Moroccan Diaspora Groups Push for Amazigh Language Promotion in Government Plan

In a letter addressed to Saad Eddine El Othmani in early May, in his capacity as President of the Permanent Ministerial Commission responsible for ensuring the follow-up and evaluation of the implementation of the official character of the Amazigh language, the Amazighs mainly settled in Europe point out that the draft plan contains six shortcomings and draws up a multitude of proposals.

As its first point, the collective recommends that the Ministry of National Education extend the teaching of Amazigh, which has been in place for two decades, to Moroccan nationals abroad. This, by modifying the bilateral agreements on the teaching of the language of the host country signed between Morocco and the host states in order to include the Amazigh language and by allocating the necessary human and material resources to carry out the mission.

The members of the collective secondly propose the use of Amazigh as an official language in embassies, consulates and accredited Cadis and Adouls as well as in cultural centers abroad financed by the Moroccan state. They also demand the use of Amazigh in official documents as well as in official ceremonies and national holidays abroad, reports le Monde amazigh.

On the cultural level, the entire association demands the financing and promotion of festivals, concerts, exhibitions and facilitating the participation of Amazigh artists within the framework of cultural diplomacy events. To this end, the Amazigh diaspora wishes for more participation of Amazigh artists established abroad in the cultural and artistic programs organized in Morocco (musicians, painters, actors, storytellers...) and their constant presence in the public and private media or even the use of the Amazigh language in the spots and messages broadcast on air and sea transport connecting Morocco with the host countries.

In short, the collective proposes the establishment of a joint monitoring commission for the various projects mentioned above, integrating Moroccan nationals from abroad and civil society agents working for the promotion of Amazigh culture.

Amazigh is not just a language, it is also the vehicle of values and cultural practices which, as a common heritage to all Moroccans, has been able to constitute a bulwark against sectarian drifts and a cement for the homeland, argues the Collective, considering useful its transmission and its management among Moroccans of the World.