The Asilah International Cultural Moussem pays tribute to Mohammed Benaïssa
Emotion, recognition, appreciation, admiration, affection, and sorrow were evident in the speeches given by all those who participated in the tribute paid in Asilah to Mohammed Benaissa as a political, intellectual, artistic, and social figure and a Moroccan personality who, over the last four decades, faced all kinds of challenges and made many of his dreams come true.
Political, diplomatic, media, cultural, and artistic figures from Morocco and many other countries gathered for a three-day tribute event to remember the experiences, events, analyses, thoughts, dreams, frustrations, and realities of a man who marked an era and was able to launch numerous initiatives that now place Morocco at the forefront of the political, diplomatic, social, cultural, and artistic spheres.
This tribute is part of the 46th edition of the Assilah International Cultural Moussem, organized under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI at the initiative of the Assilah Forum Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication (Department of Culture) and the Assilah Municipal Council.
Under the slogan “Asilah: Land of Encounters and Dialogue,” the Asilah International Cultural Festival began on Friday, September 26, with a rich program that runs until Sunday, October 12, and includes artistic activities, conferences, colloquiums, painting workshops, theater for children, and exhibitions.
Over the decades, the Moussem Cultural International de Asilah has established itself as a leading national and international forum that represents Morocco as a point of convergence where different cultures intersect and meet, as well as a model of synergy between the Amazigh, Phoenician, Roman, African, Eastern, Mediterranean, and European civilizations.
Since 1978, the Moussem of Asilah has been distinguished by a multidimensional vision that encompasses thought, arts, and cultures, bringing together intellectuals, artists, writers, and journalists every year, making it an important cultural and artistic event in the African and Arab world.
The 2025 edition has been dedicated to honoring and recognizing the crucial role played by the founder and Secretary General of the Asilah Forum Foundation, Mohamed Benaïssa, in the development not only of the festival but also of the city of Asilah.
Tribute to Mohamed Benaïssa
Mohammed Benaïssa, statesman and cultural icon, was the founder and secretary general of the Asilah Forum Foundation, former Minister of Culture, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
Over the past forty-five years, Mohamed Benaïssa has made the Asilah International Cultural Moussem a shining beacon of thought and creativity that welcomes the most diverse voices, convictions, and intellectual and creative sensibilities, and where freedom of expression reigns, guaranteed within the limits imposed solely by ethics and the rules of responsible dialogue.
Throughout his brilliant political career as a member of parliament, president of the Municipal Council of Asilah, Minister of Culture, Moroccan ambassador to Washington, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, until his return as a member of parliament, Mohamed Benaïssa spared no effort in inviting emblematic figures of culture from East and West.
Benaïssa was one of the pioneers of North-South dialogue, committed to coexistence between cultures, civilizations, and beliefs, and known for his rejection of hate speech and all manifestations of sectarian and ethnic bigotry, dogmatism, or religious and ideological extremism.
Benaïssa in the creativity tent
Mohammed Benaïssa was a true intellectual who combined deep faith and a rational spirit in his personality. The creativity tent (Khaimatu Al ibdae) at this year's festival is therefore the perfect opportunity to trace his journey and reflect on his experiences in all the fields he had tackled, as a creator of ideas, initiator of projects, and bearer of innovative visions in various sectors.
Following the festival tradition created by Mohammed Benaïssa himself, who erected numerous tents to pay tribute and honor the contributions of outstanding creators and thinkers from the Arab and African world, the 46th edition now dedicates these tents to paying tribute to its founder.
This edition celebrates the exceptional personality of the late Mohammed Benaïssa, in his cultural, diplomatic, and human dimensions, and recalls with great gratitude and recognition his generous contributions to the social, civic, and philanthropic life of his city.
In this regard, the Moussem of Asilah has chosen to collect testimonies from the Moroccan, Arab, African, and European elites who accompanied Mohamed Benaïssa and witnessed his numerous contributions in different sectors.
In addition to honoring and remembering the achievements of this prominent Moroccan public figure, the current edition of the Asilah festival continues to pursue its objectives of:
- Improving the living conditions and environment of the city's inhabitants, while contributing to strengthening the dynamics of economic, tourist, and social development.
- Investing in human capital through a development-oriented cultural project focused on young people, with the aim of strengthening their skills, raising their awareness, and cultivating their artistic sensibility.
- Establishing a platform for dialogue between cultures and the intellectual elites of the world, ensuring that Morocco remains a cultural and creative hub of reference that extends beyond its borders.
- Make Asilah a living model of thoughtful, structured, and meaningful cultural action.