Blog 1: Race, Ethnicity, Culture, or Religion

 

During our travels through both Tangier and Chefchaouen, I was curious about Morocco's overall tolerance of different identities. In Tangier, we were informed of Black soldiers conscripted to wage war as a product of slavery conducted by both Portugal and Morocco, while at Chefchaouen, we learned of the incredible religious tolerance practiced by King Mohammed V and the overall citizenry of Morocco. These two facts led me to question the treatment of Black populations within Morocco, as a way to see if this tremendous level of religious tolerance also extended to the category of race. 

The Black populations of Morocco consist largely of Black Amazigh natives, descendants of trans-Saharan slave routes, and a developing population of sub-Saharan African migrants. Altogether, these groups make up roughly 10 percent of Morocco’s population, with most residing in the country’s southern regions (Minority Rights Group, 2023). Unfortunately, the Black populations of Morocco are subjected to severe forms of racism. To start, Morocco does not have a specific anti-discrimination law, particularly one outlawing racial discrimination. Black Moroccans face constant barriers to social, political, and economic life on top of a general culture of radicalized violence and hate speech in which they are the subject of much abuse (Stephen, J. K. 2020; Pouessel, 2012; Minority Rights Group, 2023). These racial divides affect all aspects of culture and life in Morocco. For example, after a victory over Spain in the 2022 World Cup, Moroccan player Sofiane Boufal dedicated the victory to “Arabs, Muslims, and Moroccans” without any mention of Africans or Africa (Bodjoko, 2023). This example perfectly outlines the divide within Morocco, as the primarily Muslim non-Black populations exert a constant and unyielding level of discrimination and prejudice against the Black populations that reside within their country. 

After learning about how intensive and widespread anti-Black racism was within Morocco, I felt beyond upset and disappointed. Here lies a country capable of practicing substantial levels of religious acceptance and coexistence, yet its majority non-Black population does not extend such tolerance to members of a different minority race. I find this widespread systemic racism deeply troubling, and I believe the most immediate source of relief for this issue would be found in establishing an anti-discrimination law within Morocco. Though this is an admittedly low bar, it must be cleared to ensure a future free of race-based discrimination in the country. Additionally, I believe that there must be active campaigns meant to highlight the existence of Black Moroccans and fight discrimination and hate speech. It is with these two measures that I believe the most work will be done, as they will protect from the threat of radicalized violence and discrimination, and provide a platform to give support and a voice to the Black populations within Morocco who have endured a constant barrage of abuse for generations. 

Bodjoko, J.-P. (2023, July 28). Sub-Saharan Africa and the Maghreb: identity crisis, racism, conflict. La Civilta Catolica. https://www.laciviltacattolica.com/sub-saharan-africa-and-the-maghreb/amp/

Minority Rights Group. (2023, November). Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Review of MOROCCO – 19th -21st Periodic Reports – November 2023 Fact Sheet on the situation of Black Moroccans, migrants and Amazigh Indigenous peoples in Morocco. Minority Rights Group International. https://minorityrights.org/app/uploads/2024/01/cerd-morocco-factsheet-en-final.pdf

Stephanie Pouessel, Noir Au Maghreb (Tunis: IRMC, 2012)

Stephen, J. K. (2020, September 21). Ending Denial: Anti-Black racism in Morocco. Arab Reform Initiative. https://www.arab-reform.net/publication/ending-denial-anti-black-racism-in-morocco/