Ahmed Assid optimistic about inclusion of Amazigh in Moroccan Constitution
2006-04-25
In an interview with Magharebia, Amazigh scholar Ahmed Assid discusses the chances of realising the demand for Amazigh to be recognised as an official language in the Moroccan Constitution.
By Lahcen Moqnia for Magharebia in Casablanca -- 25/04/06
 [File] Assid confirms the Amazigh want language recognition and democratisation of local authorities and the powers granted to these authorities. |
Morocco is considering constitutional changes as King Mohammad VI has embraced the recommendations of the Equity and Reconciliation Commission. One potential reform is the Amazigh demand for recognition of their language as an official language in the Moroccan Constitution. Amazigh scholar Ahmed Assid, a member of the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture, discusses the issue in an interview with Magharebia.
Magharebia: What are the chances of realising the Amazigh demand for recognition of their language as an official language in the Moroccan Constitution?
Ahmed Assid: I am optimistic. At the moment, consensus exists among the political leadership in Morocco over the need to determine clearly the dimensions of Moroccan identity, including the Amazigh dimension, in the preamble to the Constitution, thereby recognising the right of Amazigh to be a national language.
This represents an important development compared to the 1990s when even the very mention of the Amazigh language was unacceptable. But this will not meet the full demands of the Amazigh movement. What we expect from the anticipated constitutional reforms concerns not only the issue of Amazigh language recognition, but also the democratisation of local authorities and the powers which are granted to these authorities, which will assist in raising Amazigh status.
Magharebia: Four years after the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture was established on the initiative of King Mohammad VI, how would you evaluate its achievements?
Assid: The institute's first achievement was to carry the Amazigh struggle off the streets and into the "establishment". For the first time in history, we have an official body gathering together great and well-renowned experts in the Amazigh field, enabling them to work collectively on comprehensive strategies.
The institute has succeeded in introducing Amazigh language programmes into the education system on the grounds that the teaching of Amazigh should be available to every Moroccan as a national language. Work is also being done to gradually standardise the Amazigh language within educational establishments, promote the writing of Amazigh in its original "Tifinagh" and introduce teaching of the language in all schools.
The institute has also produced an Amazigh textbook using the latest teaching methods, with a new content based on universal human values and a universal strategy to introduce Amazigh into audio and visual media. It has also succeeded in getting 30 per cent of television programmes on national channels to be broadcast in Amazigh.
Magharebia: The Azetta Association proposes an initiative to establish an alternative body to the Royal Institute, which it criticises for lacking independence. What is your opinion of this initiative?
Assid: Azetta has not offered any written account of its evaluation of the institute's work. Regarding independence, I believe that the institute's presence at the King's side grants it greater independence in practice, which would not be the case if it belonged to the government, as the Azetta association claims.
The work of the government is tied to directives of political parties and the big Moroccan parties are known for their hostility towards the Amazigh. It is well-known in Morocco that controversial issues regarding women, for example, or the Amazigh, can only be resolved by references to the rulings of the royal establishment and the powers granted to it by the Constitution. We favour exploiting these powers in order to strengthen democracy and human rights in our country.
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الحسين Posted 2006-11-12
I agree with Ahmed Assid in having Al Mahdali as assistant to the King. As an Amazigh, the brothers must think clearly. There are many lessons our people can take from the best of which is the Jewish experience. They were persecuted but today they have a place in the world. Another example is the Irish people in the seventies who rised from mere workers in Sweden to a powerful nation with a language and recognition. Amazigh must unite against the Andalusians and Arabs because this is our nation and language and identity so that our children can live with dignity and freedom.
ahmed Posted 2007-03-30
I do agree with Professor Assid, all Moroccans are Amazighs, culturally and anthropologically. The Amazigh soul should be resurrected.
naima Posted 2007-04-21
I agree with Mr. Wikhal Ahmed Assid.
اوعبيد Posted 2007-05-08
Professor Ahmed Assid is a great militant and I respect him but I blame him for his critic of all Islamic movement
hassan amazigh Posted 2007-06-12
Greetings, I agree with Mr Assid and respect Morocco a lot- it's our country and Tamazight our language, and Islam our religion, the life of Tamazight will never be broken or bowed, Tamazight will remain standing.
ouakhzan massinissa Posted 2007-07-12
I totally agree with our famous philospher Assid. I would like to say greetings to you, and greetings to all the Amazigh.
bouchaib Posted 2007-10-23
I respect our great professor Ahmed Assid and thank him for his support of Tamazight.
abdelkabir Posted 2008-01-13
I respect professor Assid who is known for defending the Amazigh issue. I tell him, I wish you wellness my brother. Long live Tamazight.
zahira de tafrawt Posted 2008-01-22
Hi, this makes us happy to see people like professor Ahmed Assid who defend the Amazigh language. I'll say goodbye, but we should do some research into it. Bye.
rasharo_hamid Posted 2008-05-04
Hi to all the Amazighs, So, it is true that Mr. Assia was a great militant for Amazighism and the Amazigh cause, but you should know, readers, that this man now belongs to Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), and we all know that this institute was created to deform the Amazigh cause.
اما زيغي. الجديدة Posted 2008-10-30
I appreciate the efforts of professor Ahmed Assid in the field of Amazigh culture. But I blame him for his attitude towards Islam and Islamic movements in his book “Tamazight in the Islamic political discourse”.
الشريف مولاي عبد الله بوسكروي Posted 2009-01-01
Kingdom of Morocco: Morocco and constitutional reforms. An open letter to parties, unions and civil society. If Morocco is strong and celebrates 12 centuries of the history of a strong and consolidated kingdom between all its components, including Jews, Muslims, Arabs and Amazighs, this is thanks to the union of the throne and people in a permanent allegiance to the king who is the commander of the believers and protectors of the people and religion. The strength of Morocco emanates from the strength of the monarchy and its role in this political scene and vice versa. Therefore, the enemies of Morocco were historically attacking the monarchy because it is the symbol of Morocco and its strength. Therefore I call upon everyone to invoke all these consideration when calling for an amendment of the constitution in order to make the interest of the state prevail over personal interest, avoid empty speculations and barren debates. The interest of the state is above everything. The Moroccan people hold on to its principles and sanctities of its country. They want a strong king ruling and reigning for a strong and united Morocco. The king is the strength of Morocco. He is the guarantor of the rights of the people, protector of the people and religion. Some reporters, politicians and human rights activists made of human rights a Troy horse to distort the image of Morocco and help our opponents in defaming us, harming us and our territorial integrity. To these people, I say: your manoeuvres are beginning to be uncovered to the people. Therefore, you should know that Morocco is stronger than your cheap manoeuvres. We will remain a strong country in spite of the enemies. Morocco will remain united both king and people. The Sahara will remain Moroccan until God takes earth and its people. Signed: Acharif Moulay Abdellah Bouskraoui.
faty Posted 2009-01-24
I am an Amazigh woman and I advocate Tamazight. I will never let down my language whatever happens. I will preserve the language of my grandfathers and Morocco will remain my mother land.
Anonymous Posted 2009-02-16
I want topics about the Moroccan constitution.
سالم المهري Posted 2009-03-24
Salam alikum. I am a brother from the Arab East. I would like to say my opinion about Berber. I say honestly that this language is Arabic. It came from the south of Arabia exactly from the region of Dheffar in the south of Sultanate of Oman where we have many dialects such as Chahria, Mahria, Saktaria is close to Berber as it was confirmed by comparative studies. The alphabet of Tifinagh is an old alphabet in Dheffar which was discovered by Ahmed Chahri. He drew a table in which he compared Tifinagh and Dheffar alphabet. They are totally identical. So Berbers or Amazighs are really Arabs who went to North Africa in old immigrations as it is confirmed by Dr Said Aribi Hafiana from Libya. We hope from our brothers, the administrators of Magharebia to refer to these important topics, interview Moroccan researchers who believe in the Arabism of Berbers. Thank you.
الحسين Posted 2009-04-21
Azul, I agree with our great professor Ahmed Assid. But I don't agree with him on his attitude towards Islam.
mohamed Posted 2009-09-10
In the name of God. Peace be upon the messenger of God. There is no difference between Arab and foreigner except in piety. Our Lord is one. Our religions is one. We all want the best for our country , for all peaceful countries and for all Islamic countries.
kamal Posted 2009-09-23
Greetings of God be upon all Muslims. My warmest greetings to our teacher. I tell you best greetings to you for your efforts to make Tamazight stand on its feet and restore its pride as in the old times. As for us, praise be to God, we Amazigh Muslims have no problems with religion. It is not necessary for a person to be Arab in order to be Muslim, this is the objective. I will give you an example. We in the south of Morocco we haven praise be to God, great scholars, we have people who know Qur’an by heart who aren’t present anywhere else. One last thing, a very warm greeting.
ayet baha o3sedid Posted 26 days ago
Salam alikum. I thank you professor Ahmed for your words and support for the Amazigh identity. But I don't agree to the integration of Amazigh language in education. I don't see any usefulness of its teaching especially because we are a Muslim nation and the language of Islam is Arabic. Moreover, I don't appreciate the way you speak about Islamic movements and the attempt to distort Islam. With my sincere respects to you Si Hmad daughter of Twaremite.
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