The recent comments made by an Emirati national while visiting Morocco have sparked a significant backlash across social media platforms. The individual, featured in a video where he suggested offering a 14-year-old girl for marriage, has faced widespread condemnation for allegedly promoting child marriage and potentially exploiting minors under the guise of matrimony. The NGO 'Touche pas à mon enfant' has urgently called for a judicial investigation into these remarks, expressing concern over the implications of such statements on the protection of minors.
In the video filmed from within a vehicle, the Emirati man stated, "Let the aged among you come. In Morocco, I will provide a 14-year-old girl. By God, he will suffer neither a stroke, nor hypertension, nor diabetes." This declaration triggered outrage from numerous online users, who accused him of disrespecting Morocco and its women. Following the intense backlash, the man released a follow-up video aiming to clarify his earlier statements, claiming it was a misunderstanding exacerbated by cultural differences.
He argued that his reference to age was metaphorical, likening it to the full moon, which he described as reaching its zenith on the fourteenth night. The man expressed surprise at the extent of the uproar upon returning from Morocco, insisting that the video was originally intended for a private group of friends but was subsequently leaked and shared widely on social media platforms.
In light of the controversy, 'Touche pas à mon enfant' is closely monitoring the dissemination of these videos, which they believe suggest the potential for sexual exploitation of minors under the pretext of marriage by foreign nationals. They emphasized that protecting children is a collective responsibility, urging families and citizens to report any suspicious content that might endanger the safety of minors.
Najat Anwar, the president of the NGO, revealed to Yabiladi that she has urgently communicated with the public prosecutor at the Moroccan royal presidency, requesting an immediate investigation and prosecution of anyone involved in this matter. The organization firmly believes that safeguarding children is not solely the responsibility of institutions but a shared duty within society. Any tolerance towards such conduct, they argue, poses a direct threat to children's rights and their future.
As reported by yabiladi.com.
