Morocco condemns Algeria's attempt at cultural appropriation

The Algerian Ministry of Defence has been criticised for its involvement in an attempt to appropriate Moroccan cultural heritage for propaganda purposes. A promotional video posted on the X platform, which sought to highlight tourist areas in Algeria, has sparked a wave of outrage as it contained images of the Ait Ben Haddou Palace, an iconic Moroccan monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

This act has been interpreted by many Moroccans as yet another attempt by Algeria to appropriate their cultural heritage, in a series of previous controversies over the cultural identity of the region. In response, Moroccan activists have launched social media campaigns denouncing the misappropriation of Morocco's historical and cultural elements. According to many users, this practice is part of a broader strategy by Algeria to manipulate Moroccan cultural identity and present it as its own. 

The Ait Ben Haddou Palace, located in the Ouarzazate region, is a living testimony to traditional Moroccan architecture in semi-desert areas. Its clay structure and characteristic design have attracted the attention of tourists and filmmakers from all over the world, serving as the setting for iconic films such as ‘Gladiator’ and the series ‘Game of Thrones’. Its global relevance makes it an unmistakable cultural symbol that is difficult to disassociate from its Moroccan origins. 

This incident follows other previous attempts by Algeria to appropriate elements of Moroccan heritage. It has been reported that the Algerian Ministry of Culture intends to present the Moroccan ‘Zellige’ tile to UNESCO as part of its own cultural legacy. Similarly, the use of zellige patterns on the shirts of the Algerian national team, produced by Adidas, generated strong controversy. Added to this is the controversy surrounding couscous, which was finally recognised in 2020 as part of the cultural heritage of the Maghreb, in an effort to share its identity throughout the region.  

These events reflect the growing tension between Morocco and Algeria, where cultural and heritage disputes have become key points of friction. In response, Moroccan activists have urged the international community and heritage preservation organisations to intervene and curb these attempts at historical falsification. They have also called on the Moroccan government to take urgent measures to protect its heritage from any attempts at misappropriation. 

In this context, the Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, has emphasised the importance of strengthening the legislative framework for the protection of Moroccan cultural heritage. During the presentation of bill no. 33.22, he emphasised the need to modernise current regulations to address the growing threats of cultural usurpation. This effort seeks to reinforce Morocco's cultural sovereignty and guarantee the conservation of its rich historical heritage for future generations. 

The debate over cultural appropriation between Morocco and Algeria continues to escalate, revealing not only political differences, but also a struggle for the preservation of each nation's identity and legacy. In the face of these challenges, Morocco is stepping up its efforts to protect its heritage and confront attempts at historical manipulation by third parties.