In a recent episode of the program "Achkayen with Hicham," broadcasted on the platforms of "Achkayen" and the Belgian television channel "Maghreb TV," businessman and political figure Fawzi Al-Chaabi was invited to discuss a range of current issues. One topic that sparked considerable debate was a widely circulated video showcasing a group of Jewish individuals performing communal religious rituals in front of a historic wall in Marrakech. Al-Chaabi's initial reaction to the event was one of acceptance; he described witnessing Jews practicing their rituals in a public space in Marrakech as "very normal," emphasizing that he felt no provocation as a Moroccan or a Muslim. He highlighted the importance of freedom of worship, referencing the Moroccan model of coexistence and drawing parallels to the experiences of Muslims in Europe, particularly in France during the 1970s, where they practiced their faith in modest spaces like garages and apartments, a practice that was generally accepted by French society.
Al-Chaabi expressed concerns about the potential misuse of these images by the "far-right" in foreign countries, particularly in France, to justify restrictions on Muslims there. He suggested that the prohibition of mosque construction or the limitation of Muslim prayers in Europe could gain "legitimacy" if the narrative is pushed that Muslims do not tolerate the rituals of others in their own countries. "We pray in the streets of Europe and lay out carpets during Ramadan, and the French accept this despite occasional noise; thus, we must also accept others," he asserted.
In a related vein, Al-Chaabi vehemently criticized the demolition of certain historical Christian sites in Morocco, citing the demolition of a church in Kenitra for the construction of a headquarters for Bank Al-Maghrib as a "crime against history." He compared this action to Spain's efforts to conserve historical mosques in Andalusia, which receive substantial budgets for restoration as part of their historical legacy.
Addressing the connection some have made between these religious practices and the topic of "normalization" or what others describe as "Zionist infiltration in Morocco," Al-Chaabi dismissed these interpretations as "myths." He maintained that such individuals are ultimately "subjects of His Majesty the King" just like Muslims and have the full right to practice their rituals. He concluded his remarks by urging people to move beyond the "shock of the first sight" for those unaccustomed to seeing Jewish ceremonial attire, reaffirming that coexistence with Moroccan Jews is an integral part of the identity and history of a kingdom renowned for its tolerance.
As reported by achkayen.com.
