Diplomacy: the Moroccan ambassador facing his historic predecessor

During a visit to the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, in Birmingham, the Moroccan Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Hakim Hajoui, admired the famous portrait of Abd el-Ouahed ben Messaoud ben Mohammed Anoun, a 16th century Moroccan diplomat.

This work, the first British painting depicting a Muslim figure, illustrates the historical links between Morocco and the United Kingdom, established more than 400 years ago.

“A powerful symbol of our ancient relations and the importance of cultural institutions in preserving our shared history,” Mr Hajoui said.