The United States Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism, Elan Carr, welcomed King Mohammed VIs “vision of peace” as part of progress towards peace in the Middle East.
Speaking at a recent virtual meeting marked by the signing of a memorandum of understanding on the fight against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia with the Mimouna Association, Mr. Carr explained that the Sovereigns vision is based on “affection between Arab and Jewish peoples and between Muslim and Jewish religions”.
Signed by Mr Carr and the founder, president of the Mimouna Association, El Mehdi Boudra, this memorandum aims, inter alia, to “develop and implement programmes aimed at promoting mutual respect, appreciation, peaceful coexistence between Arab and Jewish peoples and their respective countries, and among all beliefs in the Middle East and North Africa.”
Under the terms of the agreement, these programmes will be able to build on the school curriculum of Morocco, the first country in the region to include Jewish history and culture in its textbooks. In that regard, Mr. Carr also commended the Mimouna Association for its “remarkable” and “profound” work in combating anti-Semitism and promoting the Moroccan Jewish heritage.
For his part, Kings Ambassador to the United States, Lalla Joumala Alaoui, noted that “this new partnership is timely and welcome because it extends to civil society the firm commitment of the Government of Morocco to fight anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and all forms of hatred”. “This memorandum of understanding also strengthens the deep and long-standing partnership between our two countries in combating all forms of intolerance and promoting mutual peace and coexistence,” said the ambassador. “This is a resolute commitment of His Majesty King Mohammed VI who leads by example and preserves the proud legacy of tolerance perpetuated by His ancestors,” she said.
For his part, the Deputy Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Anti-Semitism Ellie Cohanim recalled that “Moroccos Jewish community dates back to antiquity”. “Thanks to the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, the Judeo-Moroccan heritage is now taught in schools, and a centre dedicated to Jewish culture has been built in Essaouira,” said Cohanim. “The signing of this memorandum is not only dedicated to honoring Moroccos Jewish past but to creating a future of harmony and tolerance for all generations to come,” she said.
Mr. Boudra, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the American support for the efforts of the Mimouna Association to continue to carry out its mission.
During this virtual meeting, the Executive Director of the Sephardic American Federation (ASF), Jason Guberman, stressed that this memorandum of understanding represents a “new major milestone” and highlights “the vital work of the Mimouna Association to continue to make Morocco an exception in a world where intolerance is growing”.
Created in 2007 by young students “eager to promote and preserve the Judeo-Moroccan heritage”, the Association Mimouna has since expanded its activities at national level in order to engage in the education of Moroccan youth about the Moroccan Jewish heritage. This awareness is made especially through the “Days of Judeo-Moroccan Heritage” and through educational activities aimed at high school students and graduates.
By CCEiT