Faten Ben Omar El Azizi: A Life Cut Short by Migration
Faten Omar Ben El Azizi, a promising 26-year-old football player from Morocco, tragically lost her life while attempting to reach the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, alongside at least 141 others in a desperate bid for better opportunities. A dedicated athlete, Faten played for Maghreb Atlético Tetuán, a team whose vibrant colors echo those of the renowned Spanish club Atlético Madrid. Her dreams of professional football were abruptly shattered on a fateful day in July, coinciding with the news that she had been granted a visa to Spain—a bittersweet twist of fate that underscores the harsh realities faced by many young Moroccans.
Faten's passion for football was evident in her commitment to training, which took place weekly on the pitch and at the nearby beach close to her hometown of Tétouan, where she lived with her mother and siblings. Despite her love for the sport, making a sustainable living through women's football in Morocco proved nearly impossible. The financial compensation was meager, with only a modest payment of around 260 dirham (approximately £21) awarded for victories, leaving her unable to adequately support her family after the death of her father when she was just 12 years old. To supplement her income, Faten worked in Tétouan’s oldest cemetery, where she cleaned graves and sold basil, a symbol of blessings in Muslim funeral traditions.
The Struggles of Youth in Morocco
Faten's mother, Jamilla, recalls her daughter's aspirations of reaching Europe through her football career. However, the tragic outcome of her journey left Jamilla heartbroken, as Faten was laid to rest in the very cemetery where she had once worked. The mass crossing into Ceuta, which resulted in numerous fatalities, highlights a broader crisis affecting young people in Morocco. Many, like Faten, find themselves in desperate situations, with unemployment rates soaring to nearly 40% among youth aged 15 to 24. Those fortunate enough to secure employment often face low wages, with the gross minimum wage in the non-agricultural sector hovering around £250 per month.
Jamilla describes how Faten had recently become withdrawn and distant, a change that worried her family. On the morning of her disappearance, Jamilla received a call informing her that Faten's visa had been approved, a revelation that came as a shock since she was unaware of her daughter's application. The unexpected approval raised questions about Faten's motivations and the sudden decision to embark on the perilous journey towards Europe. Unfortunately, her aspirations were met with tragedy, as she drowned during the crossing.
The aftermath of this tragedy ripples through Jamilla's family, with heartbreak compounding as she learns that her eldest son successfully reached Ceuta but remains in uncertainty regarding her 14-year-old daughter, who is also believed to have made the crossing. “Now I am alone without my children,” Jamilla laments, emphasizing the profound loss and despair that migration can bring to families. The plight of Faten and countless others serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those seeking better lives, often at great personal cost. As reported by aol.co.uk.
