Amazigh is the property of all Moroccans, king
Morocco, Politics, 3/22/2002

"Amazigh is the property of all Moroccans. It is a national wealth, a basic component of the national pluralistic identity," King Mohammed VI said Thursday.

"Promoting it (Amazigh) is part of the modern, democratic society project which enhances national unity," said King Mohammed VI in an interview run this Thursday by four Lebanese papers, namely Al-Hawadith, La Revue du Liban, Monday Morning, and Al-Bairak.

Diversity, which is irrigated by its Amazigh, Arab, Islamic, Andalusian, Saharan and African tributaries, is what makes Morocco's national unity so rich, he said.

The Sovereign abstained from making any comment on the Amazigh issue in neighboring Algeria.

"My principles, my cultural background as well as my political ethics, bar me from interfering with the internal affairs of a foreign country, let alone when this country is a sister state and a neighbour for which I wish the best of stability, progress and prosperity," he said.

The Sovereign recalled the creation by Morocco of a Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture. The board of the Institute will be in charge of promoting and developing Amazigh Culture, in all fields, bearing in mind the national dimension of Amazigh culture, he said, adding "this culture is a source of pride for all Moroccans, because it is a national cultural issue, not a regional, group-based or political question." The Sovereign equally stressed the character of Morocco as "a specific case, featured by its cultural diversity which combines the ideals of tolerance, moderation and openness on all civilizations." "The Sultans of Morocco provided sanctuary to Jews facing persecution in Andalusia," he recalled, adding "They (Jews) found in my country an environment conducive to freedom, tolerance, moderation and coexistence, along with mutual respect among the sons of Abraham." He recalled the protection by his grand-father, King Mohammed V - God bless His Soul - of the Jews, facing persecution at the hands of the pro-Nazi Vichy regime in France.

"Another illustration lies in the leading role played by my late father - May God bless his soul- in the Middle East peace process, in conjunction with peace lovers among Moroccan and non-Moroccan Jews," he said.

"As the King of all Moroccans, and as the constitutional protector of the rights of all communities and individuals, I will see to it that Morocco will never experience what you mentioned, especially that Moroccans have always been advocates of peace and coexistence." "They never were violence-prone-people. This is a fact and a reality, not merely a vision," he said.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed names rector of Amazigh culture institute   (1/14/2002)
  King Mohammed speaks about vision for Morocco's economic-social development   (11/1/2001)
  Amazigh, a key component of Morocco's culture, cannot be used to serve political designs, king says   (10/17/2001)

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