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Join on Telegram Rabat – Algeria’s regime continues its provocative cultural appropriation attempts against Morocco’s heritage and historic gems.
Algeria’s Defense Ministry published a promotional video on Sunday, presumably seeking to highlight the country’s security and assets.
One of the scenes featured in the promotional video, however, is Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, a historic site in Morocco located in Ouarzazate province.
The iconic site, visited by thousands of tourists as one of Morocco’s main tourist draws, is a collection of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls.
#وزارة_الدفاع_الوطني pic.twitter.com/K8g9gmsmi7
— وزارة الدفاع الوطني الجزائرية (@mdnGovDz) February 21, 2025
“The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is an eminent example of a ksar in southern Morocco illustrating the main types of earthen constructions that may be observed dating from the 17th century in the valleys of Dra, Todgha, Dadès and Souss,” according to UNESCO.
The historic gem has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
Algeria’s latest maneuver sparked both sarcasm and frustration from Moroccans.
While some mocked Algeria for featuring the site on its promotional video, others have called for strict measures to condemn the cultural appropriation of the historic gem.
“Could someone with a verified X account add a Community Note to this post regarding the cultural appropriation of the Moroccan Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou,” one user on X wrote.
“Shameful! They showcased the Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, located in Morocco to promote their own country! Thieves in every area,” another one said.
This is not the first time Algeria has attempted to appropriate Morocco’s cultural heritage.
In 2022, Algeria presented the zelliges as part of its cultural heritage during an exhibition.
The country also attempted to include the Moroccan caftan, a traditional garment in the North African country, in a UNESCO submission seeking to make the Moroccan garment part of the Algerian intangible heritage.
In response, Morocco’s Ministry of Culture announced the official patenting of zellige of Fez by the World Intellectual Property Organization.
“The zellige industry dates back to the tenth century AD, when it flourished during the Marinid era [in the 13th to 15th century] in the honorable Kingdom before moving to neighboring tribes during the following centuries,” Morocco’s ministry said.
Earlier this year, Minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid pledged to fully enforce the provisions of Bill No. 33.22.
The goal is to protect national heritage against any attempt at appropriation.
The minister explained that this new regulation came as Morocco made significant archaeological discoveries that placed the country on the global map for advanced archaeological and geological research.
