Interview: Morocco's national jigsaw includes Jews

31/08/2007

Maguy Kakon heads the list of candidates representing the Social Centre Party (PCS) in Morocco's 2007 legislative elections. In an interview with Magharebia, the first Jewish woman to stand for election reveals her decisions and ambitions.

Interview by Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Casablanca – 31/08/2007

[Hassan Benmehdi] Maguy Kakon (right) with a group of women in Derb Sultan neighbourhood of Casablanca.

Social Centre Party candidate Maguy Kakon aims to be the first Jewish woman elected to serve in the Moroccan parliament. Kakon took a break from her campaign to speak with Magharebia about her Moroccan identity and her political intentions.

Magharebia: Why are you standing for office in a Muslim country when you're Jewish?

Maguy Kakon: I consider myself to be a Moroccan citizen. I’m a Moroccan first and foremost. I’m not in politics to preach my religion or to say that I belong to this or that religion. My religion is an asset and a difference which will bring cultural diversity, and so much the better for that. But for me, the most important thing is to be involved as a citizen of Morocco.

Getting into politics is a right and I'm exercising it freely and without any obstacles. I'm now running my election campaign and doing so on a non-religious basis. As for my religion, it’s purely a personal faith which I put to one side. I believe religion is something inside us which shouldn’t interfere with politics.

Magharebia: During your election campaign you went to Hay Moulay Rachid, one of Casablanca’s most deprived districts. Tell us, how did people welcome you?

Kakon: I was truly happy. I got a warm welcome. We spoke to young and not-so-young people, women wearing the veil and old men. We went around the whole district. As women on an election visit lasting over three hours, we didn’t have any problems or difficulties. We talked to young people who are disappointed but still hopeful that change will come about. We were still able to awaken some hope in them. We tried to explain to them that they have to believe in change. I hope we’ll continue in the same vein. People told us about their problems, too. We answered not by making promises, but by telling them that change is a battle which has to be fought from one day to the next. Magharebia: Why did you choose the Social Centre Party?

Kakon: Firstly, I’ve always been a woman who is committed to supporting various causes. I joined the PCS and support its programme and ideas because quite simply, they’re in tune with my beliefs and my vision. Also, the PCS is a young party at the centre of the political field, because we want to be moderate and innovative. The centre is set to become the true path for politics. What’s more, the PCS hasn’t been worn away by the workings of politics.

Magharebia: What are the strong points of your election programme?

Kakon: Our programme focuses on education, employment, young people and rural areas. We plan to continue with our efforts to further women’s rights under the Moudawana.

Our [main assets] are… our credibility and the strength of the message we’re going to send out to voters. Whatever happens, though, we’ll have to wait and see what the verdict is from the ballot boxes.

Magharebia: What do you think about the idea of women participating in politics?

Kakon: I think Moroccan women have made convincing progress so far. We can’t go back now. The democratic process has made great strides in our country.