فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a narrow alley deep in Fez’s ancient medina, where the scent of rosewood-infused air mingles with the clang of copper hammers, sat Abdullah, a traditional potter, staring at his aged phone. In his hands, he held a photo of the “Artisan’s Card” he’d dreamed of for years—the card that would grant him the same rights as any Moroccan employee: AMO Solidarity health coverage and social security. But the official statistics flashing on his screen shattered that dream into a nightmare.
The Dream That Became a Mirage
“They told us: Register in the National Craft Registry,” Abdullah whispered, his voice hoarse as he sifted through years of broken promises. “A minister on TV boasts: 2.7 million artisans in Morocco… that made me proud! But when I went to the chamber, I found a locked door.”
In that chamber, he expected answers. Instead, he found a crushing question: “How many have actually registered?” The answer struck like lightning: Only 421,000 registered. Meaning 2.3 million artisans like Abdullah remain invisible in official records.
Three Walls That Crushed Artisans’ Hopes
While the supervising ministry boasted about the “millions of dirhams” spent on registration campaigns, Abdullah and his peers faced a bitter reality:
The Wall of Silence:
“Even my neighbor who sells carpets never knew the registry existed! Their campaigns reached hotels and exhibitions, not our alleyways.”
The Wall of Paper:
“They demanded my birth certificate, ID, proof of residence, work declaration, a chamber document… all this for a man with a tiny workshop in a backstreet!”
The Wall of Neglect:
“I went to the chamber three times. First time: locked. Second: Bring us silk. Third: They shooed me away: Come back later.”
The Mystery of the Vanished Millions
Here, the hammering in Abdullah’s mind fell silent. Replaced by an echoing question: “Where did the millions of dirhams go?”
- The budget could have opened 100 mobile registration offices.
- The funds could have printed 2.7 million artisan cards.
- Even a fraction could have saved families from medical debt.
But the numbers tell a different story:
421,000 registered = Just 16% of the target.
Millions spent = 0% impact on artisans’ lives.
A Cry Against the System
That evening, Abdullah posted a message—not just a complaint, but an indictment:
“To officials in your lavish offices: Do you know artisans freeze to death in their workshops? Do you know the millions wasted on campaigns could have bought medicine for our sick? This isn’t journalism speaking… this is my blood talking!”
Beyond the Numbers: Forgotten Humanity
Behind every statistic in the ministry’s report lies a human story:
- Fatima (silk weaver): “My leg has ached for years, but without an Artisan’s Card, public hospitals refuse me.”
- Rachid (carpenter): “My son wants to attend school, but I couldn’t enroll him—I have no proof I’m an artisan!”
The Question That Haunts Them All
Today, Abdullah’s post has become a rallying cry for thousands: #WhereDidTheMillionsGo. Yet the larger question remains unanswered:
“Who is responsible for this failure? The ministry? The chambers? The bureaucrats? Or all of us?”
In Fez, the hammers still clang—but they no longer shape just pottery. They forge a silent revolution demanding dignity and accountability.
Source: Adapted from a post by M. Al-Aydi, a traditional Fez artisan and friend of Fez News (Master of Al-Berchman craft).
