Former Moroccan Minister Soumia Benkhaldoun Dies at 60 After Cancer Battle

Benkhaldoun’s passing was made public by her brother, Reda Benkhaldoun, in a social media message. The funeral took place this Wednesday, June 28 at the Chouhada Mosque in Rabat, after the Al Asr prayer. In recent days, as her health deteriorated, messages of support have poured in from her former colleagues and PJD cadres.

Born in 1963, Soumia Benkhaldoun was an important figure in Moroccan politics. A graduate of the Mohammedia School of Engineering (EMI), she was a professor at Ibn Tofail University from 1994 to 2006. She then held the position of deputy for two terms from 2002 to 2011, and chaired the Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Defense and Islamic Affairs in the House of Representatives.