In a gesture of extreme happiness after her daughter's birth, King Mohammed VI of Morocco has pardoned almost 9,000 prisoners and reduced the sentences of more than 24,000 prisoners.

According to the Justice Ministry, the King, in an act of kindness, pardoned 1,365 prisoners under age 20. That included 278 foreigners and 53 women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or accompanied by their children. He also took pity on 63 sick or disabled prisoners and 167 elderly inmates.

Although Morocco has not executed any inmate since 1994, the King commuted eleven death sentences. Maghreb Arab Presse called it the largest of all the royal pardons since 2005, when 10,000 prisoners were pardoned in honor of the 50th anniversary of Moroccan independence

Pardoning the inmates is a common practice in this North African nation. Such pardons are carried out to mark national and religious holidays and special occasions.

In 2005, more than 7,000 were pardoned to mark the circumcision of Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan. Princess Lalla Khadija is the King's second child and first daughter. She was born on Wednesday.