Moroccan Official’s Hand-Kiss Scandal Ignites Debate on Power Dynamics

The incident occurred in Safi (Asfi), during the inauguration of a development project. In the images, we can see a citizen approaching a prefecture official and kissing his hand. What particularly shocked internet users was the official’s reaction: he smiled and let it happen, without showing the slightest discomfort or opposition.

The handshake is a reserved gesture, in Moroccan culture, for parents, certain religious scholars and, by historical custom, the sovereign. The fact that a citizen kisses the hand of a representative of the administration is considered a behavior "foreign to Moroccan society" and "unacceptable in the new era", as it is perceived as undermining the symbols of responsibility and respect due to the civil service.