orig. Sīdī Muḥammad ibn Yūsuf
born Aug. 10, 1909, Fès, Mor.
died Feb. 26, 1961, Rabat
Sultan (1927–57) and king (1957–61) of Morocco.
On his father's death, he was appointed sultan of French-ruled Morocco over his two brothers, largely because the French expected him to be more compliant. His nationalist feelings were subtly expressed throughout his rule. He protected Moroccan Jews from the Vichy occupation in World War II (1939–45). In 1953 the French exiled him for two years, but sustained nationalist pressure forced them to let him return. In 1956 he negotiated independence from France; the following year he took the title of king.