Minister's Clarification on Misunderstood Remarks
The Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, has publicly apologized to the Moroccan diaspora following a wave of controversy sparked by his recent statements, which circulated widely across social media platforms. The minister emphasized that his words had been taken out of context and were not directed at the Moroccan community living abroad.
During his appearance on the program "Fanjan Ramadan," broadcast on the platforms of the newspaper "Voice of Morocco," Mezzour expressed his regret if members of the global Moroccan community felt that his comments were aimed at them. He clarified that they were not the intended audience of his remarks.
Mezzour explained that the statements that ignited the uproar were actually directed at two individuals present in the room during a discussion following their questions, which he perceived as carrying a sense of arrogance towards the nation. This occurred during his meeting with the alumni association of Central Schools and higher education institutions in Morocco.
The minister described the gathering as a lecture attended by numerous participants. During the discussion, two attendees posed questions that he interpreted as condescending towards Morocco, prompting him to respond directly with a hint of humor aimed at "bringing them back to their place," stating that "Morocco is greater than all of us."
He further emphasized that the video clip that circulated online was an edited excerpt of his speech, giving the impression that his comments were directed at all Moroccans abroad, a notion he firmly rejected as "unreasonable" and not reflective of his true message.
In his remarks, Ryad Mezzour underscored his immense respect for Moroccans living abroad, acknowledging the significance of their sacrifices in preserving their national identity and raising their children within the context of Moroccan culture while remaining connected to their homeland. He also recognized that some phrases used during the discussion "perhaps should not have been employed," and he offered apologies for those as well. However, he reiterated that his intent was never to insult the Moroccan diaspora but rather to address specific individual attitudes expressed during the meeting.
As reported by thevoice.ma.
