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Denver- The director general of the Organization of the Islamic World for Education, Sciences and Culture (ISESCO), Salem Ben Mohamed El Malek, was present to receive the keys to the Kasbah des Oudayas in a monumental ceremony honoring Morocco’s contribution to Islamic culture and history.
In an interview with local media, El Malek praised King Mohammed VI in the ceremony, thanking him for continued efforts to protect the cultural monuments within Morocco. The director general also highlighted the cultural importance of the Kasbah des Oudayas. The Kasbah, which was built over the course of several hundred years, is one of the most iconic neighborhoods in Rabat, and a world famous landmark. In addition to being recognized by ISESCO, the neighborhood was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012, and ISESCO placed the area on the Islamic World Heritage List in 2019.
The Kasbah des Oudayas has also been featured as a setting for several blockbuster films. Most recently, the neighborhood was used as a film location for the Mission Impossible films in 2014. The area was included as part of an intense motorcycle scene, with American actor Tom Cruise making an appearance in the historic neighborhood.
Besides the neighborhood’s aesthetic value, the Kasbah des Oudayas also represents an important part of early Moroccan history. The neighborhood, which was initially constructed in the 10th century and expanded over the course of several centuries, is a monument of the multitudes of dynasties that have controlled the vital area for hundreds of years.
During Wednesday’s ceremony, El Malek specifically thanked Princess Lalla Hasnaa, who chairs the Foundation for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of Rabat. The organization is responsible for maintaining several important historical sites in the capital, including the Kasbah.
Other important representatives present at the meeting included Abderrahmane Badraoui, president of the Espace des Oudayas organization, and Abdelati Lahlou, archaeologist and head of the International Council of Monuments’ Morocco division.
