فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Rabat: Moroccan artist Rachid El Ouali did not hesitate to express his strong disapproval of the recent controversial statements made by Abdelilah Benkirane, the Secretary-General of the Justice and Development Party (PJD) and former Head of Government, during his participation in a rally on Labor Day last Thursday.
El Ouali chose his official Instagram account to respond to Benkirane, who had described individuals expressing the slogan “Taza before Gaza” as “microbes” and “donkeys.”
El Ouali commented sharply, saying, “Shame on you, Mr. Benkirane. I am not a politician, nor do I belong to any party, but I am a Moroccan citizen, I love my country, I am proud of its causes, and I believe that freedom of expression is a right, and respecting the opinions of others is a duty.”
He added, expressing his regret, “I felt sadness while listening to the words of Mr. Abdelilah Benkirane, who described some Moroccans as ‘microbes’ and ‘donkeys’ simply because they expressed their opinion that the national cause comes first, without denying their solidarity with the Palestinian cause, a cause they have never stopped supporting, and which is represented by their King in sending aid, opening hospitals, etc.”
Addressing Benkirane directly, El Ouali continued, “Mr. Benkirane, with all due respect, even a father in our time no longer treats his son in this way. So how can a politician address an entire people with such language? How can a former head of government allow himself to sink to this level of discourse? Even in case of disagreement, even if you disagree with their assessment, even if you believe you are right… there are always words that preserve dignity and maintain the human meaning of language.”
The Moroccan artist emphasized the need for restraint in political discourse, stating, “Political discourse should be based on restraint, not on impulsiveness. On wisdom, not on insults. And if age or pressure causes you to lose patience in front of a microphone, perhaps it is time to make way for a new generation, for a new discourse, more respectful, more conscious, and more mature.”
El Ouali acknowledged the positive phases in Benkirane’s political career but warned against the impact of such statements, saying, “No one denies that you have had appreciated milestones for a segment of Moroccans, but they will not remain in memory if this type of statement overshadows them. History does not forgive, and Moroccans do not erase humiliation.”
In his powerful concluding message, El Ouali stressed the importance of language that unites and cooperates: “Dear Sir, we live in a time where we need language that unites, not divides. Words that build, not destroy. Leaders who listen more than they speak. And if you believe that politics no longer suits you today, then withdraw in silence, and let people remember you fondly, not with hurt.”
El Ouali concluded his message by quoting a Moroccan proverb: “This is the message of a Moroccan artist who believes that kind words are what immortalize a man in people’s hearts. As Moroccans say: ‘The mouth that knows how to play the flute also knows how to offer dates.'”
The post by artist Rachid El Ouali garnered widespread reaction on social media platforms, with many Moroccans expressing their support for his stance and their criticism of Benkirane’s statements.
