On Saturday, the Ahmed Shihlan Foundation for Studies and Research in Western Islamic Knowledge organized a memorial event in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Marrakech, as well as the family of the late Abdel Ghani Abu Al-Azm, marking the fortieth day since his passing. This gathering was a heartfelt tribute to a figure who significantly contributed to the cultural and intellectual landscape of Marrakech and Morocco at large.
During the event, Abd Al-Jalil Al-Karifa, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, expressed the institution's pride in hosting this gathering, attended by numerous prominent figures, associations, and cultural institutions from Marrakech. He emphasized the importance of honoring the spirit and contributions of the late Abdel Ghani Abu Al-Azm, who dedicated his life to the advancement of the Moroccan university, the city of palm trees, and the promotion of the Arabic language, culture, and Moroccan heritage.
The dean further noted that the University of Cadi Ayyad and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities had previously honored Abu Al-Azm twice, first in 2014 and again in 2023. He highlighted the deep connection this intellectual had with the faculty, its students, and its academic staff, despite not being a formal member.
In her remarks, poet Malika Al-Asimi explained that one of the aims of this initiative was to symbolically bring the late scholar back to Marrakech, a city with which he had a profound association culturally, politically, and socially. She stated, "At this moment, we remember him as a towering intellectual and reciprocate the love he bestowed upon the city of palm trees."
Moulay Mumin Al-Murini from the Ahmed Shihlan Foundation pointed out that the memorial event, organized with the collaboration of various cultural and social institutions, aimed to achieve two main objectives. Firstly, to present Abdel Ghani Abu Al-Azm as a model of a humble, simple citizen who attained the highest levels of knowledge and lectured at the largest Moroccan, Arab, and global universities, enriching both national and international libraries with numerous studies.
He continued in an interview with Hespress, stating that the second objective behind organizing this memorial was to highlight that Abu Al-Azm was known for his unique approach exemplified in the "Al-Ghani Dictionary," which is the latest Arabic dictionary published in Morocco. Therefore, they hope to use his legacy as an inspiration for today's generation in scientific research.
In closing, the representative of the Shihlan Foundation called for intensified efforts to organize a symposium aimed at exploring the diverse scientific paths of the late scholar, with the aim of producing a book that encapsulates his vast knowledge. Additionally, the memorial was supported by several organizations including "Marrakech Heritage," "Marrakech Forum," "Tansift Development Center," and the "Abdullah Al-Shalih Association for Melhun Enthusiasts in Marrakech."
As reported by hespress.com.
