Latest news with #Belgian-Moroccan
Ya Biladi
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Belgium's MR Party pushes for recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara
In the context of growing bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Belgium in security, economy, and energy, Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the Reformist Movement (MR), sees an opportunity to win over a significant base of dual-national voters. For years, the Belgian liberal party has been trying to attract this demographic. Invited to Tetouan last weekend by Belgian entrepreneurs for a conference, the liberal leader also added a diplomatic dimension to his visit by meeting with the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), in Rabat. In a video released on Wednesday, Bouchez introduced a bill aimed at recognizing Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and supporting the autonomy plan proposed by Rabat. The newspaper La Libre Belgique devoted an article in its May 14 edition to the MR's initiatives to «win over Belgian-Moroccan voters», particularly through this bill concerning a region «currently considered a 'non-self-governing territory' by the UN». Bouchez claims to have already visited Laayoune and Dakhla and believes that «it is now clear that the sovereignty and administration of Western Sahara are effectively and legitimately in Morocco's hands». «I hope this approach will help me build a majority of support among other political parties, while also taking into account certain demands from neighboring countries», Bouchez added. «I hope this approach will help me build a majority of support among other political parties, while also taking into account certain demands from neighboring countries», Bouchez added. Strengthening the Candidate and Voter Base The Belgian newspaper notes that the liberals have long-standing ties with Morocco, the country of origin for many dual-national voters. Two years ago, a group of five Brussels MR elected officials visited Morocco. In this context, Bouchez aims to strengthen his relationships with center-right parties in various countries to counterbalance the left, ensuring a solid base of voters — and potentially even Belgian-Moroccan candidates. However, within other center and left-wing parties, dual-national candidates seem to be gaining ground, as evidenced by those from the Socialist or Labor Party. With his stance on the Sahara issue, Bouchez is making a bold move to restore his image with the Belgian-Moroccan community. He still faces backlash for past controversial remarks about the Moroccan community, which he previously described as «people who have houses in Morocco and receive social benefits in Belgium».
Morocco World
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Convicted Terrorist Abdelkader Belliraj Released Following Royal Pardon
Rabat – King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to Abdelkader Belliraj, a Belgian-Moroccan convicted of leading a radical Islamist network and sentenced to life in prison. His wife, Rachida Hatti, confirmed his release, telling AFP on Monday: 'My husband has been granted a royal pardon and left prison last night (Sunday).' Belliraj was among the 31 inmates convicted in extremism and terrorism-related cases who received clemency after officially renouncing their beliefs and expressing their commitment to national values, according to a statement from the Ministry of Justice. The ministry did not disclose the names of those pardoned but stressed that they had 'revised their ideological views and rejected extremism and terrorism.' Arrested in 2008, Belliraj was sentenced to life in prison the following year for leading a radical Islamist network and carrying out six murders in Belgium in the late 80s and early 90s — charges he has consistently denied. His sentence was upheld on appeal in 2010. In the same trial, 34 co-defendants received sentences ranging from suspended prison terms to 30 years. Some of them, including political figures from moderate Islamist parties, were granted royal pardons in 2011. Human rights advocates criticized the 2009 mass trial, citing 'serious violations' of the defendants' rights. Since 2012, several co-defendants, including politicians and a journalist, have been released through royal pardons — some for health reasons, while others had completed their sentences. Belliraj remained one of the last convicts still behind bars until his recent release. The pardon was part of a broader royal amnesty benefiting 1,533 convicts on the occasion of Eid Al Fitr. Tags: abdelkader BellirajEid Al Fitr 2025royal pardon
Ya Biladi
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Belgium : Yassin Akouh's 'The Colonial Curse' explores the Rif
"The Colonial Curse – Relations between the Moroccan State and the Rif' is a book by Belgian-Moroccan journalist Yassin Akouh, dedicated to a region in Morocco known for the historical figure Mohamed ben Abdelkrim el-Khattabi (1882 – 1963). In this work, published by Houtekiet, the 24-year-old Flemish author and activist delves into valuable archives to analyze the impact of the Rif resistance leader on regional history, local identity, and social movements. However, the book is less comprehensive regarding events in the region after the end of colonization and the Protectorate. Nonetheless, Yassin Akouh offers a factual reading of the anti-colonial struggle and certain contemporary issues, demonstrating that El-Khattabi embodies an intergenerational symbol for both Moroccans and Belgian-Moroccans from Rif. De Standaard recalls that towards the end of 2013, Antwerp was marked by a revealing dynamic. That year, the residents of Borgerhout were consulted about renaming Terloplein square. In this neighborhood, known for its large Moroccan community, one of the alternative proposals was the name El-Khattabi, in homage to the legendary leader of the Moroccan Rif resistance who led an armed struggle against Spanish colonizers in the 1920s. The initiative sparked a heated political debate, even questioning the integration of binational individuals. Ultimately, the square retained its original name. Meanwhile, Yassin Akouh conducts reports on the Hirak movement which started in Rif back in 2016. From this, he concludes the omnipresence of the figure of the "emir," which led him to connect the history of the movements experienced in the region to its famous leader. In this regard, the author thoroughly addresses the anti-colonial uprising of 1920-1926, the heavy defeat of the Spanish army, and their subsequent use of chemical weapons, which hastened the surrender of the nationalist leader and the fall of the Republic of the Rif.
Ya Biladi
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
I have Two Loves : Moroccan voices celebrating immigration stories through collaborative writing
For the first time in 60 years of Belgian-Moroccan immigration, a group of binational authors has come together for a collective writing project exploring both Morocco and Belgium. In the short story collection «J'ai deux amours» (I Have Two Loves), psychopedagogue and gender expert Fatiha Saidi brings together first-generation migrants and writers from subsequent generations to share diverse narratives and perspectives on both countries. This book serves as a bridge between generations, with its initiator—a political representative from 1999 to 2018—remaining deeply committed to preserving memory. Through a rich tapestry of stories, the collection delves into contemporary challenges in both the country of origin and the country of residence, as well as themes of ancestry, death, childhood memories, the symbolism of land, and social representations. In this interview, Fatiha Saidi explains how the experiences of today and tomorrow, as lived and recounted by the children of immigrants, are meaningfully reflected in this work. How did the idea for this project come about ? This project is close to my heart, and the idea emerged as part of the 60th-anniversary celebrations of Moroccan immigration to Belgium in 2024. The immigration agreements were signed on February 17, 1964. I wanted to leave a lasting mark—a human story capturing the journeys of those shaped by this migration. For me, there is no better way to do that than through a book. Since I am neither a director nor a filmmaker, my medium remains writing. Later, I thought it would be most interesting to bring together Belgian-Moroccan authors for a collective short story collection. I immediately considered involving my friend Saïd Ben Ali, with whom I was finalizing an epistolary novel, Come Back and Tell Me You Love Me, which was released around the same time. That's how I Have Two Loves came to life. Saïd Ben Ali embraced the idea, and together, we began compiling a list of Belgian-Moroccan authors who came to mind. In the end, twelve voices contributed to the book. We had hoped to include binational Flemish writers as well, but unfortunately, we were unable to reach them—underscoring the cultural divide between French- and Dutch-speaking communities, even among Belgian-Moroccans. Despite this, those we did reach were enthusiastic about being part of the project. Among them was Ikram Maâfi, one of the last to join, whose participation was especially important to me. I first met her at a literary evening focused on the theme of transmission, alongside our friend Rachid Benzine. That night, she read a deeply moving piece in tribute to her father, who is buried in Morocco. Her words left a lasting impression on me. Later, when I invited her to contribute to the collection, she accepted—and her text now forms part of I Have Two Loves. This collection brings together authors of different generations, with a near-equal representation of men and women. Was gender parity an important criterion for you? Yes, ensuring gender balance was essential to me. A slight imbalance wouldn't have been an issue, but I couldn't imagine putting together a collection of eleven stories with twelve authors—including sociologist and immigration specialist Nouria Ouali, who wrote the preface—without maintaining some level of parity. It was equally important to me that women were well represented, because history is written with them. Often, they are the invisible or overlooked figures in this history, and I fight every day to bring them out of the shadows. As for the diversity of age groups, we are still few in the field of writing as Belgian-Moroccans, within the context of this immigration story. We don't have a large pool of writers, and we focused on those within the Brussels region. However, I believe this group of authors is fairly representative of our immigration experience, with contributors aged between 30 and 60, including those in their 40s and 50s. This panel reflects our immigration story, much like what you've done previously in Echo of Memory on the Rif Mountains, a tribute to your region of origin. In this new work, do you see it as part of a collective process, similar to your approach of giving a voice to those shaping immigration? I would say yes and no. Yes, because for a few decades now, I've felt it's essential for us to speak for ourselves. Our parents didn't write or speak for themselves. By sharing our migratory journeys, we also give them back their voices, as we speak about the paths they walked. In a way, we're also recounting their stories. They migrated, settled in a new land, and then Belgium became our country. Some of us were born here, while others, like me, arrived at the age of 5 or 6, like Ahmed Medhoune, one of our authors, or Nouria Ouali. Moreover, I wouldn't say this collective project fully aligns with my personal writing approach, as I gave the authors some technical constraints, such as limiting story length and requiring them to evoke both Morocco and Belgium. Beyond that, the stories could take any form, either inspired by real life or entirely fictional, depending on the author's choice. My own story is entirely fictional and titled I Have Two Loves, in reference to the song by Joséphine Baker. It explores the journey of a young woman questioning her dual identities. I drew inspiration from Amin Maalouf's book Deadly Identities as I crafted my narrative. Taha Adnan also contributed a fictional story, while Ahmed Medhoune told the story of a little boy, which seems to reflect his own experience, though it may also be fictional. Other stories are grounded in real-life writing, such as Ikram Maâfi's and Fatima Zibouh's. Fatima, for example, wrote a letter to her son with an autobiographical narrative. Faten Wehbe offered a fictional tale about a young couple facing racism in Belgium, who, after deciding to return to Morocco, realize that the country they idealized no longer feels familiar. They have to confront society again and «integrate» once more. These are unique and varied stories, each with its own personal style. Returning to your story and the title of the collection, why Joséphine Baker? What does she represent to you? Joséphine Baker is someone very dear to my heart. I admire her not only for her artistic talent but also for her commitment and activism. She embodied an open, world-embracing figure, and I appreciate her willingness to welcome children from the countries she visited, including a Moroccan child. Joséphine Baker was also deeply engaged during World War II, and I particularly admire her fight against racism. The concept of «two loves» is perfect for a collection of stories like the one we're creating, which explores both Belgium and Morocco. In her song, she sings about America and France—two countries where she struggled—but she praises them as her loves, even when they were difficult. Given my deep admiration for Joséphine Baker, I read extensively about her and discovered that she had once visited Morocco, though unfortunately under less-than-ideal circumstances. She was ill, hospitalized, and taken under the protection of King Mohammed V. I found this history particularly symbolic for our choice of title. History: What links Morocco to the icon Joséphine Baker enthroned at the Panthéon In a world where racist discourse is on the rise, where colonization is being legitimized, and xenophobic political currents are gaining momentum, is your reference to Joséphine Baker a way of showing that the struggles of the past are still relevant today? I think that's exactly what it reflects, and this kind of racism is present in some of the stories. Joséphine Baker fought against racism, and unfortunately, it's still very much alive today. It's even growing stronger, with nationalism rising in ways that could take us back to parts of history we never want to revisit. The world today is incredibly frightening, and it's not just Europe. When we look at what's coming out of America, we don't feel reassured either. A book like this, through its short stories, can highlight how many people are still stigmatized, even after living in a country for decades. They are often still assigned a residence, but which residence is truly theirs? What does «residence» mean for an individual? Is it the country where they were born, or the country where they've lived for over fifty years? These are the questions and stories that transcend our narratives.
Ya Biladi
23-02-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik's stunning knockout comeback
DR Estimated read time: 2' Belgian-Moroccan kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik secured a dramatic knockout victory over Uku Jurjendal at GLORY 98 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on February 22. Jurjendal, who had previously found success with calf kicks against Badr Hari, struggled to implement the same strategy. The Estonian found himself in a stalemate with Ben Saddik, who remained content with minimal effort, doing just enough with low kicks to edge the rounds in his favor. Une fierté... Le champion Marocain Jamal Ben Saddik revient en force avec une victoire par KO contre l'Estonien Uku Jürjendal ??❤️ #GLORY98 #المغرب_أولا #Morocco #Maroc #DimaMaghrib #glory98 #SaharaMarocain — Morocco First ?? (@TheRealMarroqui) February 22, 2025 Trailing on points, Jurjendal came out swinging in the third round, determined to turn the tide. However, midway through, he sustained an arm injury, severely limiting his offense. In a last-ditch effort, he aimed for a knockout, but Ben Saddik capitalized on his vulnerability, landing a decisive high kick in the final moments to end the fight. «This year, I will bring the belt to Morocco. I would like to thank the King of Morocco, my Moroccan brothers and sisters, my fans, and my friends from around the world. Thank you for your support», he said at the end of the fight, with the flag of Morocco draped over his shoulders. Ben Saddik's return to the ring comes amid ongoing legal troubles. The Belgian-Moroccan kickboxer was arrested in July 2023 in connection with an alleged kidnapping linked to drug trafficking in Antwerp. Authorities suspected him of involvement in the abduction of a 29-year-old dockworker over a dispute related to a cocaine shipment. He faced charges including kidnapping, death threats, illegal possession of firearms, and participation in a criminal organization. After several weeks in detention, a Belgian court granted him conditional release in September, 2024, initially without an electronic bracelet. However, prosecutors appealed the decision, leading to his release under electronic surveillance. This is not the first time Ben Saddik has faced legal issues—he was briefly jailed in 2021 for selling encrypted phones used in criminal activities in the Sky ECC case and was later sentenced to 40 months in prison for money laundering and fraud.
