The year is 2011, and the Muslim Arab world is undergoing one of its most significant and transformative periods in contemporary history. As elsewhere throughout North Africa and the Middle East, protests and revolts inspired Moroccans to take to the streets, giving shape to the February 20 movement: a movement of organized rallies denouncing the widespread corruption of the regime and calling for an end to high unemployment, transparency from the judiciary system, an end to censorship, upholding Islamic values, and other demands. This wasn’t the first time Moroccans have challenged their authority; we can look back at the years of lead, the Casablanca and the Rif riots. Yet, Morocco differentiated from its counterparts as the majority of protesters didn’t seek to dethrone King Mohammed VI. Still, 2011 marked a turning point: the question of the King’s place. It was no longer confined to academic and political circles; the ordinary Moroccan now publicly discussed it.
Read the full publication
