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Meknes – The city of Rotterdam’s Dutch-Moroccan mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb has been awarded the 2021 World Mayor Prize for his “courage and patience” in running his city, as well as his commitment to fostering a climate of harmonious diversity in a city he has been running for over a decade.
The World Mayor award is given every two years by the City Mayor Foundation, a London-based think tank dedicated to local governance. According to the foundation, “Aboutaleb treats all citizens as ‘Rotterdammers’, regardless of their origin or background.”
In response to the award, Aboutaleb said: “I am speechless. It is an honor that the people of Rotterdam nominated me for this. I therefore feel very appreciated by the inhabitants of this beautiful city. A city where so many different people live together. I have the most beautiful job you can imagine.”
Rotterdam residents are said to describe Aboutaleb as “burgervader,” meaning the father of citizens. The Dutch-Moroccan politician has been mayor since 2009, and he has served his city “with courage, patience, and humility,” according to the City Mayor Foundation.
Although different nationalities live in his city, Aboutaleb is known for his insistence on making every resident feel at home, regardless of their ehtnic or religious background. Aboutaleb treats citizens of Rotterdam as if they were members of his family – and he was their father, the London-based think tank suggested.
“In a city of 175 different nationalities it is important that people get to know each other, get to meet,” Aboutaleb said. “Meeting helps us to learn to understand each other better, and benefits peace and social cohesion in the city. That’s why I’ve defined ‘meeting’ as one of my three priorities for my third term as mayor.”
As an immigrant himself, Aboutaleb has said that “all migrants have to work harder to build a life and prove themselves.”
He added, however, that the “lack of a network” makes it hard for a migrant to fully adapt even when they are sometimes willing to put in the efforts and passion that is required of them.
