Mimouna Association

See also: Moroccan Jews, Al Akhawayn University, and Mohammed V of Morocco

The Mimouna Association is a Moroccan non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Moroccan Jewish heritage and culture.

History

The Mimouna Association started in 2007 as a Muslim^[1] student-run club at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane seeking to promote Jewish heritage and interfaith dialogue around the country.^[2] "One of the founding principles of the Association is to reclaim the cultural diversity of Morocco through its history. In a context where intolerance and extremism are rampant, Mimouna, as a Citizen Patriot Association, would like to contribute to the preserving and strengthening of the plural Moroccan identity."

It was originally known as the Mimouna Club.^[3]

In August 2012, the student club became an officially incorporated nonprofit organization with the name "Association Mimouna".

Mission

The Mimouna Association is often cited as the leading entity in Morocco fighting antisemitism^[4] and strengthening ties between Muslims and Jews.^[5] Mimouna "has worked to educate young Moroccans about the Kingdom's rich Jewish history".^[6]

"a coalition of Muslim students who have taken on the task of highlighting the deep Jewish roots woven into Moroccan culture."^[7]

Activities

• 2011: Conference Mohammed V: Righteous Among Nations^[8][9]
• 2014: The Caravan of Moroccan Jewish Heritage^[10][11]
• 2016: Ramadan Food Distribution^[12]
• 2019: Jewish Africa Conference^[13][14][15]

Recognition

Thanks to his work with the Mimouna Association, founder and president, ElMehdi Boudra was listed among the "top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life" on Algemeiner ‘J100’ 2018 listing.^[16]

References

1. "Moroccan Schools Teach Jewish History in Groundbreaking First". Haaretz. 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
2. "Mimouna Association - Mimouna.org". Mimouna Association.
3. "The Moroccan Model". Haaretz. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
4. "How an Act of anti-Semitism in Paris Led This Young Moroccan Muslim to Fight It at Home". The Forward. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
5. "Conference of Presidents honors Muslims who protected Jews during Holocaust". Retrieved 2018-10-19.
6. "Morocco's Muslim monarch is trying to preserve the country's Jewish history—before it's too late". Newsweek. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
7. "Why these Muslims are fighting anti-Semitism". Christian Science Monitor. 2018-04-30. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
8. Freedman, Samuel G. "Distinctive Mission for Muslims' Conference: Remembering the Holocaust". Retrieved 2018-10-19.
9. "Morocco University Holds First Holocaust Conference in Arab World". Haaretz. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
10. "Muslim Moroccan Students Celebrate the Spirit of Mimouna, Too – Tablet Magazine". www.tabletmag.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
11. "Moroccan Jews celebrate heritage in traveling roadshow | Jewish Telegraphic Agency". www.jta.org. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
12. "Christians, Jews, Muslims Partner to Provide Food to Needy Moroccan Families During Ramadan". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
13. Dolsten, Josefin. "African Jewish communities get more recognition after years on the margins". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
14. DolstenJanuary 30, Josefin; Images, 2019Getty. "Yes, There Is A Jewish Africa – And American Jews Are Finally Beginning To Notice". The Forward. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
15. "African Jewish communities get some mainstream recognition after years on the margins – Diaspora – Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
16. "The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2018". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.