Melilla Muslims Urge Morocco’s King to Reopen Border with Spain

In a letter addressed to King Mohammed VI, Mohamed Ahmed Moh, the president of the Association of the Muslim Community of Melilla, has requested the reopening of the border posts of Melilla and Ceuta. In the letter, he insists on the family, historical, regional, cultural and religious ties that unite a large part of the populations of Melilla and the border regions of Morocco, stressing that the closure of the borders has led to "a social and family fracture coupled with significant emotional trauma".

Due to the closed borders, "citizens have not been able to commune with their loved ones or bury their parents with dignity. This is the sad reality," he said before continuing: "The border separating the populations of Melilla and Morocco had never prevented them from living in brotherhood and solidarity".

It is for all these reasons that the association is asking King Mohammed VI "to analyze the situation, and in full sovereignty, to make the decision that is appropriate to allow the free movement of people on both sides of the border".