Maroc Diplomatique publishes retrospective on former contributors

Maroc Diplomatique has published a commemorative retrospective honoring the contributors who shaped its pages. The tribute serves as a permanent record of the thinkers, journalists, and public figures who influenced the publication’s intellectual history, documenting their passing while preserving their core arguments for future readers.

The Intellectual Legacy of Gabriel Banon and Jack Knafo

Gabriel Banon utilized his column, “Politically Incorrect,” to challenge established narratives regarding power relations, war, and powers. His writing was defined by an ironical, lucid perspective that eschewed conventional wisdom. Similarly, Jack Knafo addressed the structural challenges of the Moroccan education sector in the publication’s 13th issue. In his piece, Le chantier de la dernière chance, Knafo argued that the educational system functions as the primary engine for national development, providing a critical diagnostic of the sector based on his more than thirty years of experience.

Human Rights and the Memory of Ahmed Herzenni

The publication recognized the contributions of Ahmed Herzenni, a former prisoner who became a figure in human rights advocacy. Following his death, Maroc Diplomatique highlighted his commitment to public service and his path of reconciliation. The editorial reflection on his life emphasized that for Herzenni, the pursuit of justice remained a requirement throughout his career.

Journalistic Witnessing Through Abdellah Stouky and Patrice Barrat

Abdellah Stouky provided a significant historical account of the “Souffles” adventure, which the publication serialized in 2016. Stouky, recognized for his erudition and distinctive tone, documented a period of intense intellectual activity in Morocco, noting the evolution and eventual shift in the movement’s sensitivity. Complementing this focus on memory, Patrice Barrat’s 2017 contribution, Une vie en vaut une autre, advocated for prioritizing the human over power relations. Barrat, a journalist known for his work as a bridge between peoples, articulated a vision of global engagement that placed the individual at the center of international relations.

Jean d’Ormesson Reflects on Life as Morocco Prioritizes Digital Revolution

In August 2015, Jean d’Ormesson shared his reflections with the publication on themes of the world, literature, love, and death. Maintaining a sense of vitality at nearly 90 years old, d’Ormesson’s dialogue with the magazine explored the intersection of personal joy and a complex, often somber, world. This cultural perspective is contrasted by the technical foresight of Faouzi Lakhdar-Ghazal. Writing in 2017, Lakhdar-Ghazal identified the digital revolution as an immediate priority for Morocco. He argued that innovation, education, and training were necessary to ensure the nation remained a participant in, rather than a subject of, global technological advancement.

Generational Continuity and the Legacy of Abdelhadi Tazi

The tribute concludes by acknowledging the work of Yosr Tazi, who contributed a personal account in the publication’s third issue regarding his father, Abdelhadi Tazi, a figure of Moroccan history and diplomacy. By documenting the personal history behind the scholar, Yosr Tazi provided a record of an influential life in Moroccan diplomacy. The publication now honors Yosr Tazi’s own passing, noting the resonance of his work in preserving his father’s legacy for the historical record.

Establishing a formal, lasting record of these contributions ensures that the diagnostic work of Knafo and the advocacy of figures like Herzenni remain available to researchers and policymakers.

Je suis très gai dans un monde qui est très triste

— Jean d’Ormesson, August 2015