Writer discusses her novel and situation of Moroccan women

03/11/2006

Young Moroccan Sanaa Elaji published her first novel "Majnounatou Youssouf" in 2003. She discussed the book and her thoughts about Moroccan women with Magharebia.

By Farah Kinani for Magharebia in Washington – 03/11/06

[File] Elaji

Sanaa Elaji, a 29-year-old Moroccan, graduated from ECSA business school in Casablanca. After school, she had small acting parts and began work as a production manager. She published a novel called "Majnounatou Youssef in 2003 and now works in advertising.

Magharebia: What can you tell us about your novel "Majnounatou Youssouf"?

Sanna Elaji: It's a story I'd have liked to have lived myself. In fact, I'm a little disappointed by what I see or what is going on around me. I want to experience real passion -- perhaps it will be disappointing at the end -- but I'd prefer to live it all the same.

Magharebia: When will there be a second part to your novel?

Elaji: I think that a sequel to a first novel is always a disappointment. It's certainly true that I'm constantly being asked this question, but I know I'm not going to do it.

I wrote and published this novel because I wanted to do it and I was happy with it. I neither provoked its writing or its publication. And that's how my second one will come about. And it will certainly have nothing to do with the first.

Magharebia: What do you think of "Majnounatou Youssouf" being categorised by some as a "women's" novel?

Elaji: I reject that description. I do not categorise myself and I refuse to let others categorise or pigeonhole me. You don't write because you're a man or a woman. You express yourself irrespective of your gender, age, nationality or religion!

Magharebia: Are you a feminist?

Elaji: Actually, I don't know, but I often ask myself that question. Certainly, there are things about the situation of women that revolt me, especially in the attitudes of women themselves.

But I don't really like to be called a feminist. I'm exasperated when I see the way that society in general views women, but what exasperates me even more is the passivity of certain women who are complicit in the role imposed on them by society.

One woman I know, who is educated and comfortable with herself, is being beaten by her husband and all she can say to me is that the important thing is that he comes back to her. Educated, independent women want to get married at any price, just for the social status. It's inconceivable!

To some extent, it's natural for a man not to try to change things too much; he's happy to remain master of the situation.

Another way of seeing things that I just do not understand is when a new wife with no children tells you, "If we had the money, I'd stay at home." She contributes financially to the home only through necessity and not because of any need for personal fulfilment.

In the end, each man wants to retain the privileges he has inherited without even trying to bring about change. He's the lord and master and she is submissive but taken care of. And surely it isn't by bringing children up in such an environment that Moroccan families will manage to bring in a new way of thinking based on confidence and a real sense of sharing.

Magharebia: What do you think of the new family law in Morocco?

Elaji: The changes certainly represent a good development, but are certainly not revolutionary. Now we need to work on mindsets, which is surely a much more difficult task.

I'll give you an example. Now a Moroccan woman can demand certain things from her future husband and set them out in a marriage contract. However, many couples will say to you, "A contract? Why? We're not thinking about getting divorced!"

But me, when I take out insurance for my car, it doesn't mean that I want to have an accident! I'm simply protecting myself. So mindsets have to change too and that's the biggest challenge.