Moroccan Influencer Faces Algerian Boycott, Gains Support Amid Recipe Controversy

It all started with Fatine El Bouni, better known to her Instagram followers as Fatine, announcing the Salon Expo she organized on March 2 and 3, 2024 in Paris. This was enough for a group of Algerians to launch the hashtag #stopappropriationsherazade to call for a boycott of the event. They accused El Bouni of having stolen traditional recipes from the Algerian chef Sherazade and presenting them as Moroccan. On the web, many Moroccan internet users denounced the false accusations of cultural appropriation. They also shared videos of the Algerian chef Sherazade to explain how she discovered these recipes during a trip to Morocco.

"Sherazade, before losing her memory, used to come to Morocco and learn to steal (recipes), now details of Moroccan cuisine are making their way to Algeria," wrote an internet user in a message on X, followed by a video of the Algerian chef sharing her trip through Morocco and learning local recipes during her visits to cities like Casablanca and Marrakech. "Hats off to Fatine for orchestrating a fantastic event showcasing the beauty of Moroccan culture at the heart of Paris🇲🇦 Her unwavering patriotism is truly inspiring. [...] Let’s continue to embrace and share our cultural wealth," comments another internet user on X. In addition to the positive reactions on social media, many Moroccans in Paris rushed to the compatriot’s Salon-Expo to show their support.

Touched by this avalanche of support, El Bouni testified in a video to her gratitude to the Moroccan community in Paris. "Thank you to the Moroccans of Paris. [...] Saying thank you is too little for you, the line (for the event) is at least a kilometer long."