Moroccan Woman’s Military Service Bid Sparks Controversy and Debate

She is 22 years old, she works at the Marrakech University Hospital, and she volunteered for military service just after the census operation launched on April 9 by the Ministry of the Interior. It should be noted that military service is not compulsory for unmarried women, and this says a lot.

Hassnaâ states bluntly to Telquel: "Joining the army has been my dream since the age of twelve. I have participated in competitions in the past, but my file has never been selected. As soon as I saw the announcement (of the census for military service, editor’s note), I understood that it was an opportunity that had to be seized. Military service will allow me to give something to my country and it makes me proud."

For the young woman, this military service would have unsuspected aims of international politics, when she declares: "It is an opportunity given to us by the king to show other countries that the Moroccan woman is capable of evolving in the military field among others."

And here she is volunteering, an action that was widely publicized, and here she is therefore representing the image of the Moroccan woman who is doing her military service and whose future evolution (which will undoubtedly also be widely publicized) will probably attract more people, improve the image of the Royal Armed Forces, and so on. As usual.

This decision by Hassnaâ would also have been the source of many criticisms: "I was heavily criticized on Facebook and YouTube. Some accuse me of seeking only notoriety, but these people do not know that it is my childhood dream. It is a personal choice and these criticisms do not affect me." And her family was there for her, encouraging her in her approach: "Fortunately, my family supports me 100%. As soon as they became aware of the announcement, they told me ’go ahead, apply and live your dream’. I have no obstacle to realize it."

Moreover, Hassnaâ plans to give up everything if she is accepted: "Today, I am responsible at the call center of the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech where I live with my family. I am also a make-up artist, but it’s just a hobby. I plan to quit my job if I am selected for military service."