's transitional government shows the country's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa waiting for the arrival of Spain's foreign minister at the presidential palace in Damascus on January 16, 2025. (Syria's Transitional Government / AFP)

Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa congratulated US President Donald Trump on his inauguration in a statement on Monday, saying he is looking forward to improving relations between the two countries.

"The past decade has brought immense suffering to Syria, with the conflict devastating our nation and destabilizing the region. We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region".

The US, Britain, the European Union and others imposed tough sanctions on Syria after a crackdown by ousted President Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy protests in 2011 that spiraled into civil war.

In early January, Washington issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months in an effort to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.

Syria welcomed the move, but has urged a complete lifting of sanctions to support its recovery.