Ambassador Mohammed ibn 'Abd al-Malik, Pasha of Tangier, visits Vienna on February 14, 1783
After 1783
Kunsthistorisches Museum
Vienna, Austria
Austrian diplomatic relations with Morocco began in the late 18th century.
Le consul Joseph Raffo (painting)
1840
Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd
Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia
The arrival of Suleiman Pasha, envoy of the Porte, in Giurgiu
1848
National Museum of Romanian History
Bucharest, Romania
In the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire faced increasing sedition in its eastern European provinces. In 1831, Süleyman Pasha, the Ottoman sultan’s envoy, was dispatched to Romania to investigate goings-on there. With his troops gathered around him for the purpose of intimidation, he is seen here meeting with a Romanian delegation in Giurgiu, a Romanian port on the Danube.
Le général Khaireddine (painting)
1852
Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd
Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia
Mohamed Sadok Pacha Bey (painting)
1861
Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd
Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia
Painting of Vittorio Emanuele II, King of Italy
1862
Musée d’Histoire Moderne et Contemporaine de Kassar Saïd
Le Bardo, Tunis, Tunisia
Portrait of Sultan Abdülaziz (1830–1876)
1867
Austrian National Library
Vienna, Austria
In 1867, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz (Abdülaziz) was the first Ottoman sultan to visit Europe. He subsequently sustained particularly strong links with Britain, France and Russia, although the latter repeatedly supported rebels in the Ottomans’ eastern European provinces.
1867
National Library of France
Paris, France
Royal visits from the Arab and Ottoman world often coincided with World\'s Trade Fairs in London or Paris. In 1867, Isma‘il Pasha, Viceroy of Egypt, visited the French emperor and his wife Eugénie in Paris. Here, they are pictured on a tour of the “Egyptian Park”, which was intended, at least in part, to celebrate and consolidate relations with Egypt.
‘Abd-al-Hamid (Abdülhamid) II (1842–1918)
After 1876
Austrian National Library
Vienna, Austria
In 1867, ‘Abd-al-Hamid (later ‘Abd al-Hamid II or Abdülhamid II), accompanied his uncle, Sultan ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, on what was the first visit by an Ottoman sultan to Europe, including Austria, France and England.
1890
Central State Archives of Italy
Rome, Italy
1890
Central State Archives of Italy
Rome, Italy
This seating plan provides fascinating testimony to the elaborate and often rigid European ceremonial with which diplomatic staff from the Arab and Ottoman world had to familiarise themselves when attending official functions.
1890
State Library of Modern and Contemporary History
Rome, Italy
This image provides a fascinating glimpse at the challenges underlying 19th-century diplomatic encounters: the costumes and poses of the Moroccan dignitaries and their Italian counterparts subtly suggest very different world views and attitudes.
1890
State Library of Modern and Contemporary History
Rome, Italy
This collage shows scenes from the Moroccan ambassador’s visit to Rome in 1890. Pictured are: the ambassador’s interpreter Lamfaddal Elkabbagi; the ambassador himself in his carriage; his servants Hamed and Pà Nadan; and two children, all of whom are part of the ambassador’s entourage.
Photograph of a diplomatic visit to England
Early 20th century
General Library and Archives
Tetouan, Morocco
From the 19th to the early 20th century (1904), Morocco maintained particularly strong relations with Great Britain. This image shows M. Hajj Muhammad al-Zebdi, the envoy of Moroccan Sultan Mulay al-Hasan I, with his entourage at the court of Queen Victoria in London.
Photograph of diplomatic visit to England
Early 20th century
General Library and Archives
Tetouan, Morocco
Throughout the 19th and into the early 20th century, the strong ties Morocco maintained with Great Britain in particular greatly influenced the internal politics, administration and economy of the country. ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn ‘Abd al-Sadiq al-Rifi, ambassador to Sultan Mulay ‘Abd al-‘Aziz of Morocco, was sent to the court of King Edward VII in 1902.
1920
Italian Institute for African and Oriental Studies
Rome, Italy
In 1920, Italy recognised Idris al-Sanusi’s British-endorsed status as Emir of Cyrenaica and invited him to Rome to meet the King. After Italy’s attack on Libya, Idris went into exile in Egypt and encouraged anti-Italian guerrilla warfare.
1920
Italian Institute for African and Oriental Studies
Rome, Italy
Sayyid Muhammad Idris al-Mahdi al-Sanusi (1889–1983), who had been head of the Sufi Sanusi order since 1916, proved sympathetic towards European interests in what is now Libya. He later became King Idris I of Libya.
Set of pictures documenting the visit of King Fu`ad to Italy
1927
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
Alexandria, Egypt
In 1917, the British de facto rulers of Egypt had selected Ahmad Fu’ad II (1868–1936) to become the first King of Egypt. During his subsequent European tour in 1927, an important stop was made in Italy with which Egypt held very close ties, not least due to the large and influential Italian community residing its midst. Here, the king is pictured visiting an electrical power station at Santa Croce, in the Veneto region.