Fez Faces Backlash Over Renaming Historic Street

Friday 14 June 2024 - 09:30

The controversial decision to rename "Youssef ben Tachfine" street in Fez has ignited widespread opposition, with many Moroccans arguing that it distorts the nation's historical and cultural identity.

Khalid Hajjoubi, President of the Marinids District Council in Fez, finds himself at the center of the storm after reports surfaced of his decision to rename the street after his father, Ahmed Hajjoubi Al-Yaacoubi.

The local branch of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) has been vociferous in its condemnation, declaring that the move not only breaches legal standards but also "falsifies history and undermines the symbols of the nation by replacing them with unknown names that have no significance."

The PJD's local branch has called for immediate intervention from administrative authorities to halt what they describe as a "farce that represents a dangerous precedent in undermining the historical and cultural symbolism of Fez." They insist that the District Council should prioritize serving the public interest over personal or partisan agendas.

In the midst of this uproar, various reports have indicated that the renaming proposal did not originate from the Fez Municipal Council but from the Regional Delegation of Resistance and Liberation Army Members in Fez. According to sources within the council, the new name, Ahmed Hajjoubi Al-Yaacoubi, while not widely recognized, is registered with the High Commission of Resistance Members as a freedom fighter.

Detractors argue that replacing the name of Youssef ben Tachfine, founder of the Almoravid dynasty and a pivotal figure in Moroccan history, with that of an obscure figure amounts to an attack on national symbols and cultural heritage.

Further reports suggest that Khalid Hajjoubi did not attend the council session during which the renaming was approved by an overwhelming majority, hinting at a possible attempt to deflect scrutiny. There is also speculation that Khadija Hajjoubi, a parliamentarian from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM) and the district president’s sister, may have influenced the proposal.

In response to the controversy, the Amazigh organization Akraw has criticized the renaming as provocative and unacceptable, asserting that it does not reflect PAM’s principles or values. Akraw emphasized that the decision was a personal one and not representative of the party, which they argue is committed to preserving Moroccan identity and heritage. They have urged the implicated parliamentarian to rectify the mistake and issue a formal apology to the Moroccan public.

Youssef ben Tachfine, also known as Yusuf ibn Tashfin, was a monumental historical figure and the founder of the Almoravid dynasty in North Africa and Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain and Portugal). Born around 1009 and passing in 1106, this Amazigh from the Sahara played a crucial role in expanding the Almoravid state and spreading Islam across the Maghreb and the Iberian Peninsula.

As the debate rages on, the decision to rename "Youssef ben Tachfine" street continues to stir emotions, reflecting deep-seated concerns over the preservation of Morocco's rich historical and cultural legacy.