Morocco

General

Morocco A country like Morocco defies description, is more than mere words can tell. One can of course draw up a list of essential facts. But no matter how exhaustive, can such data be anything more than an oversimplified and artificial document? We can however give it a try. Morocco, set at the northwestern extremity of the African continent, is bordered by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic Ocean, Algeria and Mauritania. Europe lies practically a stone’s throw away, just across the Strait of Gibraltar. At present the population of Morocco numbers somewhat more than 23 million. The climate is temperate to warm. The government is a constitutional democratic and social monarchy which guarantees the plurality of the political parties. Islam is the state religion but freedom of worship is guaranteed. The official language is Arabic. However a list of this sort, which could be continued and completed ad infinitum, cannot explain how the specific character of this country was formed and what it is. It is not enough to illustrate the results of the slow construction and patient work of time and man. It cannot evoke the beauty of a sunset in Marrakesh or the perfume of the roses which fills the air of Kelaa Megouna in the month of February. No description in words can give us the taste of the mint tea, the bustle of the souks, the generosity manifested on the occasion of the moussem; the feeling of devotion stirred up by a visit to the mausoleum of Mohammed V in Rabat or the Zaouia Nassiriya in Tamegroute, the fervor which marked the resistance to foreign occupation in the “Battle of the Three Kings” or during the struggle for independence under the aegis of the man who was still called Sultan Ben Yusuf, the solidarity demonstrated during the construction of the way to unity, the reconstruction of Agadir, after the floods of the Oued Ziz, during the glorious “Green March” or, more recently, the contribution to the construction of the mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca. This is what Morocco is. A united people, resolute and like-minded. A people ready to accept the challenges presented by their geographic position and their history. In this respect the ruins of Lixus, the town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun or that of Rissani are much more meaningful than any other modern city. The village of Agdz, firm and staunch in the face of the assault of modernity, reflects eternal Morocco so much better than the seaside resorts on the Mediterranean coast: can a copy compete with the original or be its equal in greatness and wealth? This does not mean that the new, the modern are lacking in beauty, intensity or symbolism, but the soul of the country or a people is not always there where one expects to find it. Casablanca, with its skyscrapers, its broad thoroughfares, represents Morocco of the 20th century, Morocco on the road to progress, Morocco making show of its open-mindedness, its creativity and the commitment of its people. But not even the most sophisticated of computers could ever render an account of the generosity of the Moroccan people, of their legendary hospitality, the wealth of crafts, the variety of culinary arts, their devotion to the sacred values of Islam, the monarchy and the territorial unity. It is a collection of unquantifiable values which elude the predominant logic of modern life. Who would dare to affirm that traditional Morocco is incapable of resisting the depersonalization of modern times? The inhabitants have long shown that they were capable of perpetuating those values which favor the continuity of the country and which allow its specific character to be safeguarded. A point of encounter, Morocco has always opened itself to others throughout its history without betraying its own essential nature. Geography has endowed Morocco with an exceptional natural aperture, making it a crossroads for civilizations and a privileged witness to historical events. Dominating the western part of the Mediterranean a few kilometers from the European continent, on the principal axes that lead towards America or the East, firmly united to Africa, from earliest times Morocco has experienced the greatness and the vicissitudes inherent in its strategic position. The limits that derive from its geographic position actually constitute an advantage. Coveted by many, both then and now, this position also favored national unity, the birth and development of what makes Morocco unique. It was enriched by this opening towards the outside world and the ensuing contacts, and it was this encounter which gave shape to its distinctive identity. To cite just one example: when the Romans settled in Volubilis, they adapted their architecture to the lie of the land and the pre-existing city, founded by Juba II, as well as to the ornamental motives dear to the people of that time. The result was the lovely city of Volubilis. While not completely Roman, it none the less bears witness to the greatness of its builders and their considerable adaptability. The reciprocal influences bore fruit and the adjustments involved are tokens of an unbroken continuous evolution from which both parts unquestionably benefited. Another symbol: Islam. This religion rapidly conquered the heart of the Moroccans, who became its strenuous defenders. Their constant systematic commitment in defense of the Islamic faith in Morocco hardly needs mentioning. The resistance to foreign occupation in Tangiers, El Jadida, Essaouira, Agadir, Chechaouen... amply testify to this fact. Moreover Muslim Morocco has always played an active part in spreading Islam. Ever since Okba Ibn Nafi reined in his horse before the Atlantic Ocean, the Moroccan people have always worked to overcome the obstacles that the sea placed to the advance of the territory of Islam. They took up Okba’s torch and moved towards Europe. Tarik Ibn Ziyad crossed the Strait of Gibraltar with an army of eight thousand men and succeeded in converting the Spaniards en masse. He thrust as far as Poitiers. Later, numerous inhabitants of Africa and some of the Arab countries were persuaded by the Moroccans to embrace the faith of Islam and to reinforce the rank and file of Muslims. Still today the commitment of Morocco for the cause of Islam cannot be denied. Morocco was host to the first Islamic conference, which it promoted after the fire in the mosque of Jerusalem. One of the outcomes of this conference was the Islamic conference organization which nowadays is marked by its dynamism, its aspirations and its multiple initiatives. On the other hand, in this fortress of Islam, the presence of the faith is manifested both in private and public life by the Moroccans and the outstanding position this religion at present occupies is the result of numerous centuries of history. Ever since the arrival of Idriss I on Moroccan soil and the founding of the Idrissid dynasty, Islam has become the keystone of the socio-political system. Neither the past, nor the present can be understood unless they are seen in this light. When the founder of the Idrissid dynasty was assassinated by the Abbassids, what was it that stopped the Moroccans from taking back the power that had remained vacant? Idriss II had not yet been born and could not succeed his father until several years later. Loyal to the founder who was above all a descendent of the Prophet, and in respect of the commitment assumed with their oath of loyalty, the Moroccans saw to the education of the child who, at the age of eleven, was nominated successor to his father. As a result, the attachment to Islam and the capacity of the Moroccans to defend the faith guaranteed the continuity of power and the legitimacy of the sultans. This was the case with the Almoravids who introduced the Malikite rites into Morocco and which are still observed. And the same holds true for the title of Amir El Mouminine (commander of the faithfid), used for the first time in Morocco by Yusuf ibn-Tashfin, and at present appearing in the constitution as the principal title of the head of State. In the period of the Almohad dynasty, the sultan Abd al-Mumin “founded the greatest empire of the west which ever existed” before taking on himself the title of Caliph and ordering that the prayers be recited in his name. All the greatness of the Merinids is bound to the holy war they fought and the religious monuments they built. Appealing to the religious sentiments of the Moroccans, the Saadians came to power, committing themselves with determination in the holy war (jihad). They freed numerous cities from foreign occupation. Ahmed al-Mansur spread Islam in Africa and reached as far as Timbuctoo. He strenuously opposed the Turks. The Alaouite dynasty was predestined to take up this task. Resistance against foreign occupation and the management of public affairs in conformity with the dogmas and the religious precepts are a recurrent feature in this dynasty. Moulay Ismail freed Tangiers from English occupation and took back Mehdia and Larache from the Spaniards. Sidi Mohammed ben-Abdallah did the same for El Jadid and Agadir, pushing the Spanish back into their Mediterranean strongholds. Moulay Sliman ensured the guardianship of his country by creating contrasts between the various powers. Still too young, Moulay Abd al-Aziz was incapable of opposing foreign expansionistic aims and the oulema (men of religion) preferred his brother Moulay Hafid. After signing the treaty of the protectorate imposed by France, Moulay Hafid abdicated and placed the power in the hands of his brother Moulay Yusuf. Some years later, in 1930, France mistakenly interpreted the rivalry between Arabs and Berbers and a dahir was promulgated which withdrew the latter from Islamic jurisdiction. Everywhere manifestations of protest took place and riots broke out against what was interpreted as an attempt at Christianization. In all the mosques the Moroccans repeated these words: “God, let us not be separated from our brothers”. The resistance was organized and the signs of protest against the protectorate multiplied until independence was obtained. The Feast of the Throne celebrated first in 1934 to renew and confirm the act of loyalty which unites the sovereign to his people, became particularly meaningful in 1956. King Hassan II applied himself to constructing a modern State with adequate norms and institutions. This is why the Constitution of Morocco is often compared to the one which France acquired in 1958. Despite the similarity of the text, an eminent place is reserved to Muslim public law. The old and the new each enrich the other. In this domain, as in that of architecture, of music, of painting, of cinema, of theatre, of culture, of the culinary arts, of customs, the opening to the outside bowed to the needs of the continuity of the tradition. Naturally, as King Hassan II affirmed, “Morocco takes care not to live in the past. It only uses its past as a source from which to draw the great examples and teachings which can lead it towards the future”.