Zionists in Moroccan History

 

Sir Moses Montefiore
brother-in-law to the famed Rothschild

Before continuing I insist in making the following declaration:
As of today I respected everybody through all my life and therefore I am part of everyone, which means I have no difference in race nor religion whatsoever.
The only law I believe in is God’s law as well as freedom and equality for everybody on this earth.
However, through my descend I have inherited a very serious ancient unsettled problem from a group called

“The Learned Elders of Zion”, Zionists – so-called “Jews”

This group did not only cause a lot of harm to us – no, they also caused lots of harm to many innocent Jewish-, Christian-, Moslem God believers as well as to various other religious God believers around the world. These Learned Elders of Zion have done this to satisfy their immense ambitions for controlling the entire worlds wealth which they need for their

New World Order

 

Today, you are all witnessing of what is going on in Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan and you all know that Syria and Iran will be their next targets if you – the people will not stop this. Do not forget the “exodus” from Ur = Sumer and their ca. 4000 year old interest in this region!

 

Part I

For a better understanding of the situation please read: The Corcos family – one of many merchant families of the Sultan Cf: Sidney S. Corcos, The Corcos family: Spain-Morocco-Jerusalem.

Courtesy of Mr. Sidney S. Corcos, Jerusalem

The Corcos family saga began a thousand years ago in Spain and it is regarded as one of the oldest Sephardi Jewish families. As early as the 10th century, one finds the names Corcos, Carcosa and Carcause in Spain. According to family tradition, the family originated in the town of Corcos (Valadolid province in Castile (Spain). This town still exists but on our visit there, no trace was found of a Jewish presence. It is known that there was a family by the name of Carcosa in Catalonia in the 13th and 14th centuries. Some researchers assume that the name and family originated in the town of Carcassonne (Southern France).

The first member of the family whose activity is known was Abraham Corcos who lived in Castile in the second half of the 13th century and was reputed to be a distinguished scholar. One of his sons Salomon, a resident of Avila, wrote a commentary on a work of astronomy called "Yesod olam" (Foundation of the World) in 1332. He was a pupil of Rabbi Yehuda Ben Asher.

With the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, the family was dispersed to various countries, of which Portugal (Yehuda Ben Abraham Corcos) and Italy (David Corcos, founder of the Italian branch.) . In Rome they served as community leaders, dayyanim and rabbis for many generations. One of the most prominent was Solomon Corcos, appointed as a dayyan in 1620. He was famous outside Italy as a great scholar, an accomplished judge and an outstanding rabbi. One of his descendants, Manoah Hizkiyahu Haim Corcos, was also a well-known rabbi appointed in 1702. Interesting personalities in the Italian branch included Felix Corcos, an Italian writer and Victor Matteo Corcos, a well-known artist from Livorno. He lived and worked in Paris from 1880-1886 and his paintings were exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in Rome. There are still Corcos family members living in Italy and some of them immigrated to Israel.

In France, Fernand Corcos made his reputation as a lawyer and a devoted Zionist who visited the Yishuv in Palestine in the twenties and thirties. He lectured on the subject and published books such as “Israel on the Land of the Bible” (1923) about his visit to Palestine and encounters with leaders of the Yishuv, “Travelling across Jewish Palestine”(1925) and ”Zionist in Action”.

Family members who reached England from 1699 became successful merchants: Yehiel Corcos (d. 1733) and Joshua Ben Joseph Corcos. Members of the family also prospered in international trade in Holland from 1666.

For generations, the family remained faithful to Judaism, and naturally some of them reached the Holy Land. Joseph Corcos, who lived in the first half of the 16th century, was a Spanish born Talmudist and served as rabbi in Egypt and Jerusalem. He was one of the leading scholars of his time and the author of a commentary of Maimonides' great work Mishneh Torah ,which was first published in 1757 and much later (1958 and 1966) in Jerusalem.His brother Isaac was also rabbi in Egypt and in Jerusalem.

Other family members reached Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Those who came to Morocco founded that branch of the family and were the most successful of all the branches. They left a deep mark on the history of Moroccan Jewry. For about 500 years, they were an integral part of the social, economic and political history of Morocco. This is the branch to which my own family belongs and which is described in this article.

The Corcos family tree can be traced back to the 1492 expulsion of the Jews from Spain. It begins with Rabbi Joshua Corcos (d. after 1552), who came to Fez and became one of the spiritual leaders of the “refugee” community. In 1540 and 1552 he was one of those who drafted the “Castile Exiles Regulations” which determined the social and religious life of the entire Moroccan Jewish community. He married Mira Even-Sumbal, daughter of a well-known leader and rabbi, Nachman Even-Sumbal. Another family member, Rabbi Joseph Corcos, born in Fez in the second half of the 18th century, was “called” to serve as rabbi and head of the Jewish community in Gibraltar. There he published an important Kabbalist work entitled "Shi'ur Koma" (God's Stature) (Livorno, l811), based on the Zohar. Abraham Corcos, also from Fez (d. ca. 1575), was appointed a dayyan in Tunis and his grave still attracts pilgrims.

The first well-known descendant of Joshua Corcos was the son of Yehuda (d. in Tetuan 1662) Mas'oud-Joshua (d. in Safi 1757), a Talmud commentator, financial adviser and Court banker for Sultan Moulay Ismail, one of the most important Morroccan Sultans. At the Sultan's request, he moved to Marrakech, where the family played an important role in the community and the economy of the city. Mas'oud's great-grandson was a prosperous merchant and the leader of Marrakech Jewry (d. in Marrakech 1881). An prominent member of this branch was Joshua Corcos (1832-1929) who succeeded his father in the leadership of Marrakech Jewry. Like him, he was a successful banker and financial adviser to the last great Sultan of Morocco, before the period of the French Protectorate. Moulay Hassan did everything he could to maintain Morocco's financial independence, in contrast to his son, who opened the country to Europe thereby curtailing the traditional function of Jews as financial advisers. Joshua enjoyed the protection of three Sultans: Moulay Hassan, Moulay Abdel-Aziz and Moulay Hafid, and established ties with the El-Glaoui powerful family, which was very influential in the Marrakech area and became its financial adviser.*Our addition: When Thami el Glaoui died in 1956 he left bank accounts in Geneva, Paris & London. Ref: Time Magazine

Joshua Corcos was an outstanding personality, nicknamed “the millionaire of the Mellach” because of his financial aid to the community. He maintained a modest attire ,was loved and esteemed by both Jews and Moslem, and on the day of his funeral in 1929, all activity in Marrakech was interrupted and thousands attended the funeral. Marrakech has named a street after the Corcos family in appreciation of its contribution to the city over many generations. His son Mordecai Corcos (Marrakech, 1885-1944) inherited his role as president of the community and head of the family business from 1930-1938, but he lacked the personality and energy of his father. His daughter Freha Corcos (Marrakech, 1889-1974) married Abraham Meyer Corcos (Marrakech, 1880-1961), who belonged to the Castilian branch of the family. One of their children, Maurice Meyer (Marrakech, 1916) was active in local Jewish community affairs and a well known Mohel. He married a cousin, Lina Corcos (Mogador 1922) one of the family members in that city. Another son of Mas'oud Joshua, Judah Corcos (d.1753 in Safi) continued as financial adviser to the Sultan and was also head of the Jewish community in Marrakech and well-known for his generosity to the community. Judah's son Abraham (Marrakech 1730-Mogador 1797) was also community head and a founder of Yeshivoth, and served as financial adviser to Sultan Moulay Muhamed Ben-Abdullah. He married his cousin Reina Sumbal, sister of Samuel who was the Sultan's adviser and interpreter. Most of the descendants of this branch immigrated to France, where they still reside. At the Sultan's request, Abraham appointed one of his nephews, Maimon Ben Yitzchak Corcos (d. Mogador 1799) to represent the family in the new port at Mogador or Essaouira. He reached the port with ten other merchant families chosen by the Sultan, mostly Jewish. The Sultan's decision had a great affect on the history of Morocco, the Jewish community and the Corcos family. Ever since the era of “the Sultan's merchants” (Tajjar al-Sultan), Corcos family members have lived in that city. This designation was given by the Moroccan Sultans since the 16th century to a small group of select traders - Moslem, Christians and especially Jews, with a view to counterbalance the European influence on Morocco's economy. The king's merchants worked both as independent traders and as commercial agents for the ruler, and managed his worldwide fiscal affairs. They were granted far-reaching privileges, such as easily obtainable loans and houses, offices and stores in government districts, and they gradually became indispensable to the government. In 1799, Maimon Corcos died in a typhus epidemic in the city, and left no descendants.

His cousin Salomon Corcos, the son of Abraham Corcos (Marrakech, 1730-Mogador 1797), went to Mogador at the Sultan's behest. In 1823 Salomon Corcos was appointed British Consul in Marrakech and much later in Mogador, thus starting a family tradition of representing the great nations. His close, personal connection with Sultan Moulay Abdarraham Hisham is illustrated in a number of letters found in the family archives amongst hundreds of documents preserved by the Corcos family over many generations. They related mainly to Corcos relationships with the Court, and to Jewish-Moslem relations in the 18th and 19th centuries.

These archives are a precious family heirloom and a very valuable source of the history of the Mogador Jews. To our regret, the older part of these archives was destroyed during a London blitz in Second World War after having been preserved for research. The Ben Zvi Institute (Jerusalem) published research monographs by Michel Abitbol, based on these archives: “The Corcos Family and Contemporary Moroccan history” and “The Sultan's Merchants and Economic Development in Morocco”. My father David Corcos, who inherited the collection, made first use of these archives for his own research projects.

Salomon Corcos reached Mogador in 1845 and joined his son Abraham after leaving the business management in Marrakech to his first-born son Jacob Corcos (1813-1878). The authorization from the Sultan is found in a document dated 4.7.1854, that exists in the family archive.*Our addition: Sultan Abderrahman entrusted Solomon Corcos on February 11, 1846 with a very important sum of money to be invested in Christian lands. Cf: David Corcos; Studies in the History of the Jews of Morocco, pg. 47.* The family business prospered along with the success of the new port at Mogador, largely due to the activities of the Sultan's merchants. The younger brothers Abraham and Jacob Corcos were sent by their father to England to receive a good education in order to be able to handle the family business that was expanding internationally.

Abraham married Miriam Aflallo, also of a Sultan's merchant family. Jacob married Massouda Hadida, daughter of Meir Hadida, also a businessman from Tetuan and a cosmopolite. These marriage connections strengthened the status of the merchants.

Jacob was a man of striking appearance. He and his brother did something remarkable during one of the typhoid epidemics that struck Mogador. The Moslems who picked up the corpses took also sick people lying in the streets for burial, since their pay was calculated according to the number of people buried. The Corcos brothers donated a large sum of money in an attempt to save dying Jews.

Abraham Corcos (d. Mogador, 1883) was the leading personality in the family. In 1862 he was appointed US Consul in Mogador. He is reputed to having paid a visit to President Abraham Lincoln, ”who greatly impressed him”. Following his appointment, a dispute broke out with the Mazhken and the Great Vizir cut off relations with Abraham. His mother Massouda Lahmi-Corcos wrote letters (now in the family archives) to the Sultan in a successful attempt to resolve the dispute. He responded to her as follows: “Massouda, wife of our friend Shlomo Corcos. Be assured that your letter reached me and I understood what you wrote regarding your two sons Abraham and Jacob. They belong to us and we do not have any Jewish friends dearer than them. How can we forget them and their father Salomon who was the dearest of all the Jews". Abraham as a Sultan's merchant was one of the richest men in Morocco and a prominent merchant, and also served as a most influential person abroad. He loved and served us all with all his might in spite of his advanced age.” Abraham's close relations with the Sultan Moulay Abderrahman gave him special status and he was the exclusive supplier of all the luxury needs (imported from England) of the Court. It was Abraham who organised Sir Moses Montefiore's visit to Morocco in 1864, which created much excitement. The Sultan received him with much pomp and after his visit, the Sultan published an order assuring the Jews of equality before the law. Relations between Abraham Corcos and Moses Montefiore were personally very close as witnessed by a number of letters found in the family archive. During his visit to Mogador, Montefiore was a guest in Abraham's house. Abraham also served as an intermediary between the Court and Jewish organisations in Europe and Morocco. He was regarded as a man with liberal views and this strengthened his leadership.

Abraham and Jacob did a great deal for the Jewish community, especially in improving living standards, expanding the Mellah, building a Jewish hospital and helping in the opening of an Alliance Israelite Universelle school. He was made president of the Alliance in Morocco and was known not only for his generosity but also his modesty, integrity and deep faith - attributes that typified many members of the family.

His son Meyer (Mogador 1847-1931) took over the duties of American Consul and was also appointed a merchant of the Sultan, but he was better known as a writer, who published a book, “Ben Meyer”, printed in Jerusalem in 1912, dealing with Sabbath and Passover laws. He and his brother Aaron (d. Mogador, 1883) did not leave any descendants, ending one of the important family branches.

The duties of a “Sultan's merchant” passed to Abraham's nephew (Jacob's son) Haim Corcos (Marrakesh 1881-Mogador 1924) who was my great-grandfather. He was a very orthodox man whose integrity and pleasant ways secured him much honour. “He was the last representative of the old school in which the children of the aristocratic Jewish families had grown up”, wrote his grandson David.

The French Protectorate over Morocco (1912) altered the political order and the international conditions that had enabled a limited group of Jews to fill an honorable role in Morocco's history. Thus an end came to the special role of the Sultan's merchants that had brought growth and prosperity to Mogador and Morocco. Hayyim's sons - my grandfather Jacob Corcos (Mogador 1881-1951 ) Salomon (d. Manchester, 1923) and Mas'oud (Mogador 1884-Tangier 1936) followed in the footsteps of their father and continued to engage in local and international commerce. Because of the political changes in Morocco, Shlomo and Mas'oud immigrated to England. There they opened a flourishing business, founded M.Corcos & Co. and continued to maintain close business relations with family members in Mogador. Mas'oud's son Michael Corcos (London 1919-1997) was a well-known doctor who had treated lepers in Nigeria. He argued rightfully that the disease was not contagious (in contrast to the prevailing view) and had given patients leave in opposition to his superiors' orders. This story aroused lively public debate in England. He converted to Christianity and all his eight children are Christians. His brother David was educated at Oxford and is a lawyer in London. His two sons, Simon and Adam, and Michael childrens are the English branch of the Corcos family .

In 1937 a tragedy took place in this family. The third brother Leslie disappeared in 1937 in a storm on the Swiss Alps. His mother Gertrude Samuel (of the well-known Samuel family, her father was one of the founders of Shell Co. and Lord Mayor of London in 1905) joined the search for her son but lost her own life in the process.

My grandfather Jacob was the only brother who chose to continue in business and to be active in the Mogador Jewish community. He married Hannah Abulafia (Mogador 1898-Jerusalem 1980), an aristocratic lady who was known for her great generosity..There is a story about a Mogador incident in which a beggar sought alms from her and as she had no cash in her purse, she removed an expensive ring from her finger and gave it to him. In 1960 she followed her son David on aliyah to Israel. Hannah Abulafia belonged to the Tiberias (Israel) branch of her family. Her grandfather, Rabbi Shmuel Joseph Abulafia (Tiberias 1854-Mogador 1920) was directly descended from rabbi Hayyim Abulafia (“The Tree of Life”), who reached Mogador with his father from Tiberias and served there as an emissary of Jewish charities.

Rabbi Shmuel Joseph's son, (Hannah's father), Haim Yeheskiel Abulafia, (Livorno 1880-Mogador 1934) was also a merchant in Mogador and England. He married Mas'ouda of the Corcos family who was descended from a Corcos branch not known to us. For deeply religious reasons, she decided to go on aliyah by herself and settled in Tiberias, where her husband's family resided, and was buried there in 1953.

David Corcos (Mogador 1917-Jerusalem 1975), the son of Jacob Corcos and Hannah Abulafia, was the only son amongst five children. When he was born, Morocco was between the old world traditions and the new, David wrote in his diary. He received an education that combined traditional family values with Jewish values and Western culture. These influencess led him to continue in the path of his ancestors who were the Sultan's merchants. He became one of the leading traders in Agadir and the entire Souss Region in the late forties and fifties, a senior officer of the local Chamber of Commerce and one of the founders of the local Lions' Club. He was also an intellectual man who loved to read about the history of Moroccan Jewry and French literature.

When Morocco became independent in 1956, economic and political conditions changed, bringing with them disorder and economic crisis. At that point (1959) David decided to go on aliyah to Israel, in contrast to most of the upper class in Morocco (including his own family), who emigrated to France and Canada. He wanted “his children and grandchildren to remain Jewish” and not become assimilated in the Diaspora, as had happened with many members of the younger generation in his family. Four of David's sisters immigrated with their extensive families (Cabessa, Elhadad, Tapiero, Corcos) to France where their children prospered in business and the liberal professions. The aliyah to Israel actually saved the family from the terrible earthquake that destroyed Agadir in 1960 and killed thousands of people. In Israel, David devoted his time to research and writing the history of N. African Jewry in general and Moroccan Jewry in particular. His great curiosity and command of languages, his wide education and especially his first-hand knowledge of Moroccan Jewry provided him with the tools to engage in his research projects, which would express his dream of presenting Moroccan-Jewish history in a much more positive light. In Israel, he felt pain at the situation of Moroccan Jewry and protested in articles and petitions against the attitude adopted towards them, the discrimination and the method of their absorption. In his research, he also made good use of his family archives and a vast and rich library that in part was in the family and in part collected by him over the years.

David's articles on Moroccan-Jewish history included research on names of Moroccan-Jewish families, the Mogador and Agadir community, customs and traditions, the Mellah and Jewish-Arab relations at various periods. He contributed more than 300 articles to the Encyclopedia Judaica and served as editor on the section of the Jews of the Maghreb, and also contributed many articles to the Hebrew Encyclopedia. He was known as “the top historian of Morrocan jewry” and regarded as a pioneer of research in the Israeli Moroccan community.

He died prematurely in 1975 in Jerusalem while working on a history of Moroccan Jewry. A warm tribute to him came from his good friend, Prof. Ashtor of the Hebrew University, who wrote inter alia: “He was a great gentlemen and a friend"… Those accompanying him on his last journey saw before their eyes the eternal vicissitudes of Jewish fate and the unconquerable continuity of Jewishness.The last of the leaders of Jewry in South Morocco, born in the Atlantic port of Mogador was buried in Jerusalem”.

This was the man who reconstituted the family tree of the Corcos family and researched its history. He felt the need for preserving for future generations the history of the families connected with Moroccan-Jewish history. His aim was to restore the reputation of this part of Jewry, and create a public awareness of the existence in Morocco of a Jewish aristocracy that had played a significant role both in Jewish life and in the country's economy. Reuven Mass published in 1976 a volume comprising a selection of his articles, entitled “Studies in the History of the Jews of Morocco.” It has become a valuable aid to researchers in this field. David Corcos married Georgette Afriat, the youngest of Solomon Afriat's seven sisters, born in Mogador in 1922. According to tradition, the Afriat family is of ancient stock deriving from the Tribe of Ephraim descendants who reached Morocco after the destruction of the Temple in 586 BCE and founded a kingdom. Georgette is a descendant the “Nisrafim of Oufrane,” the name given to 50 Jews headed by one of her ancestors, Rabbi Yehuda ben Naftali Afriat, who chose the stake to conversion when the head of a local gang named Bouhalassa tried to convert them to Islam in 1775. Their ashes were buried in a mass grave (still extant) and they became “saints” after their death. This family also belonged to the Sultan's merchants, reaching Mogador from the Souss region and played an important role in the development of Mogador. In the Second World War Georgette worked at the US Army headquaters which landed in Casablanca in 1942 and received a Commendation from the US War department for her service. In Israel she became involved in the French programme broadcast- abroad of Kol Israel and was later an editor with the Keter publishing firm.

It is an interesting genealogical fact that her mother, Ruby Evelyne Corcos (Mogador 1885-Casablanca 1945) belonged to the same branch of the Corcos family, as did her husband David Corcos,but the family branch split about 1650, so their marriage closed the family circle (see Family Tree).

A descendant of this branch was Abraham Corcos (b. 1810 in Oran, Algiers, d. London 1895). He was a rabbi and served as dayyan for many years in the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in London. His son Moses Corcos was my mother's grandfather (Algiers 1845-Mogador 1903). Two sons were born to him with his first wife Julia Brandon-Rodrigez (London), who died in 1880. Yehuda Leon Corcos (Mogador 1868-Agadir 1946) was one of the last big traders in Mogador. He moved to Agadir, the neighboring city which developed and competed with Mogador. He was one of the founders of the new town and served there as exclusive agent for Lloyds' Insurance Co.

His son Ernest Moses Corcos (b. Mogador 1904) continued his tradition as a city builder and later served as agent for Lloyds'. He held French citizenship and in World War Two fought with the Free French Forces and was decorated with the Legion of Honor by the President of France, de Gaulle. He was miraculously saved when the earthquake destroyed Agadir in 1960. He still lives there and is the last Corcos descendant in Morocco. His only son Leon Robert died prematurely in 1992, but left two sons who live in France.

Another son of Yehuda Leon is Albert Corcos (Mogador 1909), who served for many years as United Nations Hight Commission for the refugees representative in various places around the world. He received a decoration from the King of Thailand in 1987 for his outstanding service to the population of Indo-China and in appreciation of his work in that country and care for refugees from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

The second son (of Moses) was Joseph Corcos (Mogador 1872-New York 1926) was a writer, historian and rabbi of Spanish and Portuguese congregations. He had studied Talmud and Hebrew under the rabbis of Mogador. He was sent to Salamanca (Spain) for further study and was ordained as a rabbi in England in 1893. He was appointed Rabbi in Kingston, Jamaica and served there until 1903. Much later he served in Curacao and New York and finally he was Rabbi of the Montreal congregation in Canada. He wrote articles, translated Jewish law and was a poet. He was married twice, to daughters of the Abrahams and Henriques families, well-known Sephardi families in Jamaica. He founded the American branch of the family and his descendants live there to this day. Some of them later came on aliyah to Israel. One of the personalities in this branch is Lucille (New York 1908-1972), a well-known painter and book illustrator in USA. Her son Joel Levy Corcos was also a painter in New York and her son David is Director of the Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

Moses' second wife was Stella Duran (New York 1858-Casablanca 1948). Her father was Abraham Duran and her mother was Rebecca Montefiore (London 1831-1929) a niece of Sir Moses Montefiore. Stella came to Mogador with her husband in 1884. The following year she decided to set up an English language school for poor Jewish girls, in order to save them from Christian missionaries. The main support for this school came from the Anglo-Jewish Association, which had as its aim to help Jewish education throughout the world and was being directed at that time by Stella's cousin, a well-known philanthropist named Claude Montefiore. This school competed successfully with the Alliance School and this created tensions with Stella Corcos. In 1900, 170 girls were studying there and its existence in the city of Mogador led to the spread of the English language. Many began to speak English or to interweave it with the Judeo-Arabic and French that they spoke. English was the first language used in my mother's house. The strong English influence in Mogador sprang from the commercial ties with England, the traders' frequent visits to England and numerous foreigners who lived in the city, including the Consuls of the Great Powers. Thus the international atmosphere and assimilation with the West were special features of life in Mogador.

Stella Corcos was keenly interested in the life of the Jews of Mogador and she strove to better their condition in the Mellah, which had become severely overcrowded. In 1898 she requested an audience with the Sultan and surprisingly received permission to meet with the Sovereign to present a petition for the enlargement of the Mellah. It was extraordinary for a woman to be allowed in the presence of the Sultan at that time in a Moslem country.She made the long and tiring journey on a horsback..The Sultan authorized the erection of 150 houses outside the walls of the Mellah.

The event was reported in "the Jewish chronicle" of 9 December 1898.

The sons of Moses and Stella were British citizens: Abraham (Bertie) (Mogador 1894-Casablanca 1943) fought in the first World War in Turkey at Gallipoli.He was wounded and badly gassed.He remainded invalid and never married.. Nathanael (Montie) Corcos (Mogador 1898-Agadir 1958) was educated in Cambridge he joined the Royal Air Force during the First Word War ,becoming the youngest pilot .During the Second War he was a Wing Commander. In both Wars he received Letters of Commendation .He Married Edna Nissim -Sassoon (India 1908-London 1988) ,The granddaughter of Sir David Sassoon the ancestor of the famous Sassoon of Baghdad .Their Three children live now in the USA(Audrey) and England (Basil and Nigel).

One of Stellas's daughters Florence Corcos (Mogador 1892-Jerusalem 1971) was a teacher in her mother's school. She was a Zionist activist in Casablanca and used to stage a one-woman demonstration at the British Consulate shortly before Israel became independent.She donated all her money and pieces of land she owned to Kol Israel Haverim and the Keren Kayemet.She later immigrated to Israel and buried in the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

The event that linked back together the two branches of the Mogador Corcos family was the marriage of David Corcos and Georgette Afriat .Their children : Sidney (Agadir 1949), (the author of this article) Jack (Agadir 1951) and Evelyne (Agadir 1955 ) live in Jerusalem.

We came to Israel as children and educated here. My brother and I served as officers in combat units in the Israel Defense forces and took active part in the wars of Israel (The War of Attrition; The Yom Kippur War; the Lebanon War) .

Sidney (a Zoologist and Museologist)is the director of the Natural History Museum in Jerusalem, his Children's are Keren (Jerusalem 1992) and David (Jerusalem 1994) . Jack was assigned to missions abroad and work at the Jewish Agency. His children's are Daniel (Jerusalem 1985) and Roni ( Jerusalem 1989).

For many centuries ,in Spain and in Morocco the Corcos family remained faithful to its religion and to the moral value of the family and the Saga continues today in Modern Israel.
Published in JOURNAL OF JEWISH GENEALOGY 'Sharsheret Hadorot' ,Vol 14, No.2 winter 2000

 

Part II

The History of the True Noble Sharifian Rulers

Saadi Homed Ebn Abdallah, Sultan of Morocco (see Part III & Part IV)

(Sidi Mohammad ben Abdallah, Sultan of Morocco). Portrait by: Maurice Bagenal St.Leger Keatinge, 1785 and reproduced in: Travels through France and Spain to Morocco comprising a Narrative of the authour's Residence in that Empire. With an account of The British Embassy to the Court of Morocco under the late George Payne, Esq. Consul-General, London, 1817.

continues since 1985 with:

Our Political Persecution in Switzerland

This message is specially intended to reach all Moroccan citizens as well as the whole Arab world including Mecca & Medina so you may discover with us the true history of the descendant belonging to the

Noble Sharifian bloodline

which are the sole carriers of the “secret” word

al-Aji

Public audience of Sultan Sidi Mohammad ben Abderrahman IV, at the city of Fès in December of 1872, receiving the British Delegation of Tangier, represented by
Sir John Drummond-Hay and accompanied by his staff and family.
Courtesy of Mr. Robert Drummond-Hay, London. (see Part IV)

 

The initiative which led to this recent research was a 21 year ongoing conspiracy which was instigated directly or indirectly by the Federal Council “Swiss government” against myself, our children and business. I really turned curious and wanted to find out why someone like me could end-up in such a destructive political drama. First I found out that Switzerland was most interested in analyzing the Sharifian wealth since the 17th century. As a matter of fact, since the end of the 17th to the early 20th century there was without a doubt a continues Swiss elite of well informed merchants, military mercenaries and military personnel stationed in Morocco but carefully hidden behind foreign powers like: Great Britain /France / Spain & Italy and this at least until the beginning of
the 20th century. Further, during those years the Swiss military mercenaries and Swiss military personnel were ordered to secretly take part in foreign military campaigns whenever GB/F/E or I wanted to force upon their will against the Sharifian rulers.

In 1901 the Federal Council “Swiss government” asked Mr. Fischer, Marseilles, to travel to Morocco and to establish for them secretly, a political trade report; published,1905. On pages 6-7 he mentions; for the considerable exploitations of the mines – of course, there will be first French and British capital available. On page 5, he mentions the existence of a “Thron-prätendent, Sidi Mohammad”; as well in: Prof. D.R. Pennell; Morocco since 1830, pg. 128-129.

The reader must be aware that Morocco is a very wealthy country indeed and that authors like Mr. James Richardson; Travels in Morocco, 1859 had already mentioned within his book the existence of rich mines of Iron, Silver, Gold, Lead, Copper, Antimon and Phosphates and remarked: He, Sultan, must forbid these geological wanderings. Further, 1860, discovery of ground treasures in Tetouan.

December 1863 arrival at Tangier of Sir Moses Montefiore, brother-in-law of N.M. Rothschild, GB. He claimed to come to Morocco in order to have the Sultan enforce better conditions for his Jewish brethren. He himself had nephews and cousins in Essaouira. For example: Fam. Sebag & Fam. Guedalla. But Mr. Montefiore was also travelling the country side in order to establish, for their cause, two Jewish groups. The fist group, (mostly of Jewish-Berber descend), was to be sent to settle in Palestine, work the lands and fight for the creation of the future State of Israel. The second group, the elite, was to be filtered through whole of Europe, the United States, Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil etc. etc. This is how they were able to bring together these most powerful organizations like: Int. Zionist Congress, World Jewish Congress (WJC), UN, World Bank, WTO, IWF, WEF etc.
At the beginning, some was financed through the wealth coming from the Sharifian al-Aji’s. Later, some was financed through the oil revenues coming from the Arab world. The rest is being accumulated through the interests owed by countries which at some stage and time took out a loan from this finance institution, while not realizing, that they will never be given the chance to pay it back.
See: Sir Moses Montefiore’s Dream – Israel benefactor; Montefiore speaks of his engraved ring. The Hebrew inscription reads:

 

“Possessor of everything”

From 1906 on Switzerland had her hands in all important Moroccan affairs. The Federal Court, Lausanne was to decide over the future of the Banque d’Etat Marocaine. And the organization of the local police was entrusted to a Swiss – a general inspector – which likewise was selected by the Federal Council. But everything always happened in accordance with France and Spain.

Great Britain controlled Morocco through a granted loan which the Sharifian
ruler received in order to settle a Spanish/British reparations war claim and at the same time had Tetouan freed from Spanish occupation. This Spanish debt was transferred to Great Britain and in a series of complicated financial manoeuvres bonds were floated in London, backed by the British government. Until today Morocco has never come out of this trap. See: TA, March 07; Morocco is looking for a loan in the amount of € 654 Mill.

In 1873 Si Mohamed Tazi a descendant of a Jewish tribe from Taza and Ba Ahmed ben Moussa both pro British and pro French, along with the Swiss, helped to prepare the road for the future French take-over. May 12, 1912 was the beginning of the French Protectorate. Ref: Tazi see: http://www.douane.gov.ma/Histoire_douane/REGIMES4.htm

For two years I consulted many old books, some diplomatic archives, private documents, historians etc. and found out that

the history of my ancestors needs to be rewritten.

 

As of today I have found our family name on monuments built by:

Sultan Ismail Laalaj, (Laalaj: racine du mot) 1634-1727
Sultan Abdallah ben Ismail al-Aji 1678-1757
Sultan Sidi Mohammad III ben
Abdallah ben Ismail al-Aji 1709-1790

 

 

Morocco was the first nation, in 1777,
to recognize the fledgling United States as anindependent nation. On December 20, 1777, Morocco's Sultan Sidi Mohammad III declared that the American merchant ships would be under the protection of the sultanate and could thus enjoy safe passage.
The Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship stands as the U.S.'s oldest non-broken friendship treaty. It was signed by: John Adams & Thomas Jefferson, and has been in continuous effect since, (July 16th?), 1786.
For further research see: The Avalon Project: The Barbary Treaties 1786-1816 – Treaty with Morocco

 

Sultan Sidi Mohammad III al-Aji. (see Part IV)

 

 

 

On my great grandfathers seal, documents, correspondence and within his last will:

 

Painting by E. Delacroix. Sultan Haj Abderrahman ben Mohammad ben Abdallah ben Ismail al-Aji surrounded by his guard and his principle officers about to leave his palace at Meknès, 1845. (see Part IV)

 

For explanation on difference of name see:

Sultan Haj Abderrahman ben Mohammad
ben Abdallah ben Ismail al-Aji ca. 1778 or 1789 – 1859 -

kown to you since 1860 as:

Alaji Abderrahman ben Mohammad ben ... or

Alaoui Abderrahman ben Mohammad ben ...al-Aji, a Sharif

Ref: www.douane.gov.ma/Histoire_douane/GLOSSAIRE.htm

 

 

Abderrahman had several sons of which I may name:

(Portrait: see Part IV)

Sultan Sidi Mohammad IV ben
Abderrahman ben Mohammad ben
Abdallah ben Ismail al-Aji ca. 1803 – 1873 -???

to

my father – to me – my brothers and close cousins.

 

By Horace Vernet. The French drove a resistance leader, Abd al-Qadir, into Morocco, and the Sultan gave public support to this Islamic hero. War broke out between France and Morocco in August 1844. On the Algerian frontier, at Wadi Isly near Oujda, 30'000 men led by Sidi Mohammad ben Abderrahman, the Sultan's son,were routed by 11'000 French troops. The Cherarda jaysh contingents broke under the fire, pillaging the Moroccan camp as they fled. Cf. Pennell; Morocco since 1830 pg. 49.

 

Because of the continuing Western manipulations towards my family and the kingdom, we had to go undercover around the end of the 19th century to secure and guarantee the survival of the few remaining family members.

Books on Moroccan history

Most historians – if not all – are relatives of ex Zionist merchant families = called: “Tajer Assoltane” from Essaouira or from other cities of Morocco which were working for my family and the kingdom within the country and outside of the country. These Tajer Assoltane were given yearly large amounts of cash from the Sultan’s treasury – free of interests and with no personal risk to the merchant.
They also been offered a house, a store and storage facilities at low rent by the Sultan and were able to import and export goods at a favorable tax rate. They also been excluded from having to pay a tax called “jizya”. These merchants had only to go an buy what the country needed plus goods to trade with the Europeans.
Instead, the “Tajer Assoltane” immediately grabbed the trust of the Sultans to create an enormous wealth for themselves and quickly set-up a whole trade mechanism starting with a bank borrowing the needed trade capital to their own kind. And once their merchants had returned with the goods they had to pay interest on the amount borrowed + a commission to the Tajer Assoltane.
The same Tajer Assoltane received later another commission from the Sultan when making his account with him. And once the Sultan asked the Tajer Assoltane to sell certain goods to Europe - the same tactic was repeated with one difference – this money stayed in Europe. To Morocco they brought only the amount of cash which they needed to keep the trust of the Sultan and for their daily need.

At the same time, some of these Tajer Assoltane were appointed as Consuls by foreign powers in order to have the foreign interests better represented within the Sultanat. Henceforth, the Tajer Assoltane have become foreign protégés!!! It is clear that in such circumstances these Tajer Assoltane had only their future interests in mind and certainly did not protect the interests of the Sultanat.

At some stage another form of income was created, for example: Whenever somebody claimed that a Tajer Assoltane had “debts” outside of Morocco it was normal for that European country to claim reparations from the Sultans. This was done mostly by means of military presence/force which left the Sultans with no other choice than to pay.

At a certain time, Great Britain,France,Spain,Switzerland & Morocco along with their historians, had to integrate the family of their fake monarch lineage by using the name of Abderrahman ben Hisham (a nephew) instead of: Sultan Haj Abderrahman ben Mohammad al-Aji, which was the true Noble Sharifian Ruler at the time, so the world would never find out their sham. For this they did not even shy away from falsifying the true spelling, reading and translation of our "name".

They claim: al-Alj, al-Elj, al-Eldj, al-Eulj, al-Ulj, al-Ilj

although the Moroccan tourism web-sites clearly mentioned:

"Laalaj” = al - Aji (see Part III)

Instead they make you to believe that the inscriptions on the gates of Meknès and Essaouira read:

“Renegade” = This is absolutely false !!!! (see Part III)

They teach you this for only one reason: 1. To mislead you. 2. To fake the legitimacy to the throne and to gain the legitimacy to the Noble Sharifian al-Aji heritage.

For example see:

Meknès: Built by Sultan Ismail. Completion of the famous
Bab al-Mansour Laalaj by his son, Sultan
Abdallah ben Ismail al-Aji in 1732.

 

Bab al-Mansour Laalaj = al-Aji (see Part III)

 

Essaouira (Mogador): Built by

Sultan Sidi Mohammad III ben Abdallah al-Aji, 1764.

He dedicated the inscription in the

name of the kings, Sidi Mohammad & Ahmad al-Aji.

 

Sea Gate (see Part III)

In 1764 Sultan Sidi Mohammad III engaged Théodore Cornut, a French architect on payroll to the British of Gibraltar. The Sultan received him with all honours due to a great artist and entrusted him with the realization of the new city. Cornut, l'Avignonnais, worked three years on constructing the port and the Kasbah, its original plan being preserved at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris.

It seems that the second part of the construction (Medina etc.) was desined long after Cornut's departure. The Sultan not wishing to prolong their collaboration as he reproached the French to be to expensive and to have worked for the British enemy. Ref: Etymologie Essaouira.

 

Further: While continuing my research on my ancestors I came across some web-sites like:

First:

Various interviews made on Mr. Ahmed Rami. Further, we received from Mr. Rami his book

“Zuerst nach Casablanca”.

Within an interview he also speaks of a well kept secret:
King Sidi Mohammed V’s adoption of Hassan II and etc.Ref: http://abbc.net/alaouites/hassan2/fils-de-glaoui.htm; Hassan II is the son of Glaoui; Mohamed VI baptised by a Rabbi from Israel; the Freemasons in Morocco & Moulay Hafid, 1867-1937.

Second:

Mr. Rami and Prof. Pennell both speak of a Coup d’Etat which took place in the palace on February 26, 1961 against King Sidi Mohammed V. Two Swiss doctors convinced King Sidi Mohammed V to undertake a minor nose correction which could be done within the palace. This was done on 26.02.1961 by Prof. Jean-Pierre Taillens, Lausanne & Dr. Raymond, Lausanne. (NZZ, 27.02.1961) Cf: Prof. C.R. Pennell; Morocco, from Empire to Independence; page 166. Ahmed Rami; Corruption and Crime in Hassan’s court. Hassan II announced Sidi Mohammed's death and immediately proclaimed himself King. Shortly after that the Swiss-Moroccan relations improved once again which briefly went sour once the French returned King Sidi Mohammed from exile. (1955 to February 26, 1961). See no. 1.

Third:

Another site speaks of Hassan II & his sons baptism which took place at the palace at the request of a Rabbi from Israel. Cf: Abdelilah Bouasria; Chercheur en politique, Wash. D.C. & Prof. Robert Assaraf, a Moroccan Jewish historian, Paris. See no. 1.

Fourth:

Another subject on the web is a present. A slave girl which was given by El-Glaoui to King Sidi Mohammed V. According to the story the King had no idea that the girl he just received was already pregnant with the future Hassan II. Further it is mentioned that Hassan’s real father is El-Glaoui a Berber from the Southern part of Morocco and that Hassan’s real mother was of Berber-Jewish descend. Further, El-Glaoui was a known French collaborator with his own political ambitions. Cf: Dar El Glaoui: El Glaoui: The pasha of Marrakesh. Time Magazine. Monday, Sept. 5, 1955; Revolt & Revenge & Time Magazine. Monday, May 20, 1957; Who Is Boss?

All of this happened because of:

Reason no. 1:

Revenge of the Moroccan Zionist, the Learned Elders of Zion.
See in James Richardson, Travels in Morocco, 1859; pg. 79;
Nevertheless, if the Jews of this country had the power, they
would enslave the Mussulman, and well castigate them. This
latter remark, Coriante uttered with an emphasis, denoting the
revenge which his countrymen would inflict upon their
Mahometan oppressors, who had kept them in chains for a series
of ages.

Reason no. 2:

The “Old Confederacy”, Helvetic Republic, Swiss Confederacy
“Federal Council” in connection with the Swiss-Moroccan
descendants have their own Zionists, Freemasons, Basler-
Daigs and etc. with their own financial interests incl. the
exploitation of a country and its citizens.

 

During the last 23 years I noticed that this evil destruction, manipulation and jealousy against my business, myself and my family was coming mostly from within Switzerland, from: Geneva, Basel, Bern, Zurich and Thurgau, in connection to: London, Israel, New York and lately Morocco.

Therefore, while reading the book of Prof. D. Schroeter I checked if I could find some of these old merchant family names from Essaouira and other parts of Morocco within Switzerland. To my great surprise most of these names one can find within Geneva, to London, to Israel, to New York, etc. and some are even part of the Zionist organization, incl. in Switzerland. Below, a few names of the Tajer Assoltane mentioned by Prof. D. Schroeter in Merchants of Essaouira, on page 25, which I found in Switzerland:

Abitbol, Amar and (also: Rabbi Amar, Israel), Benattar, Boujnah, Cohen, Coriat and (Essaouira, Mogador: 1859, Rabbi Coriat), Curtis, Darmon, De La Mar, Elmaleh, Grace, Israel, Levy, Loeb, Ohana, Pinto, Robertson, Sebag and (Sebag-Montefiore), Toby, Zagury etc. and in Israel the families Afriat & Corcos etc. For references on Rabbi Coriat: James Richardson, Travels in Morocco, 1859, p. 79; on Rabbi Amar: www.abbc.net/alaouites/hassan2/fils-de-glaoui.htm; on Rabbi Afriat: www.econ-pol.unisi.it/~afriat/Memory.pdf; and Sidney S. Corcos; “The Corcos family: Spain-Morocco-Jerusalem”, published in Journal of Jewish Genealogy, Sharsheret Hadorot, Vol. 14, No. 2, Winter 2000.

 

Until today the Federal Council “Swiss government” is fully aware of this problem but ordered me to stop plus refuses to answer any of my questions as well as the so-called king of Morocco and his government.

 

You may also want to read: Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Sindi; The Direct Instruments of Western Control over the Arabs: The Shining Example of the House of Saud at: www.kanaanonline.org/readings/read7.pdf

Zionisten-Congress in Basel (29.30. und 31. August 1897); Officielles Protocoll; Wien, 1898. Verlag des Vereines "Erez Israel". Lord Edmond Rothschild, London & Jacob H. Schiff, NYC ordered Theodor Herzl, Austria, to organize the Basel congress. Ref: History of Events, 1897

La 2e Légion Etrangère ou Légion Suisse by W. Gehri

Moroccan rabbis, in contrast to most Ashkenazi rabbis, supportet First Zionist Congress in Basel. Ref: The Forgotten Refuges; Historical Timeline

MSS-Buchanan: 1858-1860 Madrid, Spain; Copies of letters and etc.; Univ. of Nottingham

USA Nat. Archives & Records Admin. Microfilms

Rolf Ackermann, pg. 5 - 6, mit Zitaten aus dem Tagebuch des deutschen Oberstlieutenant a.D. Adolph

von Conring (Berlin, 1880), in: Marokko verstehen. Studienkreis für Tourismus e.V., D-Starnberg, 1985.

Prof. Daniel Schroeter, The Jews of Essaouira (Mogador) and the Trade of Southern Morocco.

 

Part III

 

Revelation on Title

Aji

Within the period of the Middle Kingdom of the 13th dynasty I found the TITLE of Aji as Ay in use for the fist time by:

Pharaoh Merneferre Ay

Ay’s prenomen or royal name means:

The one who loves the beauty of Ra

while his titulary is: Ay

which is equal to:

Aya, Aye, Eje, Ai, Ay – hi, Eye, Aji
became in Aramaic, Greek, Latin & Arabic
el- Aji or al -Aji

He was the last Pharaoh to have been mentioned by name on monuments in Upper and Lower Egypt. He assumed the throne in ca. 1700 B.C. and is said to have reigned for over 23 years.

Pharaoh Ay, pulling papyrus, 13th dynasty. His action demonstrates that the papyrus was to become writing paper for education.

With the death of Pharaoh Merneferre Ay=Aji the title Ay=Aji disappeared likewise from the Egyptian history and kingdom and this until we reach the
18th dynasty. Here the title of Ay=Aji suddenly reappears with:

Pharaoh Kheperkheperure Ay=Aji.
(1327-1323 B.C. or 1325-1321 B.C.)

Ay’s prenomen or royal name – Kheperkheperure – means:

Everlasting are the Manifestations of Ra
while his birth titles
Ay = Aji it-hetjer - reads as: Ay=Aji, Father of the God

while:

the title Ay=Aji denotes the holder of a priestly office and historians in the past have referred to Ay=Aji as the “High Priest AY=Aji”, accrediting him with some of the religious thinking behind the Aten heresy, largely because the much quoted Great Hymn to the Aten appears in it’s fullest form in his tomb at Amarna.

Note: Explanation: At this period the Pharaoh was considered a God. So, when he mentioned – Father of the God – he simply meant: Father of the successor – successor now intitled:

Pharaoh = God and Protector of his people and over land
while:

Pharaoh Ay=Aji was both,

a political and a religious leader.

Pharaoh Kheperkheperure Ay=Aji, was married to queen Tiy, “the Great Royal Wife, his beloved, the Lady of the Two Lands [Tiy], living” and “the heiress, great of praises, the Lady of the Two Lands, [Tiy], living” and later Ay=Aji is said to have “married?” in his late sixties, Tutankhamun’s widow, Ankhesanamun, his granddaughter, which was the daughter of Nefertiti and Pharaoh Akhenaten=Echnaton. Further, Pharaoh Ay=Aji it-hetjer had other children and grandchildren. One of his daughters or granddaughters had the name & title (H)ajar/Arabic meaning: Stone, it-hetjer. (remember also Mt. Sinai as (H)agar).
During Pharaoh Ay=Aji short reigned, about 4 years, he built a rock cut chapel in Akhmim and dedicated it to the local deity there which is known as Min. Min as a lunar deity was sometimes given the title:

“Protector of the Moon”

Before Ay=Aji it-hetjer became Pharaoh he was a close advisor to two or even three Pharaohs, (Akhenaten & Tutankhamun) who ruled before him and he, Ay=Aji was the power behind the throne during Tutankhamun’s reign. That is why he carries the title of Ay=Aji, father of the God.

Abraham’s journey from Ur to Egypt

 

The Origin of the Moon Deity

The history of the Moon God and his consort in successive Near Eastern Cultures from Sumeria through Canaan to Saaba and Harran.

Ancient Roots of the Moon God

El – the kind old fatherly God of Canaan.

Biffault notes that the Moon as a deity is in its ancient form male, the male nature complementing the natural moon-related cycle of female fertility. This can be appreciated when we consider that a common thread runs from the ancient Venus of Laussel dating from around 18'000 – 20'000 B.C. with her
13 notched upheld moon horn, representing the lunar months, through Catal Huyuk with the horned Bulls and pregnant fertility goddesses, to the golden calves of Ur and the bull-horned El of Canaan, who although no longer specifically a Moon God retains his ancient fertility symbol, the human menstrual cycle.
Just as the fertility Goddess is one although she has many names, the Mood God comes in a variety of names which span many cultures, Nanna of the Sumerians patron of Ur, Yerah of Ugarit, Sin patron of Harran, Kusuh of the Hurrians, Ilumquh of the Sabeans of Yemen, Soma of the Indo-Aryans, Yaho and many others. Although he was the patron deity of two specific cities of the Sumerian empire, Ur in the South and Harran in the far North, his worship is astral and cross-cultural.

Av’ram =Abram=Abraham

left Harran,

City of the Moon God

Stele of Nabonidus, Star and Crescent of Harran coin, Sign of Sin (Beaulieu, Segal 1963)

At the Northernmost end of the Sumerian empire, the city of Harran, likewise had the Moon Deity as patron God, under the name of Sin. From about 2000 B.C. to 1200 A.D. Harran continued an evolving tradition of Moon God worship. Harran is the birth place of Abraham’s family and ancestors and the center of many of the early events of genesis, including the naming of Israel.
As described by Ezekiel 27:23, Harran along with Sheba and other cities were traders in blue clothes and broidered work, in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords and made of cedar!

Harran female dress was essentially unchanged from 4th c. to the 19th c. (Segal 1963). Temple and relief figure with frock coat - Sumatar Harabesi. The statues show inscriptions to Sin.

Av’ram (Abraham) was born in present-day Iraq to a carpenter who specialized in carving idols. Observing his father carve these statues out of wood, (most likely made of terracotta, stone, ivory & bone), he was struck by his people’s worship and consecration of them. No matter how hard he tried, he never received a satisfactory answer from his father about how he could worship something that he himself had made. Feeling dissatisfied, Ibrahim began talking about this with his friends. This caused his father to worry about his business and, of course, his son. But Ab’ram pursued this issue and even sought to convince others that such worship was futile. Finally, he destroyed all the statues, except the main one. When people asked him who had done such a thing, he told them to ask the surviving statue.
The search for God let Av’ram (Abraham) to consider worshipping various heavenly objects. However, he could not associate their waxing and waning as belonging to the Creator. Finally he dedicated himself to worshipping the Creator of the heavens and Earth, to rejecting all idol worshippers and to becoming a hanif (meaning: one who follows the true religion).
When he began to spread this new idea among his people, he encountered opposition and persecution. Finally, he and his wife Sarah sought refuge in Egypt where Av’ram became Abraham.

Abraham with his wife Hajar it-hetjer

Here we find ourselves within the historical mentioning of Abraham’s and Sara’s immigration to Egypt along with their entire tribe. This history of Abraham we learned through the Torah, Bible & the Koran.

While there, Pharaoh Ay=Aji married his daughter, Princess Hagar to Abraham. Hence she is the wife of Abraham and future mother of Ismail.

Agar = Hajar = Hajira = Hagar

is said that Mount Sinai was also called “Agar” = “Hagar/Arabic: Hajar” and that it was named after Hajar. Arabic translation for Hajar is Stone.

Note: The Hijira or "sudden departure" although applied to the events following 622 A.D. bears the same name as Hajira (Hagar), who discovered the spring of Zamzam flowing by Ismail's foot when searching for water for him after the "sudden departure" of Abraham. (Shad 48). Ref: The Origin of Sin 3: The Lunar Passion and the Daughters of Allah. (St. Paul uses Hagar as a symbol for the bondage of the Old Law. Ref: from: The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, 2004).

She is of royal bloodline, a princess, and that Hajar’s father was killed by Pharaoh [ Dhul Arsh=Islam suggest the meaning: Possessor of the Throne, [God], as one to be obeyed or:(even that perhaps Israfil, a gigantic archangel is meant)]
As we learned: Pharaoh means God, and not possessor.
Princess Hagar of Ay=Aji it-hetjer = (H)ajar was either a daughter of the Pharaoh Ay=Aji or at least one of his granddaughters.

Why would a Pharaoh give his daughter to Abraham?

1.Abraham believed in one God.
2.History tells us that he had came from Ur. Therefore, Abraham must have benefited from reading, writing and mathematics skills, and probably through his forefathers teaching he must have became a respectful tribal chieftain and a successful trade merchant.
3.Now as an immigrant to Egypt he wanted to be admitted to live in peace within Egypt and or within the surrounding territories.
4.Above mentioned 3 points plus Abraham’s knowledge of the area might have had an convincing impact into the Pharaoh’s decision to give Hajar in marriage to Abraham. As Abraham, the Pharaoh Kheperkheperure Ay=Aji it-hetjer was a religious person himself (high priest) and too, a very successful merchant with trade relations within many neighboring countries. (Hittite’s, Ur, Palestine, Canaan & etc.)
At first everything must have worked out well for Abraham as through his marriage with Hajar he was no longer regarded as an immigrant but as a respectable person in Egypt. However, experience teaches us likewise that whenever something is not based on honesty it most likely will not last.

Abraham’s separation from Hajar and Ismail.
(Within our research of Ay=Aji we do not comment on Sara and Isaac)

It is said that one day Abraham took his two wives and left from Egypt. Some years later he took Hajar and Ismail and eventually settled them within the valley Hijaz, the crossroads of caravan routes between Yemen and Sham= (Jordan, Palestine, Syria), which became Ismail’s Kingdom, the Hijaz - known to you today as Mecca.

Ismail in Hijaz

The Torah, the Bible and the Koran tell us that Abraham returned to the Hijaz in order to help Ismail restore an ancient sanctuary which he had found within his new Kingdom. In doing so he clearly followed his forefathers tradition of the

Pharaoh Ay=Aji

as:

protector and overseer of his people and over land

and fulfilled his obligations as the founder of the Kingdom of the Hijaz.

However, Ismail kept his mother’s name Hagar and title Ay=Aji, it-hetjer which she brought with her from Egypt in order to clearly distinct himself from Sara and Isaac.

Therefore, Ismail named it in Memory of his Mother Hagar al-Hijr, meaning: “Hijar, Rocky place” which as a territory became:

The Kingdom of the Hijaz=Hejaz

Ismail maintained his title and the tradition of his forefathers as:

Ay=Aji it-hetjer

as:

High Priest, father of the God

meaning:

protector and overseer of his people and over land

within

the “Barrier” of the Hijaz

 

Kaabah

means:

The Holy House of God

The most sacred and antient TEMPLE of the MAHOMETANS at MECCA.

From: A Faithful Account of the Religion and Manners of the Mahometans by Joseph Pitts of Exon, London 1731.

Holy Shrine and Sanctuary which is
holding the sacred stone al-Hajar al-Aswad - the “Navel of the World” within the Hijr.
(is also known as: al-Hajarul Aswad)
A Minaret at the Kaabah is crowned by the crescent moon.
The Hijr opposite the northwestern face of the Kaabah is an area of special sanctity defined by a low semicircular wall, al-Hatim – “(the broken”). The enclosed area is called al-Hijr –“(the enclosure), and Muslim tradition identifies it as the burial place of Ishmael and Hagar and possibly of Prophet Abraham.

Abraham and Ismail

Having accomplished the task of rebuilding the Holy House of God, Hagar must have had expressed her wish for Ismail and Abraham (+ with regards to Abraham - as a sign for forgiveness – for his mistreatment towards his wife Hagar) to follow within her father, Pharaoh Ay’s=Aji’s and forefathers noble tradition through the ritual of circumcision. This tradition Hagar wanted to maintain and to be continue within all of Ismail’s descendants.
Until today this tradition continued within the two branches of Abraham’s
descendants.

Religious Traditions and Circumcisions
of the Pharaohs

Just when and why circumcision was first practiced in the ancient Near East is not known, but it was widely attested in antiquity. Bodies from 4000 B.C. exhumed in Egypt disclose evidence of circumcision. (Breasted, 353, p. 10). Ancient Egyptian art, on those occasions when the genitals of Egyptian males were depicted, provide evidence of male circumcision. For example, the carpenter portrayed in the 6th dynasty, 2350-2000 B.C., tomb at Saqqara.

Left: Tomb at Saqqara, 6th dynasty, (2350-2000 B.C.) Right: Tomb on Ankh-ma-Hor at Saqquara,
(6th dynasty)

Abraham’s and Ismail’s Circumcision

The Abrahamic convenant, invented by priests, transformed circumcision from an ethic convenant into a theological divinely ordained legal requirement. It is not a puberty rite nor a pre-marital ritual. It is a covenantal sign to be inflicted on infant males on the eight day after birth to signify their inclusion in the divine promises. Failure to circumcise or be circumcised marks a breach of the covenant.

The story concludes with the 99-year-old Abraham circumcising himself, his son Ismail, who was 13 years old, and all male members of his extended household.
Ref: Gerald A. Larue, Religious Traditions and Circumcision

God made a contract with Abraham on circumcision. (Genesis 17:10-14, 24-27). Abraham was not circumcised before going to and after returning from Egypt.

The Holy Source

Beer Lahai Roi or Beer la-(H)ay = (H)ay’s source

known today as Zamzam

Ref: Ibn Ezra the great Jewish sage identifies this well with Zimum (or in other versions, Zimzum), “where the Arabs hold an annual festival. This is Zemzem near Mecca.”
In: First Mention of Kadesh which is Mecca or near Mecca and is not a whim of Veliko...

Prayers

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’ That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi which is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.” (16:13-14). Ref: #5. God Speaks to Hagar, Abraham’s Other Wife (Genesis 16) by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson.

The Hajira or “sudden departure” although applied to the events following 622 bears the same name as Hajira (Hagar), who discovered the spring of Zamzam flowing by Ismail’s foot when searching for water for him after the “sudden departure” of Abraham. (Shad 48). Ref: The Origin of Sin 3: The Lunar Passion and the Daughters of Allah.

Father, my heart goes out to Hagar. She has suffered slavery, jealousy, mistreatment, and yet you see her and have a plan for her life. Lord, you have a plan for my life, too, and for the lives of my brothers and sisters. Help me to be willing to submit to whatever situation you call me to. Let me not be too inflexible and too proud to walk the path you’ve set for me. Help me to follow Hagar’s example of obedience to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Ref: #5. God Speaks to Hagar, Abraham’s Other Wife (Genesis 16) by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

Through the Torah, Bible and the Koran we all are aware of the descendants of the Kingdoms of the Hijaz from the time of Ismail to Jesus to the time of the Prophet Mohammad.(pbuh)

Forty Encounters With the Beloved Prophet

Sixth Encounter

His Noble Lineage

He, (pbuh) was Muhammad ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul-muttalib ibn Hashim (Banu Hashim – founder of tribe) ibn Abdu Manaf ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab ibn Murrah ibn Ka’b ibn Lu’ay ibn Ghalib ibn Fihr (he was Quraish, so his descendants are known as Quraish, most respected tribe), ibn Malik ibn an-Nadhr ibn Kinanah (famous person whom Prophet mentioned in a hadeeth) ibn Khuzaymah ibn Mudrikah ibn Ilyas ibn Mudhar ibn Nizar ibn Ma’add ibn Adnan (forefathers of the vast majority of Arab tribes). Adnan is the direct descendant of Ismail. (peace be uppon him).

Changes in Styles, Characters and Pronunciation of Letters

(Example: Ay became in D: Ai; in E: Ae; in F: Aj; in Greek: Agi, in Latin: Ayi,; in Arabic: Aji)

As we all know the style’s and characters of the letters changed through the periods from Hieroglyphs, Cuneiform, Hebraic, Aramaic, Greek, Latin to Arabic.
Note: In: Cyrus Gordon (Journal of Cuneiform Studies, 41/1,1989) writes that:

Hay (ya) in Ugaritic is the name of the Sumerian God Enki (Earth God).
Hay, Hayy, ay = Living God

Arabic: the name (H)ay appears also in the Kuran as (H)ayy but as an attribute in:

“There is no other god accept Allah
He is (H)ayy=Aji, ever living
He is Kayyum, source of omnipotence”

According to this expression (H)ayy=Aji is an attribute and means alive-vigorous.

Here we only concentrate on the title Ay=Aji

Ay. Meaning: High Priest
Ay. Also means in Latin = Abi, meaning: Our Father (Priest)
Aji, Ay, Ayy also means Our Father (priest) = Abi in Latin & Arabic
As we know the Ay, Ayy, Aji or Abi where the holders, protectors and
overseers of the Kaabah from the time of Ismail until the time of the
Prophet Mohammad.(pbuh) This tradition continued through Ali, Hassan, Abdullah and Idris I with his arrival to the Maghreb.

Note: 03 - Talbiyah and the Sacrifice It has been narrated from Imam Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] (peace be uppon him) that he said, "Jibril (Gabriel) descended to the Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) and said to him, 'O' Muhammad! Command your companion's al-Aji and al-Thalj. The al-Ajj is to raise your voice in pronouncing the Talbiyah (Laabik Allahumma Labbaik) out loud, while the al-Thalj is to slaughter an animal ( on the day of Eid)." Ref: Forty Hadith of Hajj.

Overseer of the Kaabah before Islam:
One of the last holders of the Kaabah before Islam was Amr ibn Hicham, better known by his nickname as:

Abi ......... = Our Father (priest)
today: Abi or Abu is the same: father of

Therefore, Abi means the same as Aji because the origin of the
word has its roots in Egypt, is a title and hence
is to be translated as:

our Father, as a priest

and throughout the Islamic period is called:

Imam

Within the early years of Islam and after
we found many Aji descendants throughout the world.

The life and religion of the Pre-Islamic Arabs, especially in the Hijaz, depended on trade and they made a trade of their religion as well.

Around 170 A.D. Amr ibn Lu' ay = Aji ibn Harath ibn Amr ul-Qais ibn Thalaba ibn Azd ibn Khalan ibn Babalyun ibn Saba, a descendant of Qahtan and King of the Hijaz had put an idol called Hubal (moon god) on the roof of the Kaabat. This was one of the chief deities of the Quraysh before Islam. Ref: Hubal, from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Around 570 A.D. the title of - Aji – appears in India. Ref: Memoir of the author by Henry T. Prinsep, London, 1858, v.1, p.[i]-xvi. Hindu Coins-First Kanauj Series, pg. 287 + New Varieties of Bactrian Coins, pg. 354 refering to the Sanskrit equivalent for Diomed may be Aja Medha, a prince of the Lunar race who reigned at Kanya-Kubja.

Around 622 A.D.- 632 A.D. We have Aji Saka, a Javanese who came to Mecca to learn from the prophet Mohammad.(pbuh). Aji meaning: King / ruler. Saka: Pillar of Javanese house ... Ref: Prof.Robert W.Hefner; Tengger Tradition & Islam; Institute of Culture Challenge & Culture Hero: The Tale of Aji Saka & Mohammad, Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ.

In 630 A.D. the Prophet Mohammad conquered Mecca and ended the Quraysh’s tradition of idol-worship by smashing the statue of Hubal along with the other 360 idols at the Kaabah and re-dedicated the structure to Allah, the one God. (as Abraham did before).

Note: In: Forty Hadith of Hajj; 03 - Talbiyah and the Sacrifice. It has been narrated from Imam Ali [Ibn Abi Talib] (peace be uppon him) that he said, "Jibril (Gabriel) descended to the Noble Prophet Muhammad (blessings of Allah be upon him and his family) and said to him, 'O' Muhammad! Command your companion's al-Ajj and al-Thalj. The al-Ajj is to raise your voice in pronouncing the Talbiyah (Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik) out loud, while the al-Thalj is to slaughter an animal (on the day of Eid)." Ref: Forty Hadith of Hajj.

In 632 A.D. It all goes back to AD 632 ..................... . The origin of the rift was a dynastic dispute, between supporters of the Prophet's family, represented by Aji, and the Prophet's companions, .................. . Ref: In The Rose Garden of the Martyrs, by Christopher de Bellaigue. He mentioned in Chapter One (Karbala) the following:

Arrival of Sharif Idriss to the Maghreb. He brought his title Aji with him from the Hijaz. In 788 A.D. he became Imam Idriss I. He died in 791 A.D.

In 1129 A.D. = 524 H. we find Idriss ibn Youssef ibn Isa al-Aji mentioned by: E. Lévi-Provençal in: Documents Inédits d’Hisotire Almohade, Vol. I, Paris 1928; in Arabic see: pg. 32; for translation see: Extraits du Kitab al-Ansab, pg. 47??

In 1300-1325 A.D. Aji reappears as ruler and founder of the Indonesian kingdom. The title Aji is still in use today. Ref: Malay Kingdom in Indonesia, see: History of Kutai Kingdom Kutai & Styles & Titles.

Until 1360 A.D. the king of Brunei was called Sang Aji . (Reverend Monarch, a title said to be of Sanskrit origin. The dynasty changed in the 1360s but the title is still in use today. Ref: Brunei History.

In the 12th c. A.D. the Katsuren Castle was built and later was praised for its prosperity in the latter half of the 14th c. A.D. to the first part of the 15th c. A.D. This was the era when Aji lords such as Mochidzuki and Amawari were active and later became lord of Katsuren Castle. Ref: Katsuren Castl; Gusuku Site and the Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu.

Around 1445-1449 A.D. In: Voyages of Discovery by the Portuguese along the Western Coast of Africa, during the life, and the direction, of Don Henry, Vol. 2, Chapter 3, we find the tribe of the Sanhaga = Assenaji Tribe = The (H)Assen – Aji tribe.

Once again the title of Aji reappears during the 17th-19th c. A.D. within Morocco
and is inscribed on stone monuments, seals and documents.

al-Aji

within Morocco as:
Amir,
our commander, our ruler, our Imam
obligation:
protector and overseer of his people and over land
(following the root of noble descendance)
and
Amir al-Mumenin = Commander of the Faithful
carry the title of:

Sharif

My forefathers saga, the holders of the title al-Aji began with Idriss and continued with his son the founder of Fès. The city of Meknès which was built at the orders of Moulay Ismail al-Aji was accomplished by his son Moulay Abdullah al-Aji in 1732 with the famous gate which carries our title La'al'aj = al-Aji.

Bab al-Mansour La'al'aj

Photo taken by Mr. Russell Carhart Hall, July 28, 1928
Courtesy of Mr. T. Hall, Mississippi – USA
(Note: According to photo records received, the missing panel on your left was already missing in 1911).

The Panel above the gate entrance contains a poem which is published by H. Saladin in “Les Portes de Meknès” d’après les documents envoyés par le Capitaine Emonet du service de renseignements de Meknès, in: Bulletin archéologique, 1915, p. 242-268.
Courtesy of Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris

 

Founder of the City of Mogador

Ref: Rolf Ackermann, pg. 5-6, mit Zitaten aus dem Tagebuch des deutschen Oberstlieutenant a.D. Adolph von Conring (Berlin, 1880), in: Marokko verstehen. Studienkreis für Tourismus e.V., D-Starnberg, 1985. Portrait by: Maurice Bagenal St.Leger Keatinge, 1785 and reproduced in: Travels through France and Spain to Morocco comprising a Narrative of the authour's Residence in that Empire. With an account of The British Embassy to the Court of Morocco under the late George Payne, Esq. Consul-General, London, 1817. (see Part IV)

 

Mogador was built at the orders of Moulay Sidi Mohammad ben Abdallah al-Aji.

Re: DAFINA..NET; Mogador 1900. Auteur: Echkol, 22.08.2007

 

He dedicated the inscription on the sqala in his and his brothers name and title:

See Arabic writing of al-Aji

Photo: Courtesy of Mr. Hans Peter Schaefer, Köln.
For reference see: Prof. Daniel Schroeter in: Merchants of Essaouira.

 

 

As a matter of facts, since the time of the Pharaoh Menerferre Ay=Aji the Aji’s continued to leave their titles within their monuments. However, many of their inscriptions which included the title of:

Ay=Aji
were
purposely destroyed
throughout the history in order to erase our trace.

 

Was said by a Pharaoh about 1000 years before Moses.
Ref: Holger Kersten.

Nuk pu nuk

I am, who I am

 

****************************************

 

Idols

This article is intended as a reply to all those who call the Arabs pagans.

Until today I still do not understand why the whole scholars and researchers of history, theology & etc. do not step in and stop this kind of provocation when reading that Arabs are being called pagans. This they neglect to do although they know before hand that it might risk to end up in a catastrophe due to provocation and lack of knowledge. One can but wonder why they let it happen anyway ???????

Therefore, I urge all the Arabs -(Christians, Moslems and Jews) - do not let yourselves be provoked by this group's expression that your ancestors were pagans because this is simply misleading. Please remember that Abraham, Ismail, Jesus, as well as prophet Muhammad himself (peace and blessings be upon them) were of Arab descent and all together condemned idol worshipping and taught us to believe in only one mighty God for all.

As of today, the oldest idol found is recorded to be from:

Tan-Tan (Morocco) and dates from around 300'000 - 500'000 B.C.

Photo: Courtesy of Prof. Dr. Lutz Fiedler, Marburg

Published in: Martin Kuckenburg, Als der Mensch zum Schöpfer wurde. An den Wurzeln der Kultur, Stuttgart, 2001, Abb. 3.14 & 3.15.

 

Here we take a minute to reflect on the means, purpose and use of idols which was a common practice throughout all the world since the beginning of time and as we will see was definitely not practiced by Arabs alone. We further have ample records of various types and styles of idols which were made in different periods throughout the world.

 

 

An example of early European idols

Venus of Dolni Vestonice, Czechia, Venus of Willendorf, Austria, Venus of Lespugue, France,

from around 40'000 B.C. - 22'000 B.C.

 

An example of Arabian idols

 

This is why I must stop here and return to our main subject, idols of Arabia.

During 1000's of years people were living in different regions and amongst different tribes within the vast land of the Middle East and North Africa. They were mostly nomads, constantly travelling within the vast land as herdsman, merchants or shepherds. As today, they were confronted by many economical hardships (droughts) and political disturbances (wars) between countries or tribes which as today created many Muhajir (refugees). Naturally, all these Muhajir's brought with them their old political and religious cultures when settling within new countries or tribes. This resulted in a huge mix of different people following various religious believes. This phenomenon was especially noticeable within big cities because, some of these Muhajir's opened their own small temples, chapels, shrines etc., and others, in order to avoid discrimination and hardship decided to join the established local religion.

 

Model of a terracotta shrine, ca. 600 B.C.

Ref: www.original.britannica.com/eb/art-6039/Terra-cot...

So, once the Quraishy trade caravan had arrived to one of these distant countries, as for example to Mesopotamia, they found themselves within a new trade possibility amongst their own - the trade of idols.

Further, in ancient times the trade of idols was heavily influenced by the believe in "protection" and "religious identity", especially since according to myths - that if an individual owned one or the other idol - he or she could be prevented from harm, misfortune, sickness, or - the idol was to bring him or her prosperity, health, fertility and etc., or - was too, a reminder from where he and his family had come from.

Therefore, it should be clear that the trade of idols was too, a flourishing business throughout the entire region and hence was also used for political and religious purposes, as well as for prestige.

For example: to an ancient Egyptian Muhajir (refugee) the portrait of his pharaoh meant: your daily life is secured and protected by your god and king, even outside of your native country. Today the same is true for a Palestinian refugee living in London who placed a picture of the al-Aqsa Mosque in his house, or - with regards to a Moslem who placed the pictured word of Allah in his house, or - with regards to a carved statue of the Christ placed in the house of a British citizen who lives in the middle of Africa, or - with regards to a Menorah placed within a shop, house or synagogue of a Jewish citizen living in Europe, they all claim and insist that this gives them comfort and protection.

There is absolutely no harm in this believe as long as it's purpose is aimed for the good and above all enforces the believe into one mighty God for all as taught to us by Abraham, Ismail, Jesus and prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon them) - then, it's their freedom to do so.

Let us return to the Kaabah. In Pre-Islamic times the Kaabah was also an international gathering point for merchants which passed through the Hijaz with their trade caravans. While entering through the Meccan gate one first stopped to pay his respect and then set forth to go about his business, or took a short rest and or joined into discussions with other persons and followers who believed in one mighty God. But most important is the fact that at the time, everybody who believed in the mighty God had the right to enter the Kaabah. It is also true that in time of need the Kaabah was there to offer shelter and refuge to people in need. Once again, at the time it did not matter who or from where the people came from - the Kaabah's duty was to help.

One can but imagine how many persons arrived from all these distant countries and tribes to this holy house of God. Logically this fact should also let us understand why there were so many different idols placed in and on the Kaabah. However, in early days these idols were merely a kind of gifts, an offering to the Kaabah, meant as a kind of thank you - while other persons might have left a sheep, salt, sugar or other goods for the Kaabah - well, whatever one wished to share. Today, similar gestures are still practiced within churches - by people giving a little money and light a candle.

According to scholars, the Kaabah's main idol was Hubal and that he was carved out of red agate. According to scholars, the idol was bought by the Quraishy chieftain Amr = Amir ibn Luh'ay (Luh'ayy = Aji) during a business trip to Mesopotamia, who then brought the idol with him by caravan to the kingdom of Hijaz in ca. 170 A.D. Please note that this incident took place around 400 years before the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

So, when Amr ibn Luh'ay entered with his caravan through the Meccan gate he naturally went first to the holy house of God in order to pay his respect and at the same time placed Hubal there. This was a gift worthy of a king and at the time brought lots of pride and prestige to the Kaabah. Note: Meaning of Hubal in Aramaic = SPIRIT = [divine in origine (ancestors)].

But it is also possible to visualize that Amr ibn Luh'ay undertook this trip for two reasons. Firstly, to advanture for new trade possibilities and secondly, to use the occasion to visit Abraham's (his forefather's) birthplace. If this visit did in fact happen, then such an impressive trade caravan would not have remained unnoticed. The local chieftains must have sent out for Amr ibn Luh'ay and ask him to come and join them. Once there, he most likely told them from where he had come from and why. When the chieftains learned of his noble descent they naturally would take him to see the temple of one of their most precious idols, Hubal. Let us remember that Hubal was said to have been carved out of red agate. We also must be aware that at the time this kind of stone was rather rare but especially so when of large size and therefore most valuable. This is why an idol carved out in red agate was more than just an idol - it was their patrimoine. And with regards to the broken arm - well, perhaps it was the idol which was spared by Abraham from being destroyed!???

Having the noble descendant and chieftain of the holy house of God amongst them, it could be possible that the local chieftains entrusted the chieftain Amr ibn Luh'ay to take Hubal and to place him in the Kaabah. Hence, an ancient patrimoine could remind the descendants of Abraham of their forefather's origin, while back in Mesopotamia, the local citizen were assured to be represented by Hubal within one of the most holy houses of God and further were automatically protected by the descendants of the kingdom of Hijaz as both were linked to Abraham.

A Reminder

In 630 A.D., after the bloodless victory at Mecca, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) went and destroyed all the idols on and within the Kaabah, except for:

the al-Hajar al-Aswad the "Navel of the World"

He did so because the Kaabah turned to be used for business and monopoly rather than for education and worship. Once again the followers had distant themselves from the right path.

They had abolished and forgotten the right ways of life

they have forgotten God's law.

Therefore, prophet Muhammad (pbuh) went and did just as Abraham had done before him.
Through the Torah, the Bible and the Koran we are told of another similar matter which had taken place in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus - Jesus throwing out their businesses and their idols from within the holy house of God. Abraham who went to the temple and destroyed all the idols except for one and afterwards had to leave his father's house, and prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who repeated the same at the Kaabah. A simple repeat of history or a warning from God !???

[Today, only few gifts remain within the Kaabah as a reminder of the past. Some are inscribed in Sanskrit, some are even engraved with a cross, there are also various inscriptions on the walls in Aramaic, Greek, Latin, Arabic etc.!]

Through this act prophet Muhammad (pbuh) liberated the people, so the people

may once again open their eyes to see,

may once again open their ears to hear and

may once again open