فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Fez – The city of Fez witnessed a large protest on Saturday, December 5, 2025, inside the Caftan Hotel in Bab Laalou, where dozens of traditional artisans gathered to express their discontent with judicial rulings issued by the city’s courts evicting them as “occupiers,” based on a lawsuit filed by Fouad Serghini, CEO of the Fez Development and Rehabilitation Agency. This protest comes in the context of an escalating dispute over exploitation rights to historic buildings considered part of a royal project aimed at supporting traditional crafts, amid accusations of ignoring previous commitments and favoring commercial interests over artisans.
Background of the Dispute: From Official Welcome to Occupation Accusations
The protesting artisans, most of whom work under the supervision of the head of an association managing the hotel, expressed their profound bewilderment at suddenly being transformed into “occupiers,” despite having been officially received in the past. According to participants’ accounts, they were brought by the well-known association president in Fez and were welcomed by the agency director with sweets and beverages in the presence of prominent figures such as the former Chamber president, former Wali Said Zniber, and Mrs. Nadia Fettah Alaoui, then Minister of Traditional Crafts. This was part of the opening of the space under a royal project in partnership with the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which aims to restore and revitalize the old city and support artisans.
Unfair Distribution of Support from the National Initiative for Human Development
Protesters raised the issue of unfair distribution of support from the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH). While the association president received an advanced laser machine for display and restoration, the other artisans were limited to plastic and wooden shelves mounted on walls. The artisans see this discrimination as reflecting inequity in resource distribution, threatening the continuity of their work in traditional caftan-making, which is considered an essential part of Moroccan heritage and faces intense international competition.
Protesters’ Demands and Implications of Judicial Decisions
Protesters demanded the cancellation of judicial rulings and reconsideration of their legal status, warning that eviction would lead to loss of their livelihoods and a negative impact on the old city’s economy. They emphasized that the building, classified as a heritage site, was designated to support them, and that classifying them as occupiers contradicts previous official commitments. In a related context, this protest comes after a series of similar complaints against the agency, which faces accusations of transforming the royal project into a tool for commercial interests instead of supporting artisans.
It should be noted that the city of Fez, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, relies heavily on traditional crafts such as caftan-making and zellige, which employ thousands of people. Protesters hope for intervention by responsible authorities to find a solution that preserves both heritage and jobs. For more details on traditional artisan protests in Fez, follow our ongoing coverage.
