Reconstructing the Historical Tapestry of Al-Andalus
The prominent Moroccan historian and researcher, Abdullah Boussouf, delved into the historical intricacies surrounding the memory of Al-Andalus during a recent episode of the "Hespress Discussion" program. He highlighted the notion that Morocco and Al-Andalus have historically existed as a unified cultural and political sphere. The strait that separates the two was, in antiquity, merely a minor passageway, devoid of any significant separation between the two banks. Boussouf critically pointed out that applying modern national state concepts with their defined borders to the geography of the Middle Ages is scientifically flawed. He emphasized that the people of Al-Andalus were essentially Moroccans, engaged in a continuous exchange of knowledge and commerce across both sides of the strait.
Furthermore, Boussouf underscored that the current historical narrative is largely a product of Spanish and European Orientalist studies that intentionally sought to isolate the territory of Al-Andalus from Morocco, thereby integrating it into a purely Spanish national history. This systematic endeavor began after the Reconquista, which evolved into a campaign of cultural and civilizational eradication, initiated via the plundering of manuscripts and their reinterpretation according to Orientalist perspectives to serve the purpose of separating the two lands. He lamented that many Arab historians from the East have echoed this Orientalist narrative, adopting and embedding its conclusions into their writings without sufficient engagement with the history of Morocco.
Iconic Figures and Their Misplaced Legacies
Boussouf provided tangible examples of this historical appropriation, illustrating how prominent figures and scholars, intrinsically linked to Moroccan identity, have been narrowly defined within Andalusian or Eastern identities. For instance, the renowned philosopher Ibn Rushd authored significant works on Aristotle's philosophy in Marrakech under the auspices of the Almohad Caliphate, subsequently transferring Aristotelian philosophy to Europe. Similarly, the famed mystic Ibn Arabi stated in his writings that his spiritual and mystical identity was fully cultivated in Fez, where he studied and grew; yet, many today mistakenly regard him merely as an Andalusian scholar. This issue extends to other historical figures such as Ibn Khaldun, who spent more years in Morocco than in Tunisia, and other scholars who contributed immensely to sciences and mathematics in Europe, like Ibn al-Banna al-Marrakushi, all while the contributions of Moroccan institutions, including Al-Qarawiyyin University and the historically rich city of Ceuta, are often overlooked.
Boussouf also drew attention to contemporary attempts to appropriate Moroccan heritage in the realm of drama, where figures like Ibn Arabi are misrepresented as spiritual advisors in foreign historical series without any historical basis for such portrayals. His analysis did not limit itself to the Andalusian context but extended to contemporary issues regarding the appropriation of Moroccan monuments, notably the Grand Mosque of Paris. Based on archival documents from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he affirmed that the Moroccan Sultan issued a decree in 1917 for the mosque's construction, with all materials sourced from Casablanca, and that the workers, engineers, and even the one who determined the qibla were all Moroccan. The first sermon in the mosque was delivered by Moroccan Imam Skirj, and Sultan Moulay Youssef personally inaugurated the mosque in 1926, rejecting the involvement of any other entity as he held the religious and political legitimacy. Thus, Morocco's claim to this historical monument today is both legitimate and necessary.
In closing, Boussouf issued a clarion call to Moroccan universities to be bold and establish specialized programs focused on the Moroccan-Andalusian narrative to reclaim this rich history and correct its misrepresentation. He stressed the importance of viewing history in its comprehensive context, as articulated by Ibn Khaldun and Fernand Braudel, to understand the evolution of mentalities and grasp the present moment for building a better future. He encouraged investment in drama and artistic endeavors to promote the glorious Moroccan history, asserting that the Moroccan identity, imbued with values of rationality, enlightenment, and tolerance, serves as a robust fortress for society. The strength of scientific research and knowledge production is the sole pathway to counter any attempts to appropriate the collective memory of the Moroccan nation.
As reported by hespress.com.
