Bridges of Friendship: My Journey Between Morocco and Spain

I’m not a trained expert on Spain, nor am I a native Spanish speaker. I come from a completely different world.

Most of my career has been rooted in the U.S., shaped by its academic culture and institutions. I publish mostly in English, and I’ve taught at American universities. I’m, in many ways, a product of the Anglo-American higher education system — but one with deep Moroccan and Arab roots.

My interest in Spain and all things Spanish came only recently. As I explored, I noticed something beautiful: a natural affinity between Moroccans and Spaniards — a mutual admiration, an ease of friendship. And yet, there are still some who try to sow mistrust and division — voices that, in my experience, come more often from the Spanish side: from the extreme right, anti-Moroccan activists, or Sahrawi militants who confuse identity politics with morophobia.

Despite this, I chose another path. I taught myself Spanish. I travelled across Spain to understand its culture, society, and economy firsthand. And, along the way, I built lasting friendships — profound, sincere, and joyful. Some of my closest friends today are Spanish. We consider each other family. We call each other brothers and sisters. 

They opened the door to Spain for me. And I did the same with Morocco for them. 

That’s what a positive neighborhood truly means: not just geographic proximity, but shared experiences, mutual curiosity, and bonds of affection that transcend narratives of division.