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Mimouna Association

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The Mimouna Association is a Moroccan non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Moroccan Jewish heritage and culture.

History

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The Mimouna Association started in 2007 as a Muslim[1] student-run club at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane seeking to promote Jewish heritage and interfaith dialogue around the country.[2] "One of the founding principles of the Association is to reclaim the cultural diversity of Morocco through its history. In a context where intolerance and extremism are rampant, Mimouna, as a Citizen Patriot Association, would like to contribute to the preserving and strengthening of the plural Moroccan identity."

It was originally known as the Mimouna Club.[3]

In August 2012, the student club became an officially incorporated nonprofit organization with the name "Association Mimouna".

Mission

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The Mimouna Association is often cited as the leading entity in Morocco fighting antisemitism[4] and strengthening ties between Muslims and Jews.[5] Mimouna "has worked to educate young Moroccans about the Kingdom's rich Jewish history".[6]

"a coalition of Muslim students who have taken on the task of highlighting the deep Jewish roots woven into Moroccan culture."[7]

Activities

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  • 2011: Conference Mohammed V: Righteous Among Nations[8][9]
  • 2014: The Caravan of Moroccan Jewish Heritage[10][11]
  • 2016: Ramadan Food Distribution[12]
  • 2019: Jewish Africa Conference[13][14][15]

Recognition

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Thanks to his work with the Mimouna Association, founder and president, ElMehdi Boudra was listed among the "top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life" on Algemeiner ‘J100’ 2018 listing.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "Moroccan Schools Teach Jewish History in Groundbreaking First". Haaretz. 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  2. ^ "Mimouna Association - Mimouna.org". Mimouna Association.
  3. ^ "The Moroccan Model". Haaretz. 2010-05-06. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  4. ^ "How an Act of anti-Semitism in Paris Led This Young Moroccan Muslim to Fight It at Home". The Forward. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  5. ^ "Conference of Presidents honors Muslims who protected Jews during Holocaust". Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  6. ^ "Morocco's Muslim monarch is trying to preserve the country's Jewish history—before it's too late". Newsweek. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  7. ^ "Why these Muslims are fighting anti-Semitism". Christian Science Monitor. 2018-04-30. ISSN 0882-7729. Retrieved 2018-10-31.
  8. ^ Freedman, Samuel G. "Distinctive Mission for Muslims' Conference: Remembering the Holocaust". Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  9. ^ "Morocco University Holds First Holocaust Conference in Arab World". Haaretz. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  10. ^ "Muslim Moroccan Students Celebrate the Spirit of Mimouna, Too – Tablet Magazine". www.tabletmag.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  11. ^ "Moroccan Jews celebrate heritage in traveling roadshow | Jewish Telegraphic Agency". www.jta.org. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  12. ^ "Christians, Jews, Muslims Partner to Provide Food to Needy Moroccan Families During Ramadan". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
  13. ^ Dolsten, Josefin. "African Jewish communities get more recognition after years on the margins". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  14. ^ DolstenJanuary 30, Josefin; Images, 2019Getty. "Yes, There Is A Jewish Africa – And American Jews Are Finally Beginning To Notice". The Forward. Retrieved 2019-02-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  15. ^ "African Jewish communities get some mainstream recognition after years on the margins – Diaspora – Jerusalem Post". www.jpost.com. Retrieved 2019-02-03.
  16. ^ "The Top 100 People Positively Influencing Jewish Life, 2018". Algemeiner.com. Retrieved 2018-10-19.