A prominent Moroccan political figure has recently labeled an incident involving Jewish tourists praying in public as a "provocation." This incident, which occurred last week, gained significant attention after a video surfaced, showing a group of ultra-Orthodox Jews praying in front of Bab Doukkala, the main northwestern gate of the Medina in Marrakech. In the footage, dozens of men clad in black coats can be seen engaging in traditional Jewish prayer rituals at this historical site, which does not hold any known Jewish significance.
Jackie Kadouch, a representative of the local Jewish community, explained that the group was fulfilling a religious obligation to pray at that specific time, as orthodox Jewish law mandates daily prayers to be conducted at precise hours. The following day, the incident sparked a protest where dozens gathered at the site to express their discontent, some waving Palestinian flags and displaying anti-Israel messages. Fortunately, the demonstration ended peacefully, with no reported clashes, as per local media sources.
On Sunday, former Moroccan Prime Minister and current Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party, Abdelilah Benkirane, spoke out against the public Jewish prayers, asserting that they represent a provocation to Moroccans. In a video statement, Benkirane emphasized, "The prayer itself is not the issue; the problem lies in the provocation, and we stand against this provocation." He drew parallels to prayers at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is adjacent to the Temple Mount.
Benkirane further asserted that such activities should not have been permitted, suggesting that the state ought to have clarified that while individuals are welcome to pray, it should only occur within their own places of worship. This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding religious practices in public spaces, particularly in a region where diverse cultures intersect.
As reported by fr.timesofisrael.com.
