Morocco Signs Convention to Research Moroccan Hebrew Law

Rabat –  Morocco has established a Chair on Hebrew Law to advance local research on Moroccan Hebrew law. The process commenced with King Mohammed VI’s Advisor and President of the Essaouira-Mogador Association Andre Azoulay welcoming Mohammed V University’s new academic Chair of Hebrew Law. 

Signed in Essaouira on March 9, the convention establishes a Chair of Hebrew Law that promotes research in Moroccan Hebrew law, values the Moroccan experience of rabbinical jurisdiction, and advances interreligious dialogue between Islam and Judaism.

“With the creation of the Chair on Hebrew Law in Morocco, Essaouira has another first to its credit, which now vividly embodies the centrality of diversity at the highest level of our university courses,” said André Azoulay.

Azoulay praised “the emblematic voluntarism of the prestigious Mohammed V University of Rabat which, in partnership with the Hebrew Law Research Center of Bayt Dakira, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Essaouira-Mogador Association, chose to carry on the baptismal fronts a Chair which will be a milestone in history.”

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The two-year binding convention was signed by President of Mohammed V University of Rabat Mohammed Rhachi, President of Morocco’s Hebrew La Research Center of Bayt Dakira Abdellah Ouzitane, and President of Essaouira-Mogador Association Tarik Ottmani.

The Chair position is set to contribute to the training of researchers in Hebrew law in Morocco and encourages the organization of, and participation in, national and international events by doctoral and post-doctoral students. The body will further support the publishing of academic work in the field through the funding of partners. 

Under the convention, the honorary chairman has to commit to peace, tolerance, and interreligious dialogue with the support of the Chair’s director that will coordinate and monitor the entity’s activities and programs. 

Representatives of Mohammed V University and the Hebrew Law Research Center of Bayt Dakira as well as experts in Hebrew law will lead the Chair’s committee that will develop and coordinate the body’s activities and programs.

The Chair of Hebrew Law reflects Morocco’s continuous efforts to preserve and promote its Hebrew socio-cultural element. Notably, the Moroccan government has launched several initiatives in this framework including the restoration of Jewish sites across the country and the introduction of Jewish history in the educational curriculum.