Caid Ahmed Ben Adel Explained

Caid Ahmed Ben Adel was a Moroccan diplomat.[1]

Career

Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour sent Caid Ahmed Ben Adel to England in 1595 to establish the foundations for the Anglo-Moroccan alliance against Spain.[2] By 1600, the alliance was formalized with the assistance of Moroccan Ambassador Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud, Rais Merzouk Ahmed Benkacem, and Caid Ahmed Ben Adel.[2]

Subsequently, Al Mansour appointed Caid Ahmed Ben Adel as Morocco's ambassador to England.[2] In 1595, Ben Adel led a diplomatic mission to England, accompanied by two other caids (corsair leaders) and a delegation of 25 to 30 individuals. Similar to Abdelouahed Anoun, Ben Adel's presence influenced William Shakespeare's work.[2] Gitanjali Shahani posits that the character "the Prince of Morocco" in Shakespeare's play The Merchant of Venice was inspired by Caid Ahmed Ben Adel.[2]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Book: مُـلين, محمّد نبيل. السلطان الشريف – الجذور الدينية والسياسية للدولة المخزنية في المغرب. October 17, 2016. Centre Jacques-Berque. 199–236. OpenEdition Books.
  2. Web site: Moroccan diplomats #10 : Ahmed Ben Adel aka Shakespeare’s «Prince of Morocco». Yabiladi.