Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director-General (DG) of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), visited Dar El Bacha Museum, located in the old town of Marrakech, upon the special invitation of Mr. Mehdi Qotbi, President of the National Foundation of Museums of Morocco. The visit followed laying the foundation stone of the Intangible Heritage Museum in Jamaa el-Fna Square, as part of the Partnership Agreement between ICESCO and the National Foundation of Museums.

Dr. Abdelaziz El Idrissi, Director of Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat, and Ms. Salima Ait Mubarak, Curator of Dar El Bacha Museum, elucidate on the history of the museum stating that Dar El Bacha is one of the treasures of the Moroccan architecture in Marrakech. Built in 1910, Dar El Bacha palace was the residence of Thami Glaoui, who became the Pasha of Marrakesh, in 1912, upon the decision of Sultan Moulay Yusuf. After its restoration, the palace has become a museum that King Mohammed VI of Morocco inaugurated on July 9, 2017.

Dr. El Idrissi and Ms. Ait Mubarak explained that the renovation preserved and restored the palace’s interior design, including the engraved and painted wooden doors, black and white marble floors, colorful mosaic ceilings, and polished columns. They also pointed out that many international celebrities visited the museum, including the French composer, Joseph Maurice Ravel; the famous comedian, Charlie Chaplin; the American artist, Josephine Baker; and the late British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.