From Morocco’s Rif to mayor of Arnhem: Ahmed Marcouch to receive Dutch award
Born in a village in the Rif and arriving in the Netherlands at the age of ten unable to read or write, Ahmed Marcouch will be honored in Arnhem on Friday, October 16. The Moroccan-born mayor is one of eight recipients of a new award recognizing their contributions to Dutch society.
Ahmed Marcouch will receive another distinction in the Netherlands. The mayor of Arnhem, who hails from Beni Boughafer in Nador province, is among eight individuals and organizations selected for the first edition of the Octoproof Awards. The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 16, at the headquarters of the province of Gelderland. Organizers are recognizing his commitment to social cohesion, security and the defense of the rule of law.
The award was established by the Dutch foundation HOPE XXL, which aims to honor those who help improve quality of life and relations between citizens. According to Events.nl, which announced the distinction on Wednesday, October 14, Ahmed Marcouch will share the spotlight with several well-known figures in the Netherlands, including comedian André van Duin, writer Tommy Wieringa and presenter Jochem van Gelder.
The award’s name refers to HOPE XXL’s ambition to build a society in which everyone could give their own life a score of at least 8 out of 10. The organization aims in particular to reward initiatives that bring residents closer together and strengthen their participation in community life.
From a village in Nador to Arnhem’s city hall
The recognition marks another milestone in Ahmed Marcouch’s career. Born in Morocco in 1969, he joined his father in the Netherlands in 1979, at the age of ten, without having attended a conventional school. He learned to read and write in Dutch before continuing his education and beginning his professional career.
After several years with the Amsterdam police, he entered public life. He became head of the Slotervaart district, then a Labour Party member of the Dutch parliament from 2010 to 2017. That same year, he was appointed mayor of Arnhem, a city in the east of the Netherlands. His journey took him from the area around Nador to one of the country’s most important municipal offices.
On Bladi.net : Morocco Water Crisis Ruins MRE Summer Vacations
The mayor has never severed his ties with his home region. This summer, Ahmed Marcouch spoke out against water cuts in Nador, which particularly affected Moroccan families visiting the region for their holidays. He sent a letter to the company responsible for distribution, demanding an explanation.
The award will be presented to him on Friday evening, following a gathering of young people, public officials and associations to discuss democracy, peace and human dignity. During the day, Ahmed Marcouch will also receive proposals drawn up by participants to improve society, as part of the “De Kracht van de Acht” program.
