In a surprising turn of events, a cultural and intellectual seminar dedicated to the life of the Moroccan resistance figure, Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi, which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the iconic Hassan Tower Hotel in Rabat, has been officially canceled due to a prohibition imposed by the authorities. Sources from the organizing committee informed goud.ma that the necessary permits were not granted, raising questions about the motivations behind this decision.
Concerns have been voiced regarding whether the cancellation is linked to the content of the seminar itself or the organizers, particularly given the backdrop of recent allegations concerning the purchase of property in Marrakech by the Minister of the Interior, Abdelwahid El Fatti. The event was to feature a presentation of the collective book titled 'Mohamed Ben Abdelkrim El Khattabi: A Documentary Biography – The Legend and the Truth,' and was expected to attract a host of academics and researchers keen on discussing the legacy of this historical figure.
Despite the significance of the seminar, the authorities reportedly withheld the final approval from the organizing institution, 'Mounafrik Prodcom,' which is affiliated with the website 'Parlement.com.' This last-minute denial of permission has placed the organizers and invited guests in a particularly awkward situation. Questions linger as to whether the prohibition relates specifically to the themes surrounding El Khattabi or if it pertains to the earlier reports published by 'Parlement.com' regarding real estate dealings associated with Minister El Fatti.
If the restrictions stem from these two issues, it poses a serious threat to the principle of freedom of expression. As of now, there has been no official statement from the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region's authority detailing the legal reasons behind the ban on this cultural activity. The anticipation builds as stakeholders wonder whether the organizers will seek an alternative venue for the seminar or pursue legal action against the decision.
As reported by goud.ma.
