Moroccans – A Surprisingly Open Society
We entered the stately Moroccan villa in Casablanca. The meal prepared by our host was a sumptuous feast of carefully prepared cuisine, absent any milk products out of respect to our Jewish dietary customs. As gracious as our host was, what truly left us amazed were the young Muslim guests that dined with us.
Abdul and Driss were fervent participants in the Moroccan Mimouna association—a confederation of hundreds of Moroccan young adult Muslims devoted to preserving and protecting Morocco’s Jewish heritage. The name “Mimouna” is taken from the Moroccan Jewish custom of hosting post Passover fests for their Muslim neighbors when the leaven that had been safeguarded by the Muslims for the duration of Pesach were returned to the Jewish owners. The feasts were the Jewish expression of gratitude.
“Driss” from the Mimouna Association
Next, we met the chief Imam of Marrakech. Together with a professor of Islamic studies, we heard of Morocco’s commitment to pluralism and tolerance. The academic proudly told us that the previous king of Morocco refused to turn his Jewish subjects over to the Nazis (and French Vichys) and that the current king is committed to diplomatic ties with Israel (though recently complicated by the Gaza war). The Imam spoke of the Moroccan state’s active commitment to interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance. He revealed that Morocco trains all of its 47,000 imams and their replacements in a central facility that requires a commitment to upholding the rights of all religions (especially Judaism) as its central tenet. The same institution prepares imams from Europe and Africa, hoping to spread its brand of tolerant Islam throughout the globe. Though women cannot serve as imams, they are formally trained as religious guides and scholars.
Session with Imam
Once again, Morocco and Moroccans opened our eyes to a version of Islam that we did not know existed in the Arab world.
—Rabbi Ron Stern
“Driss” from the Mimouna Association
Session with Imam
These two gentlemen spoke of their pride in Morocco’s embrace of both the Jewish Toshavim (settlers who made their way to Morocco along trade roots from second temple times) and Megorashim (Jews who found safe harbor in Morocco upon fleeing the Spanish inquisition). At its peak in the 1960’s, the Jewish population reached a quarter of a million souls. Members of Mimouna made frequent visits to Israel before October 7th—and hope to resume the cultural dialogue soon. Unfortunately, U.S. visa rules have made it nearly impossible for representatives to come to the U.S.
Next, we met the chief Imam of Marrakech. Together with a professor of Islamic studies, we heard of Morocco’s commitment to pluralism and tolerance. The academic proudly told us that the previous king of Morocco refused to turn his Jewish subjects over to the Nazis (and French Vichys) and that the current king is committed to diplomatic ties with Israel (though recently complicated by the Gaza war). The Imam spoke of the Moroccan state’s active commitment to interfaith dialogue and religious tolerance. He revealed that Morocco trains all of its 47,000 imams and their replacements in a central facility that requires a commitment to upholding the rights of all religions (especially Judaism) as its central tenet. The same institution prepares imams from Europe and Africa, hoping to spread its brand of tolerant Islam throughout the globe. Though women cannot serve as imams, they are formally trained as religious guides and scholars.
Once again, Morocco and Moroccans opened our eyes to a version of Islam that we did not know existed in the Arab world.
—Rabbi Ron Stern