Amazigh rights issue pits Moroccan Berbers against Islamists
2010-02-26
Many Moroccans want greater respect for the country's Amazigh heritage, but not everyone agrees there is a problem.
By Anouar Hamama for Magharebia in Agadir – 26/02/10
 [Anouar Hamama] Lahoucine Amouzay (left) advocates a new, fair look at the role of Amazigh culture in Moroccan society. |
Lahoucine Amouzay, like many Berbers, wants greater rights and respect for Morocco's Amazigh citizens. His activism puts him at odds with those who want an exclusively Arab and Islamic identity for Morocco.
"We live in the margins," Amouzay told Magharebia. "All we get are promises. If we don't fight, we'll always be seen as a backward people."
The Amazigh, commonly known as Berbers, were Morocco's first inhabitants and still account for about 60 percent of the country's nearly 32 million citizens. But Amazigh activists say they are treated like a minority by members of the dominant Arab culture.
Even in Agadir, where Berbers are comparatively affluent and powerful, every day is a struggle, according to Amouzay. Like much of Morocco, Agadir has a huge gap between the poor and the wealthy. Islamists usually blame this inequality on Western influences and capitalism, while Amazigh activists often blame the Arab community and Islamist sway.
Amouzay studies Amazigh culture at Ibn Zohr University of Agadir, one of only three schools in the country with such a programme. Even the lush university courtyard is starkly divided. Posters about Amazigh political prisoners and protests line one side, while fliers about Islamist prayer groups dot the other. Most Amazigh activists wear T-shirts and Western clothing, in contrast to the Islamists' more traditional dress.
"We fight all the time ... [t]hey tear our posters down", Amouzay said. "They say we should be good Muslims, speak Arabic, and join the Arab world. They say we invent our problems, create our heritage."
One focal point for that heritage is the Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) outside of Rabat. The institute was set up in October 2001 by royal decree, as part of a series of reforms intended to meet domestic Amazigh demands. Other changes followed, including adding Amazigh language classes in schools across Morocco and the official adoption of an Amazigh script.
According to IRCAM member Amina Ibnou-Cheikh, the reforms begun by King Mohammed VI, while well-intentioned, are weak in comparison with ongoing injustices. For instance, only Arabic names can be registered for Moroccan children. And although the majority of the people speak Amazigh languages, these tongues do not share Arabic's official standing.
At the government-run Institute of Studies and Research for Arabicisation (IERA) not far from IRCAM, an administrator who requested anonymity said Amazigh identity had become a "minefield" that most officials avoid discussing.
He claimed that the IERA aims only to Arabicise the government, not the people. After Morocco gained independence from the French in 1956, he said, the government was run using a muddled mix of French and Arabic. Therefore, the IERA aims to standardise the terminology of modern science and "civilisation" as used in the Arab world.
However, he was clear about the prospects for Amazigh languages gaining national status. "Arabic signifies who we are. It is the language of the Qur'an. I don't see that changing any time soon."
The rivalry between Arab-Islamic and Amazigh identities also has political currents. Since parties based on ethnicity or religion are banned in Morocco, the Amazigh Moroccan Democratic Party (PDAM) was outlawed in 2008. However, PDAM continues to function in a quasi-political manner.
"One of the best examples of the way things are going is the racist banning of PDAM," said party secretary-general Ahmed Adghirni. "They say we can't have 'Amazigh' in our title, because it's an ethnicity, but the government doesn't treat the names of the Agence Maghreb Arabe Presse, the Park of the Arab League [in Casablanca] or countless institutions the same way."
"We are constantly being Arabicised in this country," he added. "You can even see it in the Family Code, which Moroccans are so proud of, because it supposedly gives women more equality, but still not as much as Amazigh tradition gave them."
The Party for Justice and Development (PJD), which many view as Islamist, sees things differently. A political front-runner, the PJD won the second-most seats in Parliament in the 2007 election. Its former leader, Saadeddine Othmani, is Amazigh.
Othmani said his party is still "undecided" about Amazigh languages gaining official status. "We are a Muslim country, and the greatest resource of our government is Islam," he told Magharebia. "To raise Amazigh languages to the status of the language of God [Arabic], that is a difficult idea."
Othmani pushed for Amazigh languages to be written in Arabic script, rather than an Amazigh script adopted in 2003. "For me, it makes sense. There is no difference between Arabs and the Amazigh. To use a different script would imply one."
He added that Berbers who feel battered by Islamists are falling for Western neo-colonialism. "Islam is a great political mobilisation tool in this country. Moroccans are more sensitive to democratic values that come from Islamic history than Montesquieu or Rousseau. Muslim identity and Arab identity unite us. Why is that a bad thing?"
But Ahmed Adghirni said that "religious parties", in which he includes the PJD, try to blindside them. "They talk about religion in order to make us feel un-Islamic if we have a strong Amazigh identity," he says. "What these parties are ignorant about is that religious rhetoric does not resonate much among ordinary Amazigh people."
Mohamed Bataoui, an Amazigh university student in Fez, finds the political situation of the Amazigh appalling, but told Magharebia that both sides often overstate their cases. Originally from Guelmim, he says he has experienced discrimination due to his background, but has developed the ability to educate his detractors.
An Amazigh "in culture and origin, but not in ideology," Bataoui says that the Amazigh political situation remains as it always has, "characterised by unfairness and lack of real desire for a political solution to the Amazigh plight." He says that Morocco is often rewriting its past, ignoring the country's history before Arabs arrived centuries ago.
But despite the rancour, he says, Moroccans must remain a united people, even when such issues divide them. "Arabs and Amazigh are equal and will always remain equal," he said. "Our Islamic religion insists on tolerance and mutual love."
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BEN Posted 2010-02-27
Is there an “Amazigh” syndrome? I am afraid the answer is “Yes”! This is due to their family education, which instills in them an inferiority complex in relation to other regional groups. The Amazigh are ashamed, for example, of their bodies. They find it hard to liberate themselves, to express themselves, to integrate, to embrace the revolution and the progress… Dealing with the Amazigh at the psychological and social level is of particular interest in more ways than one.
هولندا Posted 2010-02-28
Diplomacy of Morocco and the neighbour. I wonder about and question the politics of Morocco. Moroccan politics don't go well, why? Is it because it is a weak state? Do officials and leaders in Morocco not understand and know anything about politics? Don't they care about national matters? I don't know. If we compare the politics and diplomacy of Morocco with those of the neighbour Algeria, we will find that Algeria is superior to Morocco, especially in the fields of defending the nation, its territorial integrity, the unity of people and so on. If we consider these things, we find that Morocco is the loser because: 1) it has lost the Eastern Sahara; 2) Mauritania; 3) and now the Moroccan Sahara, its problem isn't clear. As for Algeria, it conquered, then occupied, the Western Sahara. Then it conquered and occupied the land of the Touareg as well as the land of Kabylia. All this happened with no controller or judge, how? Morocco has the right to restore all its lands taken by colonisation. Despite this I find that diplomacy of Morocco is weak compared with the neighbour, how is this possible?
sara Posted 2010-02-28
Why are we creating differences between us Arabs and Amazighs? Yes, Amazighs are the first inhabitants of Morocco, but with the entry of Islam, they embraced Islam. With the Arabs, who came in the past in waves of immigration, they became one people, courtesy to Islam. They marry, live and co-exist without any differences between them. This is how they achieved integration. Today it is impossible to draw the family tree of an Amazigh or Arab because you will find an Amazigh married to an Arab woman or an Arab married to an Amazigh woman to this day, and this still happens. There are many Amazigh men who marry Arab women and vice versa. You will find this around you and in your family. So there is no need to create social differences on the bases of race and ethnicity (which are unfounded) in addition to economic differences, which we should fight in order to eliminate. Long live Morocco of integration, co-habitation and tolerance; being Muslim should be above any other consideration!
لبنى وهبي Posted 2010-02-28
The statements attributed here to Saadeddine Othmani in this article are doubtful. He couldn't have said them because he has publications supporting the Amazigh cause. In one of them, he denies that Arabic is a sacred language, so saying it is “The language of Allah”, as is in the article is impossible. He is one of the fervent defenders in Parliament of boosting Tamazight.
Anonymous Posted 2010-03-01
Morocco, which has not managed to resolve its identity issues in the interior of its own lands, has seen fit to get tangled in new problems abroad with its occupation of the Western Sahara. After centuries of cultural domination, the Amazighs are waking up, just like the Kabylies in Algeria. The Sahrawis, who are still overwhelmed today by the imbalance of power on the ground, will not allow themselves to be assimilated by Morocco. The meteorologists are indeed familiar with the phenomenon of the calm before the storm, and the geologists know that dormant volcanoes will wake one day or another. The late king of Morocco, Hassan II, known not only for his cruelty, but also for his Machiavellianism, created the problem of the Sahara in order to exorcise others – the economic problems, unemployment and the discontentment of political parties and the Amazighs, not to mention the ever-latent threat of the army, which had repeatedly conspired against him. The occupation of the Western Sahara was his trump card to divert attention from his dictatorial way of governing. He succeeded in summoning a tsunami of chauvinism in Morocco, for which he was the spearhead. In one day, he went from being an unenlightened despot to a national hero. Even the victims of his totalitarianism and his human rights violations felt obliged to endorse the imperialist argument so as not to come off as traitors. This is also explained through psychology: Often victims will change into perpetrators against those who are weaker. Most criminals who sexually abuse children were themselves victims of sexual abuse in their childhood. Now, the king of Morocco needs to face the Amazighs’ claims, while waiting for the uprising of the Sahrawis.
Afer A. L. Posted 2010-03-01
As an Amazigh I am proud of my dual identities as both an Amazigh and a Muslim. Islamist, as is often the case, think in exclusive rather than in inclusive terms. With my very basic of religion I see no reason why staying true to my roots is sinful? Why is it not possible to be a good Amazigh Muslim? Their message is often backwards and based on the assumption that you have to be an Arab to be a good Muslim. What about the largest Muslim countries in the world Indonesia and Bangladesh? Neither country speaks Arabic yet they are Muslim. As a matter of fact there are more non-Arabic speaking Muslims in the world that Arabic-speaking Muslims. It is high noon for Islamists to temper their message if they are to gain a following and implement real change. Their message ought to be one of tolerance and inclusion rather one of absolutism and prejudice. Being proud of one's Amazigh identity is not idolatry or blasphemy and it definitely should not be treated as such. A message for the author and editors, in the future please be very thorough and exhaustive with your fact checking before publication of articles. You are doing a great service to your readers and ultimately enlighten them. But if your facts are wrong your credibility is at stake. I would wholeheartedly like to believe the 60% portion of Moroccans as Amazigh but it is a mere assumption I am often guilty of spreading myself. In the absence of accurate estimates and good census information on the topic, one ought to avoid exact figures especially in your line of work.
NASSSER Posted 2010-03-01
I do not understand why Islam and Tamazight are always divided. The Amazigh people were never so powerful as they were in their Berber, Muslim dynasty of the 10th Century. Islam and Amazigh together are two components of the past and future. Arabic language was used because Berber was not written, but it was Berber Muslims who made North Africa reign and made its history. North Africa is Muslim and Berber. As for French, Arabic, Latin and Phoenician – these are all spoils of war that enrich our Islamic-Berber culture. We are not Arabs or Frenchmen or Romans; we are Amazigh Muslims.
جمال الدين Posted 2010-03-03
I would like to make this contribution about the Amazigh language and culture. The Amazigh language can be denied only by those who have bad intentions. It cannot be monopolized by anyone. Stealing the language in the name of language is the beginning of a crime against humanity. This is the objective vision and the progressive position which should be adopted by every analyst and researcher in this field and any militant in this dear nation... My greetings to everyone who believes in the human values, justice, freedom, democracy and human rights. The position will remain in effect in Morocco, the Arab Maghreb and world in general.
Ayen Daghen Posted 2010-03-03
@BEN: So! so are certain that we are ashamed of our bodies.. or may be of our great territory and civilization?! You are even afraid there is an amazigh syndrom!!! Try better understand wether there is an arab syndrom first who came to colonize us. For the rest, I invite you to open your eyes and see how tall and high are the Atlas Mountains. AHve you learned to speak Tamazight for the past 14 centuries you've been our guests?....ou may try soon and let me know who is ashamed you or me!!
nab Posted 2010-03-04
i think what needs to to happen is for all the Berbers that are not happy to be Moroccans and Muslims should see how the Berbers are treated in Algeria where they don't have no right at all. i think the Sahara is putting morocco backward most our money is spent there trying to help them. should have a look at Mauritania where they live in total poverty. or just give the Sahara back to them and send all amazigh who are not happy in morocco to live there maybe they could have amazigh as first language there. long live morocco
ELMDAGHRI ELALAOUI LHASSAN Posted 2010-03-05
People of the five continents from East to West and from North to South have all come from the east for many reasons. These include many factors such as population growth, immigration, division of continents into five continents, fear of wars, Amazighs sons of Mazegh came from Al Sham and are the descendants of Sam and Ham. This is the same for Arabs and Persians. We are all from the East, our culture unites us. I am proud of ancient Amazighs who are concerned about their honour and religion. I ask God the Almighty to assist you for all the good. A word to the managers of broadcasting TV programmes to add subtitles in Arabic and French, broadcast Amazigh lessons on the Moroccan TV.
Acharif Moulay Abdellah BOUSKRAOUI Posted 2010-03-06
All the Amazigh potentialities of Morocco**** Morocco, is under the aegis of our august king His Majesty Mohamed VI, all rights are guaranteed be they for the Islamists, Jews, Amazighs….Morocco is a state of law and democracy, a temple of religions, a country that has always encouraged dialogue between cultures, religions and civilisations …and the rights of the Amazighs ,like those all the other constituents of the kingdom are guaranteed and those who think that these rights devide the Berbers and Islamists do not know Morocco, land of peace, dialogue and co-existence…as such and to all the Amazighs of Morocco I send them this message: Dear brothers during your meetings and activities always remember the open hands and the help His Majesty the king offers you because the Moroccans are all Amazighs be it by their mother or their fathers or bother members of the family and being they of Arab orgin or Jew Morocco is our country and the sovereign is our unifier …be proud subjects of His majesty the king just as you have always been and I am proud that in all of your meetings you express your attachment to the Alaouite throne and your dedication to our sovereign His Majesty king Mohamed VI. and I hope that speaking Amazigh will not be a new way harvesting privileges because this people has suffered enough from opportunists… may God guide you in your task under the aegis of our supreme chief and our unifier His majesty king Mohamed VI may God protect him Amen.
djazairi hor Posted 2010-03-06
I am Algerian and Kabyle. The Moroccan Amazighs’ fight for dignity, justice, equality, freedom and all other human rights is my fight. That is because this is a just fight. May they know that we Berbers of Algeria are with them.
أحمد Posted 2010-03-06
Morocco is an Arab Islamic country? Its official language is Arabic. I see that Moroccans speak and deal in all languages of the world. This is synonym of openness and democracy. All Moroccans are entitled to express their opinions in confirming their identity by all means. This will lead Morocco to progress because there is still much to say. Morocco faces many challenges. The world changes and progresses at a high speed but we are wasting our energies in making this country reach its aspirations by achieving this in peace, progress and prosperity of Morocco and all Moroccans.
Afer L. Posted 2010-03-06
I often tell myself that following these chain commentaries is a useless task but then I come again, and again, and again. I am appalled at the level of ignorance and intolerance that emanate from some people. Ignorance starts with their inability to speak and express themselves in a logical manner. Why obfuscate issues and why insult the other? The topic of this article is simply Amazigh rights in Morocco, so why embark on a tantrum against Algeria and Western Sahara? That is called ignorance. The ignorant can never follow a logical line of reasoning and will sidestep issues. Unless we can stick to basics and discuss the issues at hand without any ad hominem our task is doomed to fail. Before you let your emotions go and before you insult, try to think and reason first. A man who speaks out of pure emotions ought to be quiet lest he commits a crime with his words. BEN> How can I be ashamed of my body? Do Amazigh people you have seen look like aliens to you? If we had an inferiority complex we would not be claiming what is rightfully due to us, respect for our culture and identity. Holland> Please be concise and to the point next time, I tried really hard but could not understand what it is you were trying to get at. Sara> The difference are there and it is impossible to deny them. I don't know where you grew up but where I come from there were no Arabs and the first time I was personally exposed to Arabs was when I went to college in Tangier and the experience was shocking... I would not be exagerating if I call it a culture clash. My parents are Imazighen, they don't understand a word in Arabic, except for their memorized Quranic recitations. There are nobody is married to an Arab in my family and I certainly won't. Your Morocco is very different but I do welcome
Afer L. Posted 2010-03-06
Continued: There is nobody married to an Arab in my family and I certainly won't. Your Morocco is very different but I do welcome the message of tolerance you are alluding to. We cannot solve this problem by denying it exists, this only serves to worsen it. Indeed the current policy followed by the Moroccan authorities is making people who are normally tolerant more angry and exasperated. Anonymous> Your psychoanalysis is way off, the issue of the Sahara will be resolved eventually but not by the granting of independence to the Southern provinces. I believe you need to take a deeper look at the current and potential future political dynamics both in the region and internationally. Morocco is slowly heading towards a more inclusive and open society, albeit some occasional hiccups, and especially possible economic gains that would touch the whole society including our Sahrawi brethren. In other words, the message of separatism will soon or later wane and those in the provinces will have more to gain from autonomy within the motherland than separation. Nab> There is an amazigh saying that goes like this: Izward swangm sawl izward sma9l skouss. That means that you really ought to get in the habit of thinking before talking. Read a few history books and enlighten yourself some, it will do you all the good and may be you will even change your perspective on a lot of things. So to finish, the Amazigh cause was not born in a vacuum. It's a reaction preceded by an action. We would not be complaining if our culture & identity were not relegated to a folkloric expression valuable only as a commodity sold to tourists. Our identity is valuable on its own, both as Imazighen and Muslims. Let us coexist in the spirit of tolerance and respect our religion preaches. Peace
مهدي عمر.ليبيا Posted 2010-03-07
I think that the report wasn't done fairly, by focusing one side only and ignoring many positive points. Mohamed the student was fair when he said Moroccans should remain allied and unified by Islam, the religion of brotherhood and tolerance. We add that we “Arabs” consider Amazighs our brothers in religion; “believers are brothers”. Amazigh have all available resources including trade and other economic activities. The high number of people and the shortage of resources naturally leads to the emergence of poor categories, including Arabs, who are the poorest by comparison. They have no grounds for blaming the Arabs and French, their cultures to the two sides. This has caused the appearance of some sensitivities and loss of heritage.
حسن بن أحمد بن محمد Posted 2010-03-07
Those who talk about Amazigh in Morocco were a group invented by secularists and Jews through the so-called civil society associations which spread pornography through what they call support courses. As for genuine Amazighs, they are people of Islam; they don't push for separating religion from the state. By God, if the Amazigh people had known what was plotted against them, they would have stood up to fight. Anyway, praise be to God, we are still in the phase of observation of what happens around us. As the Arab proverb says, the persistence of a situation is impossible. May God curse the liars!
العربي العمري Posted 2010-03-07
I defy anyone who says there is discrimination on the basis of race between Arabs and Amazighs in Morocco. Just opposite; Morocco boasts of its multiple cultures. I learned in the third year of primary school, at the beginning of the 1960s of the last century, that the first inhabitants of the Morocco are Berbers, the sons of Mazigh. They came from Sham through Habacha and Egypt. This means that Morocco is proud of its numerous cultures and teaches them to children at an early age. I am personally Arab, my wife is Amazigh, and we have five children. We all feel that we are Muslims more than Moroccans. As for race, “Surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful of his duty”. Marriage between the two races is very common, without the least reserve. If Amazigh weren't difficult, I would have learned it with pride. Moreover, our Amazigh brothers make an effort to learn Arabic for many reasons, including communication and for reading Qur'an in the language in which it was revealed, so that they can understand its meanings. There are even many of them, praise be to God, who teach us we - Arabs - Islamic doctrine in Arabic. As for rights and obligations, I don't think there is a difference between the categories of society on the basis of race. Although we acknowledge this difference, unfortunately, but we're not the only society who does so in the Arab world and around the globe. For example, if you research the shanty towns which the government promised to eradicate through a plan and provide a suitable house for its dwellers, are these dwellers Amazigh only? Or are they Arab only? Is the rich class only Arab, exclusive of the Amazigh? We are all on the same ship, my brother. There are the poor and rich among you and us. There are politicians and ministers among you and us. I learned recently that an Amazigh satellite channel was launched, so many congratulations! By the way, I am writing this from Italy, to which I have emigrated to improve my living conditions and the conditions of my family. Both Arabs and Amazigh share immigration.
Amazigh Posted 2010-03-09
There is an Amazigh issue and what we do ? We talk about Islam . Why on earth each time there is someone who talks about Amazigh poeple we automatically mention Islam religion ? Amazigh poeple don't have any kind of problem with Islam. They are muslimsand proud of it. Instead they have a big problem with racistic Moroccan regime which make big efforts to eliminate Amazigh culutre. Why this heinous behaviour towards us ? Why this appartheid imposed for many decades to our identity and culture ? Someone said that Amazighs and Arabes are brothers. Ok about that. But please tell me if a bother will treat you like nothing and make his best to swipe your identity and culture, will you still consider him as a brother ? Morover, why don't we mention Islam when Arabs are involved in some problems ? I give you for for instance the Western Sahara problem. I have never ever heard someone talk about Sarouis'Islam. Is because they are Arabs? Is Arabiy give the right to be a terrorist and a criminel ? Your logic folks make me very sad and sick in the same time.
BEN Posted 2010-03-09
It makes sense when reading all of these comments to pose the question: What is a Moroccan? Is not a Moroccan a mix of Arab, Berber, Latin, Asian and so on? A mixture of all of these is what gives us the Moroccan we have today – a perfect prototype for a global citizen. This is a great opportunity. Narrow-minded regionalism gives us what we call primary racism, through which the political demagogues want to do their business just like they did with the religion. Behold the results! To be or not to be Morocan – that is the question!
nab Posted 2010-03-09
@Amazigh how there you say Moroccan are racist against Amazigh. before you talk about apartheid regime, read about it you making sound like if you amazigh you not aloud to do anything you have just as much freedom as any other Moroccan being arab or anyone else. if the Arabs tryed to wipe you culture and identity you wouldnt be here today talking about it brother. if we tryed to wipe you culture out we would done what white americans did to indigenous people there. that's what i call racism. there is hardly any of them left now after 200 years. you still around after 1000 years of arab rule my brothers wife is amazigh and she's proud and we proud of here. we moroccans are trying to move forward. join us we all in this strugle together. you have you own language you own culture good for you no one is stopping you from it. long live amazigh and arab Moroccans
demba Posted 2010-03-10
I think there are some words in Qur'an which some don't want to understand. God said “surely the most honorable of you with Allah is the one among you most careful (of his duty)”. But despite this, Arabs keep on acting as if one cannot be a good Muslim and non-Arab at the same time.
allah Posted 2010-03-12
My wife is Rifian and Amazigh. I am proud to have a wife as pious as she is. We both live as pious Muslims. We have never felt anything but the great love that unites us. My children are education. Among them, there are unemployed ones, public servants and some who are abroad. As we are believers, nothing impedes us from have a diversified culture. The Amazighs and Arabs came from Yemen. Moreover, thank God that Islam unites us and gives us the strength and courage to forever feel proud to be Muslim. Long live Qur’anic language, which envelopes all languages and cultures. We are Moroccans, Amazighs and Arabs.
hocine Posted 2010-03-13
I think that the Amazigh issue does not concern Morocco alone, but all of North Africa (Libya, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritania). In my opinion, there are currents coming from the East to bury our dear, long-lasting culture and civilisations, just as they did when they burned the Library of Marrakesh in the 13th Century.
houcine Posted 2010-03-14
Considering that I am Muslim Amazigh, I will enter Paradise Amazigh. In Morocco there is no Arab identity. There is an Amazigh hegemony. So let’s give everyone his right if our religion provides for this.
BEN Posted 2010-03-14
But where do they see Arabs in the Maghreb? Over the centuries, the Arabs from Kairouan who spread Islam mixed with the Berbers, whom the Romans made use of in order to chase the Carthaginians from Morocco, which Franco used for his accession to power in Spain, which colonialism used for its wars and, at times, even against their brothers. The Berbers of the Rif, known for their patriotism (e.g., Andelkrim El Khattabi) have nothing to do with those from the Middle Atlas and those of the South. Their history is different. Moroccan history has experienced episodes that are still painful to the collective memory. Neither the Rifians, nor the Soussi want to be involved in this. Consequently, we have not latched onto this Amazigh message, which tries to say everything and nothing all at once. The Arabs are, in general, not in the Middle East, but in the Maghreb? In terms of speech, there are a lot of differences there. We need to explain ourselves.
mohamed idrissi Posted 2010-03-14
Brother Berbers, you exaggerate your unjust claims for a better place for the Amazigh. You are exploiting the voluntary reluctance of the executive branch. You do not hesitate to use any means to create genocide. You often speak of Amazigh civilisations, but, unfortunately, apart from an architectural style imported from Yemen and monotonous dances and music, I do not note the presence of a grand civilisation like that of the pharaohs, Mesopotamia, China, Persia, India and so on. Where have these traces of a civilisation gone? There's no writing and no scientific or cultural proof of said civilisation. For 60 years, I have seen Arabs, Jews and Berbers live in peace and harmony. But, we know well that these few university flunkies are taking advantage of the West’s generous assistance in order to challenge our national unity. Your Berber “movements” often coincide in their claims with their big media outings for the so-called Sahrawis and through their mediocre Algerian, Moroccan and French channels. You have all the rights that the rest of the Moroccans have. I thus liken your actions to a betrayal of the Moroccan people, composed of Arabs, Fassis and others, of those from Jeblis and Draouis, and of Berbers and Jews. You often claim that Bebers make up 60% of the population of Morocco. This is false. You make up no more than 28%. (Visit the CIA website, and it will tell you about the reality of things.) And, even if you were 95% of the population, you would be obliged to remain good citizens and respect the minorities. Long live a united Morocco under our strong king! Please, allow him to continue the largest revolution of the last 10 years.
zaanoun Posted 2010-03-15
Honestly, Amazigh identity was destroyed by Arab-Muslim barbarism – the so-called Arab Civilisation. More than three thirds of the Moroccan population are Amazigh, but in spite of this, they occupy a marginalised position. So long as the Arabs are dominant and the Amazighs face colonisation, the Arabs will enjoy the best positions in the state.
Yugurten Posted 2010-03-16
"To raise Amazigh languages to the status of the language of God [Arabic], that is a difficult idea." Arabic language of God ? This is blasphemy ! Muhammad is this arabic prophet of God not the other way around. And for those who deny the authenticity and roots of the imazighen in north africa, i suggest you open more than one book about north africa. Ignorance is the root of all evil
ariaz amqran Posted 2010-03-16
Hello everyone- Personally, I think that everyone talking about “you” and “us” in apparent opposition of one another is way off the mark. The inhabitants of North Africa are one people and only one people! They are certainly not Arab. No offense to the many commenters in this forum, but the proof is in their DNA, which, simply put, is not the same as the DNA of Arabs or the people in the Middle East! So, who comes from nowhere? As for the CIA figures our friend cited, they rely on the last, so very official “census” Morocco taken in 1994. Know, gentlemen, that being Arab or not is not important, if you are enough of an altruistic, tolerant, open, progressive and good global citizen! Long live universal humanity in all of its diversity! Its little, subtle differences increase its wealth. Chauvinism, separatism, exclusion and so on are all the prerogatives of uneducated and truly underdeveloped people. A word to the wise!
bali Posted 2010-03-17
Super, that's Ben’s Amazigh “syndrome”. We can easily see that you have understood nothing with all these clichés about the denial of evolution and progress. It is because of people like you that the situation has not changed. You consider us a backward species, which, for example, is ashamed of its body. What's more: There is no “Amazigh”, but “Amazighs” with all the individuality that you can speak of for the “Arabs”. If the Arab is ashamed of his body, it is just because they are Muslims and very much believers and are not ashamed, but modest! And, if they have trouble expressing themselves, it is because no one lets them have the opportunity to do so. And that family education instills in them an inferiority complex in relation to other regional groups is false: society belittles us – it is not family at all. In the future, I will thank you to stop speaking both with such a condescending tone, so full of clichés and generalizations, and on subjects you seem to know nothing about.
Muslim Moroccan Amazighi Posted 2010-03-18
I call an the journalist who wrote this article to stop sowing "fitna" among Moroccans. WE ARE ALL MUSLIMS AND MOROCCANS; LEST'S FOCUS ON WHAT UNITES US NOT WHAT SEPARATES US. I have never had anyone compaining about being treated in a differet way because he Amazighi. Few Moroccans can say that they are purely Arab or purely Amazighi.
ayoub b. Posted 2010-03-18
As an Amazigh, I truly think that the problem is not being given the right approach. A country *can* have multiple official languages. Now, it is up to us to economically develop our regions instead of leaving them to go mix with the Arabs in Casablanca, Fez, Rabat and Tangier. I go to Morocco every summer and I feel at home in Nador or in the Rif Mountains. I do not need a single Arabic word for a month and half! Speak Amazigh at home just like the preceding generations did and the language and culture will never be lost! We must fight for an independent Rif or shut up. Don't complain that you don't feel at home in downtown Casablanca.
BEN Posted 2010-03-18
Amazigh-ness, which has forgotten its cultural role and is entering into the field of politics unprepared, should expect criticism that is at times virulent. Either we are in a democracy or we are not. I think that the Soussi University students who wanted to promote a certain original culture are now in over their heads with events they can no longer control. This is due to their exploitation by political parties and unions and to the socio-economic problems faced in Morocco. These problems have no need of the division that created this movement, which was apolitical. The time for assessments and analyses has come.
oyar n osman Posted 2010-03-20
Tamzgha or Great Libya (from Nile to Canary islands) is our land and the historical land of our people we Amazigh people (Imazighen). Arabs must either integrate or melt in our civilization, culture and language which we will restore from the Arab exile, or go back from where they came to their country in the Peninsula (between the Persian Gulf and Red Sea) which is known today as Saudi Arabia. They should take with them their language, language of the Arab occupational colonization, take their eradicative, racist and bloody religion which was imposed on us by their Bedouin savagery – in one of the inadvertences of history – with the sword, intimidation, captivation of women and children, confiscation of livelihoods and imposing tribute.
azizo.yaniss Posted 2010-03-21
In the name of God the Beneficent the Merciful. I am an Algerian Amazigh Muslim, I am not Arab. I want to say that the rate of infidel Arabs is higher than Muslim Arabs, without taking into account hypocrites. I say to the one who said that the Amazigh should become Arab in order to be Muslim, that this is disbelief, because Islam is a religion sent for all people.
فتاح رجي Posted 2010-03-25
Islam is for everyone. But the issue of identity is one of the necessary rights in the life of humans. Of course if we go back to the history of Morocco, Tamazight was present before the entry of Islam. When the latter came, it was countered by resistance of the Amazigh. But since it has become clear that this true religion bears distinct things in the life of humans, including rights and obligations, Amazigh people have become defenders of Islam in Morocco. The issue shouldn’t progress to cause a problem between Amazighs and Arabs. The most sublime dialogue is the one which respects the other and recognizes his existence. Arabic is the language of Qur’an. Do we hate it? No, because it is part of our civilisation and our identity.
mohamed idrissi Posted 2010-03-26
More than two weeks have passed since my comment and the discussion have not at all advanced in the right direction. Many chauvinists still think that the armies of an Amazigh pseudo-culture, racism and separatism will change a fact that dates back 15 centuries. If the Alaouite Kingdom is what it is now, then it is thanks to the Arabs. Indeed, everyone knows that Arab civilisation does not need me to defend it; it has risen to the rank of the greatest human civilisations. Remember, brother Amazighs, that in Andalusia the Moroccan moved beyond races and religions in order to accomplish one of the greatest works ever in a few centuries. Your ancestors participated in this on the side of the Arabs, Jews and Christians in this epic, and they used Arabic as a language – the richest language of them all. Respect others so that they respect you. At time with nations are uniting, a few opportunists are sowing separatism. In return, they will reap the humiliation of the entire Moroccan nation. Stop the racism!
raki Posted 2010-03-27
As an Algerian and a Kabyle, I appreciate the Moroccan people for their simplicity, sincerity and will to progress. Islam is not the property of anyone on either. Everyone will answer for their actions before the Creator, God. In order to permit Islam and Amazigh-ness to flourish, there is one thing and one thing alone to establish: the fight for democracy and the freedoms of the people, for which Islam is the precursor. Let us all free ourselves from the dictatorial regimes governing us and siphoning our resources and weighing down the backs of the poor and unfortunate. That we, the Algerians, have a lot of money is only to the benefit of the armies in their false “Saharan” cause. It is the same for the Moroccan monarchy. Both permit themselves to purchase sophisticated arms from the Westerners and Russians.
Kwintelier Posted 2010-03-28
Verry interesting subject, have been following it from the start. Reactions started of a little late but seems like it is going in the right direction. Ben, it seems you are well informed and interested on this subject, who are you any way? Former reactions of you seemed idiotic but now it seems there is more to you.
aghilas-kosseila Posted 2010-03-29
Azul fellawen- This topic is interesting in more ways than one. Having come across the majority of the range of opinions, I note the great damage of ignorance. Most Maghreb or Amazigh people ignore their history. This is not their fault. The governments inherited from colonialism have something to do with it. Human sciences or, rather, physical laws, repeat themselves. I read exactly what is written here in the 1970s and 1980s in Algeria. All the dialogues and events got minds moving. Now, we're beginning to understand, beginning to be appropriated by Amazigh civilisation. Certainly, Morocco will be this way in a few years. And others like Libya, Tunisia and the great Sahara will join us. In sum, it is a question of time, and awareness. Colonisation, wars and poverty have delayed this awakening a bit. Personally, I do not belong to those who say there are Arabs and Amazighs. In truth, there are Aamzighs. Some of them speak an Amazigh-Arabic dialect and see themselves as Arab. Amazigh speakers also regard themselves as such. They likewise pretend in their ignorance that the Arabs colonised the Maghreb or Tamazgha. This is completely false. All the kingdoms that have come along since the daw of time – the Almoravides, Idrissides, Almohades, Fatimies, Zirides and so on (the list is long) – are proud Amazighs, without any complexes. Even Emperor Septimus Severus and others like Saint Augustine called themselves Amazigh. For example, president Ben Bella thought he was Arab, so we are Arab. After a few years, when he went to Morocco, his region, he lived in Ait-Ourir and Tamaslouht. He discovered his entire family speaks Amazigh. What a shock!
JOCKER1 Posted 2010-03-30
I might be one of those who believe in the idea of conspiracy. I think that there are parties who take advantage of these causes (woman, Amazigh, Sahara…) whether inside to reach a higher goal or outside to make pressure on or blackmail Morocco. So these issues are given a bigger dimension.
maghrebin soucieux Posted 2010-03-30
Islam, Amazigh, Arab – we are all in the same boat. There are three bridges between and if one boat sinks, everyone drowns. The Lord of Time is playing against us. We do not need little principalities or small republics in the future. Stop dreaming. May each of us look at reality: It is the 21st Century. Take to other causes and challenges, please. The pure-blood Amazigh from Souche that I am, this climate is all the same unfavourable and leaves me perplexed.
entpnord Posted 2010-03-30
This is not in the interests of Moroccans in general. It is the beginning of backwardness and exclusion of the language of the Almighty, which is the basis for the development and righteousness of all the people.
BEN Posted 2010-03-31
KWINTELIER – Thanks for saying I am “idiotic”! Finally, a nice comment! In sum, all I know is that the Berbers – thanks to their intermingling with the Arabs – can only count to 20. You let me know the day there is an Amazigh prophet or Nobel Prize winner.
jocker1 Posted 2010-03-31
Most topics compare Islam with Tamazight (whether to be a Muslim or Amazigh). But this is a narrow vision. Even worse than this, some sanctify Arabic (with good intentions or for some hidden reasons) given that it is language of the Qur’an. Everyone, young and old, know by heart the Hadith of the Messenger (there is no difference). God the Almighty says “The Arabs of the desert are the worst in Unbelief and hypocrisy…” We know that there are non-Arabs who adhere to Islam more than Arabs themselves. I hope that Arabs or some of them won’t become like the sons of Israel whose arrogance made them claim they are the sons of God and his lovers. As to the brother who said that Arabs and Amazigh stood together in conquering Andalusia, this is not true. Amazigh families were detained and forced to go. When they reached the other shore, their ships were burned. The Arab leader said: The sea is behind you and the enemy is in front of you.
BEN Posted 2010-04-01
“May the Arabs and Berbers be equal and not form adversarial factions. As such, they cannot exist with one’s precedence over the others. Harmony must reign among them.” –Sidi Ahmad Ou Moussa
Jason Posted 2010-04-02
It's wonderful of having different ethnics and different traditions with different languages within a society , it's like special finger print of that kind of society ,but mutual respect between all ethnicity is extremely important ,none ethnic or group of that society must be obsess to death of her or his tradition ,cause obsession could lead to radicalism which in the end of the day will tear the society a parts , exactly like what"s happened in lebanon ,Algeria dacades ago or in Iraq recently ...so plese, don't be obsess with you Amazight language,but instead ,love and care of each other,because in the end of the journey you are all Moroccan ...and that's my advice..Thanks
Hassan Posted 2010-04-03
I sincerely think this debate is pointless. Its aim is to divide Moroccans and widen the gap between the various cultures that otherwise make us strong. If all Moroccans were to talk of their identities, I think that Morocco would be divided into several regions, each according to its origins: Fassia, Chalhe, Berbers, Aroubi, Sahrawi, Rif, Chamali and so on. This is what our enemies clearly want. You will notice that the richest people in Morocco are the Berbers. They are the one who control the entire Moroccan economy, which is to say that the government helps them in their businesses. You call this racism? We all come from a mixture of different Moroccan cultures and we are simultaneously united under our motto, “God, Homeland, King”. As for those who feel ill toward Morocco, they can leave it. Morocco – love it our leave it.
Anonymous Posted 2010-04-04
An Amazigh person once said: "Mix the eggs of hens with the eggs of the kite. One day, the chicks will fight."
Anonymous Posted 2010-04-04
Intolerance and fascism are becoming more and more evident, with slogans like “…love it or leave it.” This sort of verbal aggressiveness, which is designed to intimidate others, sooner or later leads to other forms of excessive aggressiveness. I am not placing much on social peace in Morocco.
kwintelier Posted 2010-04-05
Ben. It wasen't my purpose to offend you. I called some of your previous comments idiotic not your person! In fact, now you seem rather intelligent. Thats wy i asked about your identity, who are you? Nationality, Gender, Age, Race, Religion, etc. I'm curious! I think somebody is using your name too, or you could be suffering from a split personality!
kwintelier Posted 2010-04-05
Ben, something about that prophet you mentioned. I'm convinced every nation had it's prophets or mesengers send to them, also the tribes and people of moroco. Mohamed was according to my conviction the seal of prophets send to all nations! Now i really wonder who you are, you sound really rascally. I don't think counting ability has anything to do with descent but education! Who the hell cares about the nobel price??? It has been given to murderers!
kwintelier Posted 2010-04-05
Aghilas - Kosseila. What the hell are you talking about; Amazigh "civilization", Tunisia following in footsteps of "awakening"? (may allah prohibit such a disaster from happening) Like you claim yourself every one and no one can call himself amazigh, even people with totaly different languages are all amazigh. Would you please take the time to define this word amazighen properly! Are the eskimo on the southpole amazighen too? Is there some geographic boundary to this amazigh 'identity'? Is it like some sort of religion that i can convert to? What is the bounding between all these peoples that call themselves amazighen? Is it some sort of political union of peoples with shared intrests trying to create a common ideology to unite them in their differences?
BEN Posted 2010-04-06
The Greeks called the ancient inhabitants of North Africa the “Barbaroi”; it was “Babra” for the Arabs. This means: “People who do not understand language.” You're one of those people angered by our speaking the same language, but not the same tongue. I already said it: “This is the Amazigh syndrome.” Who am I? I am a forum poster who's free with his opinions! And, as for the double pseudonym, I am not responsible. Moreover, I am not judging anyone.
jocker1 Posted 2010-04-06
I think there are some who try to marginalise Amazighs. In Morocco, there is a major party which has been and is still calling for Arabisation. It considers itself the party of all Moroccans. It has also banned giving Amazigh names to newborns. They called Maghreb countries states of the Arab Maghreb and excluded a whole nation. Even the Moroccan Constitution doesn’t recognise Amazighs. You might say they are mere names, but exclusion has many aspects.
BEN Posted 2010-04-07
Idiot! Nutso! Bad man! What state secrets are your revealing? Coming from an analyst, all of this is quite nice. I appreciate the posts above so much. As for private correspondence, Magharebia has intentionally not provided us a space for this. What a shame!
Kwintelier Posted 2010-04-08
Ben i'm not angered by anything or anyone, nor the arabs nor the amazighen. I have always been teached to love the Arabs as allah chose them to bear his message untill the end of times. At the resurrection on judgement day they will bear the responsibillity of the faith that was entrusted to the prophet (pbuh) send in their mids. And so will we be questioned about our stance towards them concerning their heritage.
amazigh Posted 2010-04-08
to so called MR BEN IF YOU THINK THAT WE THE AMAZIGH HAVE A SYNDROME . THERE IS ONE WORD FOR FSSI IGNORANT PACT YOUR BAGS AND LEAVE . WE WILL FIGHT TO THE END .
عبدالعزيز Posted 2010-04-08
Peace and mercy of God be upon you. Who said there is a conflict between Moroccan Arabs and Amazigh? There is just a small category which can be considered an odd trend running against the overall love and harmony linking Moroccans. Neither history nor facts bear witness to what these people say or support their claims. If we go back to the past, we find eminent Amazigh figures in Arabic writing. Their books are taught in all parts of the Arab world.
ميس نتيطاوين Posted 2010-04-10
Tamazight is the native identity of the Maghreb.
el ouahrouchi Posted 2010-04-10
Hello everyone- I think that we Amazighs are still the victims of a lot of discrimination in our own lands. This is serious. We are not Arabs and we never will be. This is a reality.
BEN Posted 2010-04-11
To the person who said, “to so-called MR BEN IF YOU THINK THAT WE THE AMAZIGH HAVE A SYNDROME . THERE IS ONE WORD FOR FSSI IGNORANT PACT YOUR BAGS AND LEAVE . WE WILL FIGHT TO THE END .”- Hey, it seems my grandmother is taking part in this debate. Consequently – though I am doubtful about so doing – like so many others before me, I would like to tell Magharebia to get a good forum moderator. She thinks I live as a squatter.
أوباها Posted 2010-04-12
I don’t like anonymous letters because they don’t reflect freedom and democracy. I hail from Ait Baamrane. I don’t know much about Berber. I was born in Kénitra, Morocco. I worked in Azemour, Salé, and finally I returned to Kénitra. I don’t see any difference between Moroccan citizens in the land of the kingdom because we support the monarchy and live by it under a protection which others in third world countries. Those who were born in Morocco expelled racism, imposed his Islam, Amazigh, Sahrawi or other origins for the interest of the nation and in order to preserve gains. Any identity must be preserved from the enemies of the nations who exploit socialism, communism and all forms of oppositions on the basis of religion or race to stir chaos, terrorism and foreign interventions as is the case in countries which endure wars and sectarianism. Morocco is for everyone. It is the duty of Moroccans from Tangier to Lagouira to fight political, religious and economic slips to achieve the general dream thanks to all the categories which enjoy the air of Morocco, its water and peace preserved by the monarchy of tolerance.
jocker1 Posted 2010-04-13
I think that opinions of Ben should not make us angry. At least he doesn’t hide anything up his sleeve. There are many people who hate us, but at the same time laugh at us in the face. Moreover, this enriches the discussion.
لحسن Posted 2010-04-14
I suggest that a referendum be held to make Arabic and Tamazight official languages of the country.
ayour de tamazga Posted 2010-04-14
For me, authentic Arabs are Arabs of the past who ride camels. I am talking about the master of the universe. But now, which Arabs are we talking about? About mercenaries? But the unified Amazigh people are certainly coming and Arabs will have to go back to the peninsula. Our civilization is noble and will remain so. We have pledged to God to protect Islam and we will be faithful to the pledge. Therefore, there is no justification for your presence. So leave this country to its owners!
mazigh Posted 2010-04-14
King Mohamed is an Arab Zionist. Sooner or later the kingdom will fall in Morocco. Down with the Arab Ba’athist Zionists! Long live the Amazighs, the free men!
SaharYa Posted 2010-04-14
I am not Berber, but I have nothing against them. I am from the Grand Maghreb. I am shocked by ourselves! Why are we behaving like this toward them?!? We need a solution fast!
kwintelier Posted 2010-04-15
The Kabilian opposition to the dominant 'Arab' culture imposed by the Algerian government has an obvious islamic tint. They were more than once blamed from having ties with Al qaida so their motive can't be racist. I think it is far more courageous (not that i support any form of terrorism) than the Moroccan anti arab sentiment that has poluted their consciousness, they have at last been victimized by their own hate that has consumed them!
kwintelier Posted 2010-04-15
I think the Europeans have found a good solution for their problems of Irish terrorism in the UK and the Basque independence strugle in Spain. Europe of the communities gives every community on the European territory an equal voice. If in North Africa every etnic group had the chance to form a subdivision of a greater government al the problems would have been solved. equality, prosperity and mutual respect for all!
azougay Posted 2010-04-26
The reality is that the Amazighs are oppressed and despised by the Arab-Andalusian people. And no one can deny this injustice – it is a fact. The solution is democracy: a government of the people, by the people and for the people. If there ever were a democracy, the anti-Amazigh racists would be in the minority and disappear. Please note, I would like to say to Mr Idrissi that the majority of the Idrissis currently from Morocco are Amazighs and speak Amazigh. I ask you to take a trip to the Atlas or Rif Mountains or to the South. Try to talk to the Idrissis from these regions. If they were Arabs, they would be chased away. Reading fabricated histories of how the Berbers came from Yemen is a sign of ignorance.
التارقي Posted 2010-04-27
Honestly, Arabs have a despicable kind of racism. What Amazigh people do is a reaction to this racism. Arabs weren’t known before Islam. Islam is for everyone, not limited to anyone in particular, and doesn’t exclude anyone.
kwinelier Posted 2010-05-17
Islam does exclude those who refuse to obey the orders from the koran and sunna, like the hypocrites, thieves, pimps, vandals etc... A real believer is he who is happy under the rule of Islam not he who fights the dawa from within and who's neighbours aren't safe of his evil doings.
Bezza Posted 2010-05-22
Muslims who have made progress and do not have Arab as a language or culture – the Iranians, Turks, Indonesians, Malaysians and so on – have demonstrated this to us. Arab-Islamic racism has become a hegemony and a form of apartheid, not to mention fascism. The Amazighs have suffered from this just like the Sudanese, Kurds, Copts and so many others. We want to progress, so we must decree Tamazight an official language in the same way Arabic is. This is a first step toward equality and tolerance in our society. Genetically speaking, there is nothing left to prove – the North Africans are not Arabs. To the unrepentant Arabists- I suggest that you get yourself tested and you will be convinced. God, as far as I know, is not Arabic. You need a big dose of arrogance to dare to confirm a sacred status to Arabic and the Arab people and to say that God speaks it, attributing racist and supremacist words to Him. This goes too far. Long live the people who aspire to equality and progress, just as God made them. –Azul fellawen, Bezza (from Kent, Canterbury)
hamza usk Posted 2010-06-08
They've become rich. They've taken estates, but they don't enjoy that money or anything. They're keen on collecting money. Even when they die and go to the grave, they leave their sons a billion and more.
said Posted 2010-07-13
we the amazigh people must fight for our fredoom for our identity . we are like a strangers in our land . it's forbidden to use a amazigh names , we don't have liberty such as arab people but that will be not stay long . the amazigh revolution is comming. tamazgha kingdoom . amazigh for ever
hassan Posted 2010-08-06
It's a great thing that we, berbers have come this far. We have always been treated as underdeveloped creatures by those hostile intruders who emerged from caves carrying swords in their hands threatening to kill anyone who shows any slight disagreement with their hypocritical claims. I am so happy that after all these centuries, bearing life as second class citizens.we have managed to communicate with each others freely. we must be thankful to those behind this modern technology that has helped lighten dark corners on our planet. A M A Z I G H , GREAT PEOPLE, who need to be more respected
Hassan Posted 2010-08-06
I am wondering why you haven't posted my comment. I am still waiting. I'll add more comments.Thanks
Hins H. Wneio Posted 15 days ago
Berbers were in Morocco before the Arabs. The Berber's code gave - and gives - women more rights than those given by "the courtesay of Islam" (? What a pretense saying that). It is true that Islam, after being imposed ( better said programmed) on the Berbers' minds, is what "unites" Moroccoan, but the truth is that there is a lot of anger in Morocco against Rabat and that minority of Arab descendecy who enjoys all the privileges...There is a lot of anger in Morocco. What Rabat is going to do is to invent some conflict with those Spanish enclaves in Melilla and Ceuta ( or some sacred agenda) to divert the attention...For how long?
YOUNESS Posted 14 days ago
One way of resolving this problem is to give the Berber all of their problems, and I do mean “all”: Put their language into their constitution; apologise to the Amazigh people for the damages caused by those who stole their land and chased them into the mountains; inject positive discrimination so that most colleges, ministries and state positions have a majority of Berbers; give autonomy to the Berber regions, stop saying “Arab Morocco” or “Arab Maghreb” and simply say “Morocco” and the “Grand Maghreb”; prohibit all forms of racism against those who are not Arabised – on the television, in the street and so on; and, finally, revise history lessons so as to tell the truth. Here is one very important point: all the dynasties that governed Morocco were Berber – the Almohades, the Meridines, the Moravides, etc. – and 95% of the Moroccan population is Berber by origin and the rest is mixed.
مغربية عربية Posted 2 days ago
Moroccans are all brothers Amazigh and Arabs. Even Qur’an talked about different peoples and tribes in their dialects. The most important thing is that the human should be a good Muslim. My sincere greetings to all my Arab and Amazigh brothers and sisters.
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