Moroccan authorities refuse to register Amazigh names
2008-06-10
Despite the involvement of human rights NGOs and Amazigh organisations, Moroccan authorities continue to reject the use of Amazigh names on official documents.
By Hassan Benmehdi for Magharebia in Casablanca – 10/06/2008
 [Getty Images] Moroccan Amazigh activists demonstrate on Labour Day. Moroccan Amazighs have criticised the Moroccan authorities' refusal to register some Amazigh names on official documents. |
Moroccan citizens face a refusal by the authorities to register their Amazigh names on official documents, numerous cases show. Names including Bahac, Damya, Diyia, Mayssa, Guraya, Yuba, Ijja, Aderfy, Amzin, Idir, Massinissa, Tihia, Tinass, Taynust, Sifaw, Massin and others appear to be categorically banned from entry into the register of births, marriages and deaths.
Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa has rejected allegations of discrimination, saying that in the High Commission for Civil Status, the body in charge of approving or rejecting name choices, "there is no restriction on the choice of names, nor is there a list to restrict public freedom on this matter".
Instead, to explain how the commission chooses whether or not to register names, Benmoussa pointed to law No. 37-99 which stipulates that "the name chosen by the person declaring the birth...must be Moroccan in nature and must not be either a family name nor a name composed of more than two forenames, nor the name of a town, village or tribe; similarly it must not be such that it would challenge morality or public order".
Amazigh activists counter that the list of rejected names gets longer every year. Of the 88 cases examined in 2007 by the commission, Benmoussa said 75 names were accepted. Thirteen, however, were rejected for being "un-Moroccan" Amazigh names. The most recent examples of rejected names include Illy, Tilili, Chaden, Dihia. Those names determined not to be in conformance with the law are shared with all of Morocco's registry offices and its embassies and consulates abroad.
Moroccan citizens Farid El Mouchni and his wife found in March that they could not register the name of their daughter, Chaden.
Farid told reporters that three months after her birth, his daughter still has no name because the Moroccan embassy in Madrid, where the family lives, said the name Chaden is forbidden by the High Commission for Civil Status.
"I don’t understand why they haven’t allowed me to call my daughter Chaden, given that it's not morally offensive, and doesn't break any of the rules," he said, adding that he appealed to Moroccan state officials and the Moroccan ambassador in Madrid, but in vain.
The El Mouchni family is not alone.
In the north east city of Al Hociema, the Nouizia family spent five years fighting in vain to register their child's name – Sifaw. In Errachidia, the name Tihia was struck down.
In June 2007, authorities at the Agadir registry rejected the Amazigh forename "Illy". After several attempts, Illy’s parents eventually decided to take the matter to the courts, where the case is currently being heard.
Amazigh activists say the refusal to accept Amazigh names is a form of discrimination.
Rachid Rakha, a member of the Amazigh World Congress, told Magharebia that the rejection of Amazigh names is an "injustice" against the future of Amazigh identity.
"These Amazigh names don’t carry any notion of hatred or challenge morality or public order. Quite the contrary; these are names which recall Amazigh culture, identity, history and great historical figures," he said.
Amazigh movements in Morocco have joined in solidarity against the government's actions and contacted a number of national and international NGOs to draw attention to the issue.
In Parliament, three MPs from the Party for Renewal and Equity have proposed an amendment to law No. 37-99, seeking to better protect the right of newborn Moroccan children to have a legally recognised name according to the choice of his or her parents or legal guardians.
Casablanca nurse El Taeïbi told Magharebia that the Amazighs' reaction to the rejection of the names they choose is natural. "It's unfortunate and unjust in my view, and the issue needs to be reconsidered."
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abdarasse Posted 2008-06-10
Salam my brothers and sisters. Thank you for this topic but honestly, it is a shame by God. With the will of God, my sons will bear a name 100% Berber whatever happens even if I would have to go to the authorities, I will do it, but everyone is free to choose the name of his child as far as I know we are free and will remain free, Hmd, that’s it, thanks.
Jamal, Riffian Amazigh Hollanda Posted 2008-06-11
Salaam koulchi Maghariba, The Amazigh names that parants want to give to their children that symbolise a great historical figure should be allowed. These Amazigh names are sometimes pre-Islamic and for the normal Moroccan ( Amazigh or Arab)the names can sound unfamiliar, this doesn`t suggest that the history of the Maghreb and Morocco specific began with the Islamic conquest! There was a rich Amazigh civilisation with before and is still today! It`s arrogant and unjust to imply the opposite. I think the Moroccan authorities and NGO`s did a great deal for the Amazigh emancipation and awareness but there are still some work to be done as we can see regarding the names. I as chairman of Foundation Metalsa in the Netherlands support the cuase the Freedom in giving endemic Moroccan names to our childeren howeever they me sound, it`s the right of the people and has a lot of psychological impact when it`s refused. The refusal of such a name is indirect the refusal of history of the Maghreb. In times of internet, globalisation, 10 % Moroccans live abraod, things are rapidly changing and the government should keep pace, in all sectors.
e.m Posted 2008-06-12
Our country is multi-cultural and multi-racial. No controls are made on names of Jewish and Catholic origin or even bizarre names coming to us from the Orient through the soap operas. Yet here we are hounding Amazigh names.
MAHMOUD Posted 2008-06-14
Only now are these Amazigh names coming back. Outsiders are manipulating your leaders and your leaders are manipulating you. You realise that this is a game to divide the unaware and already fragile people in the name of a rigged democracy. No one wishes a real democracy upon you, especially not the West, which only serves its own interests. And, this is not innate: there are even journalists who call themselves independent acting against the supreme interests of their country. P.S. I am of Amazigh origin.
lemarocain Posted 2008-06-15
My comment can be seen as a bias to this side or the other, but from my position as a party not concerned the issue of the names has to do with my work as an official in one of the offices of the civil status. I ask the question each time an Amazigh name is declared, because my function in my rural town is to check with the father of the new-born about the meaning of the name. In most cases, there is no reply. It is known that personal names have a meaning, so how can a name like Ayour (moon), Tafoukt (sun) or Tizri, Tifaout, all these are names which have a meaning in Tamazight in the surrounding life. But most of the times, the names which are suggested have a historical reference for historical characters in order to be distinguished and not just preserve the Amazigh identity. If the intention of this category is to officialize Amazigh names, there are thousands of them and not just a few of them. Massine for example is not authorized and it is very popular, Massinssa as well, which is an archaeological name, Ayour, Thlaytmas. But the name Illy, which means my daughter, if it were suggested in Nador, Housseima, Ouarzazate or Khenifra, I don't think that it will be rejected. But it was suggested in Tetouan, and moreover the girl was adopted. This gives the name more references than adoption, and here rises the problem. As an advice to those who want to officialize some historic names, the meanings of these names should be simplified in the local media firstly so that the ears get accustomed to them and not overnight. If the names belong to famous Amazigh figures, they should be identified historically and their location in Morocco and not outside Morocco so that it respects the law of civil status. Associations concerned about the Amazigh issue should be in constant communication with the civil status officers as they are primarily concerned about whether or not to register a name. This is currently carried out by submitting names to the high commission, but this presentation includes their opinion about the name, which is an important factor in the approval or rejection of the names. Regarding the dissemination of rejected names to all the civil status offices, this is done in accordance with law.
Argaza Posted 2008-06-21
I think this is not this is not only time the Moroccan regime attacks the civil liberties. I can say that the Amazigh military front is on its way; and should the Junta continue what it does, it will regret painfully. So together we condemn the breach of civil liberties or ...you let the Junta in the palace make the choice and deal with the consequences.
exemple Posted 2008-08-14
With regards to Amazigh or other names, I believe that we have moved beyond the time where such a freedom is outmoded. We need to respect people and what they want their names to be. This is truly a fundamental freedom.
faty Posted 2009-01-25
I support everyone who defends Tamazight. I support everyone who loves his origins.
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