A tribute was paid to the women of the first generation of Moroccan emigration in view of their essential role in educating and mentoring generations of Moroccan immigrants who were able to succeed in their host country and win the challenge of integration
A warm atmosphere in which the CCME offered to the eleven celebrated mothers a journey to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at the expense of the council, something which has greatly moved them.
They have, therefore, demonstrated their pride of belonging to Morocco and gratitude to see their efforts rewarded in this way.
This evening of tribute was duly led by Nidal Ibourk who delivered a remarkable performance of Moroccan songs to an audience made of people from the ranks of the Moroccan community living abroad, politicians and academics, lawyers and civil society, all under the clichés and cameras of the many media present
Below is a brief presentation to discover the journey of these honored mothers.
Latifa Benziatn / France
When she emigrated in 1977 with her husband working in the railway sector in France, her age did not exceed seventeen, Latifa was able to adapt to her new life and integrate into French society.
She raised her own children in the Moroccan culture while being open to the values of the French republic. After the tragedy that struck her family following the murder of her son Imad, she works in her own nonprofit association alongside marginalized youth in France.
Fouzia Berrada / Ivory Coast
After her marriage, Fouzia left Morocco in 1978 to Côte d’Ivoire to engage in the trading business before settling in and having four children of her own, three of whom were born in Abidjan, all raised in the Moroccan tradition.
Despite the challenges of immigration in a foreign country, Fouzia has successfully integrated and adapted to the Ivorian society given the respect and affection that Ivorians have for Morocco and its citizens.
Amina Lachiri / Belgium
Amina Lachiri is part of the first generation of Moroccan immigration in Belgium, she joined her husband since the sixties to start her journey as a mom and wife. While her husband refused to work, Amina decided to get it done her way in order to support her family of 8 children and 15 grandchildren.
Life in the Belgian society has not been easy and the integration was difficult in the sixties where alienation was even deeper in the absence of Arab and Muslim communities in Belgium, having said that ,Amina can’t imagine at all leaving her family and life there.
Batoul Jermon / United Arab Emirates
Despite the fact that she migrated later in her life; her willingness to support her parents is what prompted Batoul Jermon to go to the United Arab Emirates seven years ago.
In only few months, she has made a name for herself in a big hotel in Dubai, which owes part of its fame to the delicacies of Mrs. Batoul, a true cordon bleu, proud ambassador of Moroccan cuisine.
Safia Oulad Moumen / Spain
Like many Moroccan women, migration for Safia Oulad Moumen happened in the context of family reunification. In Spain, Safia has a family of five children; three were born in Tangier and the rest in Madrid.
Ever since, she wanted her children to have a good education and made sure they learned Arabic and Moroccan culture
She worked for many years with public associations to promote Moroccan culture in Spain.
Mira Alorad / Canada
Migration of Moroccan women isn’t limited to Europe, it also includes migration to distant countries like Canada where Mira Alorad is currently living.
The reunification process was instigated by her son who had emigrated to Canada before, his parents and the rest of his brothers and sisters, join him.
Mother of two daughters and three sons and grandmother of fifteen grandchildren, Mira Alorad has devoted her life to the education of generations of immigrants.
Fatima Doukkali / England
Like most Moroccan women who have emigrated in the sixties, the migration of Fatima Doukkali happened in 1977 in the framework of family reunification.
Fatima Doukkali initially thought she would stay in England for a fixed period but she later had a family there of five children and she’s working for their success. Fatima is not thinking of returning because the future of her children is in England.
Fatima Taoui / Netherlands
In 1977, she emigrated to the Netherlands in the context of family reunification, mother of five sons she raised the challenge to teach her kids the principles of Moroccan culture and the Arabic language, and boasts that all of her children speak and write in Arabic.
Atwani Zahra / Netherlands
In 1980, she left her job in Morocco to join her husband in the Netherlands as part of family reunification. She does not regret that choice when looking at her four sons and seven grandchildren be what they are today.
Haunted by the need to educate children, she continues the work she begun in Morocco, which makes her a bridge between the city of Rotterdam and the region of Oujda where she does not stop organizing School convoys for the benefit of young Moroccans. She has particular feelings for her country as she participated in the Green March
Latifa Alhemyani / Italy
Latifa El Hamyani couldn’t have imagined that a short trip to Italy will become a stay of more than 25 years. Mother of a daughter, she owns a restaurant in central Rome which offers to her guests typical dishes of her beloved country: Morocco.
Jahar Kabira / USA
When she left behind a successful career in the Moroccan radio and television, she only thought of one thing: her children.
Kabira Jahar has, therefore, immigrated to join her children in the United States because they were studying over there.
Despite the difficulty of working in an environment known for its intense competition, Kabira does not regret her choice and was able to adapt to American life and society.
Photos: Mounir El Mimouni (CasaCity)
