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Rabat – The Moroccan Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdelatif Miraoui, has reappointed Mohamed Talbi as the interim dean of the Faculty of Sciences at Ben M’sik in Casablanca until his retirement on August 31, as per a circulated copy of the appointment letter.
The news comes following widespread reports indicating that the dean has resigned in the wake of the intense backlash he received for refusing to hand in a degree to a student who was wearing the Palestinian Keffiyeh, a symbol of resistance against Israeli occupation.
The incident took place at a graduation ceremony at the Higher School of Technology in Casablanca on July 13.
Miraoui distanced his ministry from the dean’s controversial decision, which his behavior as “unusual”. “This appears to be a personal opinion of the professor, and he may have erred in his actions,” the minister said.
Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, igniting further criticism. Many Moroccan netizens expressed support for the student and condemned the dean’s actions.
“Wow, this is happening in our country? In a Muslim country, He should know that the Moroccans have always defended the Palestinian case and we all stand with our brothers in Gaza,” said a social media user.
Others, however, argued that “political statements” have no place in academic settings. “Both are wrong, separate politics from such events,” another netizen said.
The Union of Higher Education and Scientific Research described the dean’s behavior as an “irresponsible act” that comes at a time when universities worldwide have been seeing widespread student support for the Palestinian people in light of the Israeli war on Gaza.
“This comes at a sensitive time when Moroccans feel pain and bitterness due to the genocidal crimes against the Palestinian people by the Zionist enemy, employing the worst forms of persecution, torture, and killing,” the union added.
