Morocco: Outrage as University Dean Refuses to Award Diploma to Student Wearing Palestinian Keffiyeh

✏️ By: Dr. Hana Saada

Algiers, Algeria | July 15th, 2024 —  The National Union of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Morocco has vehemently condemned the actions of the Dean of Ben M’Sik Faculty of Sciences in Casablanca, who refused to award a diploma to an outstanding student from the Higher School of Technology due to her wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh. The union labeled the dean’s behavior as “irresponsible and reckless,” asserting that it starkly contrasts with the prevailing sentiments of the Moroccan public.

In a statement, the local branch office of the union at the Higher School of Technology expressed its dismay: “At a time when universities worldwide are witnessing significant movements supporting the Palestinian struggle and calling for an end to the massacres in Gaza, aligned with the intellectual and academic environment that fosters human rationality, the Higher School of Technology at Hassan II University witnessed a bizarre event during the awards ceremony for top students.”

The statement elaborated that during the ceremony held on Saturday evening, the Dean of Ben M’Sik Faculty of Sciences, who attended as an honorary guest, approached to present a diploma to a high-achieving student. Upon noticing her wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh, he refused to present the award, accusing the student of engaging in politics. This act sparked outrage within the audience, leading to the dean’s withdrawal from the event.

The union described the dean’s actions as “irresponsible” within an academic setting where freedom of expression should prevail. They highlighted the deep discontent this incident has caused among researchers, staff, students, and their families, especially amid a sensitive period where Moroccans are acutely aware of the suffering of the Palestinian people due to genocide, torture, and killings.

The union asserted that the dean’s behavior represents a suppression of free expression, expressing solidarity with the student and emphasizing that wearing the keffiyeh is a testament to her success, awareness, and vigilance.

This incident is not the first scandal to rock Moroccan universities, which have been criticized for their ties with Zionist institutions. Recent graduation ceremonies have exposed the duplicity of the Moroccan regime’s stance on the Palestinian issue.

In a related incident, the Faculty of Letters at Mohammed V University in Rabat recently prohibited students from the Arabic Language Department from organizing a graduation ceremony on university premises due to their solidarity with Palestine. This occurred amidst an unprecedented genocidal war waged by the Zionist occupation forces against the Palestinian people.

Students and graduates who initiated the “Students and Graduates of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Against Academic Normalization” campaign stated in their declaration that “the university abruptly canceled the graduation ceremony, which was scheduled as an opportunity for students to express their solidarity with Palestine.”

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