The normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel in exchange for the American recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara makes Amazigh activists happy. They support this historic rapprochement but do not receive the support of the Israeli authorities in return.
The deputy of the Agir ensemble group, M’jid El Guerrab delivered a speech in Berber before his parliamentary colleagues. The Franco-Moroccan parliamentarian paid tribute to the Moroccan singer Mohamed Rouicha, quoting some of his lyrics.
Noureddine Ayouch, who sparked a heated controversy nearly two years ago when he called for making Darija the language of instruction, is back on the offensive. The advertising professional and community activist calls for working on "establishing a bridge between classical Arabic and Darija", by integrating words from the first language into the second, so that everyone can speak them easily.
Ahmed Boukous, rector of the Royal Institute of the Amazigh Culture (IRCAM), calls for the recognition of the Amazigh New Year and its officialization as an annual national holiday in Morocco.
The Salafist sheikh Hassan Kettani is the source of a new controversy following a rather strange statement on the celebration of the Amazigh New Year.
The institutions and agencies of the "Bank Of Africa" of the BMCE Group, which belongs to the famous Moroccan businessman Othmane Benjelloun , adopt Amazigh language signage, in addition to Arabic and French. This initiative will be extended to all the group’s branches.
Amazigh activists and politicians insist on the recognition of the Amazigh New Year, "Id Yennayer", as a national holiday, like January 1st or the 1st of Muharram. Correspondence has been addressed to the Head of Government, Saâdeddine El Othmani and to Parliament.
Like Arabic, the Amazigh language will soon be recognized as a working language within the House of Councillors in Morocco.
To make the Amazigh New Year (Yennayer) a paid public holiday is the wish of the Amazighs. The collective of defenders of this culture has seized the head of government, Saad Eddine El Othmani, as well as the parliamentarians for this purpose.
The film "Should the Beasts Die" by Moroccan director Sophia Alaoui has just been selected to compete for the 2021 Oscar for Best Short Film. The year 2020 has been exceptional for this film, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2020 Sundance Festival, and was nominated in the Best Short Film category at the 2021 Césars.
Amazigh activists believe that the normalization of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel is a "historic victory".
The Moroccan Imazighen are in a constant struggle for greater identity and cultural recognition.