Multiculturalism : a fundamental characteristic of Moroccan society

"In promoting the Amazigh language and culture, Morocco reaffirms that multiculturalism is a fundamental characteristic of Moroccan society," said Naji, who was speaking at an international symposium in Fez on multiculturalism and democracy in the Muslim world, which ended Saturday evening.

"The policy of multiculturalism encourages exchanges between groups and helps members of ethno-cultural communities overcome barriers that impede their full participation in all aspects of Moroccan society," he explained at the meeting, launched within the 5th Fes Festival of Amazigh Culture.

This approach, he said, achieves equal opportunities and intercultural understanding, "by eliminating discrimination, helping institutions to become more responsive to cultural diversity and ensuring that all Moroccans have a place in society ".

He noted, in this regard that the outcome of this approach is that "today, Moroccans feel a deep attachment to the various facets of their identity, whether related to gender, region, language, or culture".

Mr. Naji, who is director of the 5th edition of Fes Festival of Amazigh Culture (July 2-5), also recalled that the sociolinguistic situation in Morocco is characterized by multilingualism and cultural diversity, represented by an array of languages and varieties, including Berber, Moroccan Arabic, Classical Arabic, French, Spanish and English".

He added that "multiculturalism, multilingualism and tolerance towards other cultures that characterize the kingdom are the result of the country's contact with Phoenicians, Romans, Byzantines, Vandals, Arabs, French and Spaniards.

Organized by the Spirit Foundation of Fes, in partnership with the Royal Institute of Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) and the North-South Center for Intercultural Dialogue, the festival included two parts, one devoted to debates on multiculturalism and the other dedicated to songs and Amazigh poetry.