“In a world in search of reference points where otherness has become conflictual instead of being a source of wealth, we can only contemplate with exaltation the emergence of a generation carrying the values of peace, diversity and humanism which make the strength and singularity of Morocco today”, said Mr. Azoulay who led a conference on “Diversity at the heart of social modernity in Morocco: issues and promises for tomorrow” at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of the Mohammed V University of Rabat.
In front of a packed hall composed mainly of students, teachers and intellectuals, the Advisor to HM the King praised the merits of the national education system, rich in its human resources “of great quality” who cultivate in students “this humanism which has evaporated in so many places around us”.
“The spearhead of any society that aspires to modernity, education is a national priority in our country,” which has spared no effort or resources to raise its level, aware of its major role in consecrating the Moroccan model of diversity, which is a textbook example in a world suffering from the resurgence of extremism and cultural archaisms, noted Mr. Azoulay.
“Diversity is not an academic or rhetorical concept, but it is a reality embodied by today’s Morocco which, unlike other nations, has been able to resist amnesia and demonstrate lucidity by assuming this plurality written in its DNA and enshrined in the Fundamental Law,” argued Mr. Azoulay, seeing there “a Moroccan success” and a “unique model in the world.”
In a speech at the opening of the conference, the dean of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of Rabat, Jamal Eddine El Hani, highlighted the great human qualities and the illustrious career of the speaker, “one of the major figures in the cultural and civilizational field of our country and the region”.
Referring to the Moroccan experience in promoting the values of diversity and pluralism, Mr. El Hani highlighted the initiatives undertaken under the leadership of HM the King for the preservation of Jewish-Moroccan memory, in particular the creation of Bayt Dakira in Essaouira, the inclusion of Jewish history and culture in school curricula and the rehabilitation of a group of synagogues across the Kingdom.
“Particular attention must be paid to this heritage which is our pride and our singularity and whose contribution is undeniable in all areas, including literature, art, crafts, gastronomy…”, he pleaded.
Faithful to this duty of remembrance towards this essential component of Moroccan identity, the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of Rabat has published a set of theses, translations and research works on Jewish history and culture, as well as organized a series of meetings and debates on this subject, said Mr. El Hani.
Speaking at this meeting, Ijjou Cheikh Moussa, professor of poetry and rhetoric and researcher in Jewish culture, emphasized the responsibility of the university and the media to promote a better knowledge of the history of Moroccan Judaism, emphasizing that “knowledge is the best antidote against ignorance and extremism.”
A land of cultural mixing between Muslims and Jews, Arabs and Amazighs, Morocco presents to the world a unique model of its kind in terms of diversity management, which would benefit from being instilled in future generations, she stressed.
This conference, which was attended by personalities from the political, diplomatic and cultural world, in addition to an audience of students and teacher-researchers, is organized as part of the “Thursday Talks” conference cycle hosted by the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of Rabat since 2019.
2024-08-26 04:56:36