Raja Makawi, embajadora de Marruecos en El Vaticano
Raja Makawi's relatives claim that the word failure does not enter the ambassador's vocabulary. Her love of knowledge is the path to ambition. As a result, she became the first woman to obtain a state doctorate in private law in 1997.
She possesses a unique personality and great knowledge in psychological, social, academic and professional fields. Three years ago, she enthusiastically presented herself as ambassador of Mohamed VI, King of Morocco, to the Vatican. Makawi advocates care for non-Muslim churches and religious shrines and epitomises respect for all religions.
His speech is full of tolerant messages and advocates for harmony between different religious beliefs. The establishment of institutions for intercultural dialogue under the protection of the monarch is a sign that the African country has always taken care to protect Moroccan Jewish and Christian migrants.
Makawi's work is characterised by the dissemination of visions and values acquired throughout his life and professional career. These have enabled him to bring Moroccan thinking to the West, especially in the capital of Christianity. His pioneering role has surprised the world and he is considered a helping hand in times of adversity.
Pope Francis, after his visit to Morocco in 2019, decided to grant the Archbishop of Rabat the rank of cardinal. This position is the highest in the hierarchy of the Holy See. There are hardly any Christian citizens in the Islamic states, so the Pope's decision was seen as a show of appreciation and respect for Mohammed VI.
During the Hassani Ramadan Lessons in 2003, a historic event took place as it was the first time a woman received a religious lesson before Mohammed VI. That woman was Raja Makawi. Morocco demonstrated the importance of women within the territory.
Al-Arab, an Arab media agency, considers that this female presence serves as "an epistemological, legal and guiding message in the approach to religious texts and jurisprudential issues as an attempt to understand and clarify them from other angles and disciplines".
The ambassador, as a member of the Supreme Scientific Council, argues that the tendency towards extremism is something exceptional that does not arise within the framework of the Kingdom. Many young people are not aware of legal norms and moral values and are therefore contaminated by unreliable information.
There is an urgent need to educate these generations in the values of tolerance, respect and acceptance of others. "The response of the legislator in the Constitution was forceful, counteracting the tendencies to question the values of coexistence [...] and the relentless pursuit of fanaticism and extremism".
In gratitude for her track record, Makawi is one of a group of pioneering women scientists who take up the task of overcoming social and religious imbalances. Her focus is primarily on family issues and the rights of marginalised women and children.
The field of medicine is another of the diplomat's many concerns. Together with several medical teams, she fought for Morocco, Africa and the Arab world in general to have a health law unit. Works such as "Marginalised children: their problems and rights", reflect some of her aspirations, concerns and interests.
The secret of her success lies in her strong personality and good academic, professional and personal management. Newsweek magazine chose her as one of the most influential women to serve on the Independent Permanent Commission on Human Rights of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
At 63, she is the mother of four children, all of whom work in the medical and administrative sectors. She is rarely overwhelmed by a situation beyond her control. The Moroccan representative sees bilateral relations as equal partnerships in which all parties seek peace.