Montrouge, February 8, 1931

My Dear Friends,

I have received with great pleasure a postcard with your best wishes for the Aid Al Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice) and I pray to Allah that we will live such a day in a Morocco filled with dignity and good fortune. I just left our country this week after having spent the month of Ramadan with our friends Mohammed El Fassi and Naciri who are still there. I was happy to learn that you have registered at the Islamic University of which I have heard much good about, both in terms of the discipline and firmness they bring to bear on the Arab-Islamic culture. I was also pleased to know you are in Beirut which I had the opportunity to visit two years ago. I have a particular affection for this city and I appreciate very much the kindness and generosity of its inhabitants as well the spontaneity of their welcome. Such qualities of these nationals are not surprising for a region that is considered the cradle of our civilization and the main center of our culture.

Mr. Mohammed ben Moubarak from Rabat has asked me about the possibility of sending his two sons to pursue their studies in Beirut. Could you provide us further information on the system of education in Lebanon and the registration requirements so that I many respond to the person concerned?

I am sure that you spare no effort to make the most of your education and that you feel at ease despite being away from home. Praise be to Allah that you will be in the good graces of your nation and that you will be counted among the most devoted sons to your fatherland.

Seated: Haj Ahmed Balafrej. Standing to his right: Mohammed Hajji beside Mohammed Zouaoui. To the far left: Abdellatif Sbihi. Photographed in 1927.