Bilateral relations between nations are often motivated by ideological, political, geographical, or military factors, wherein countries collaborate to further their shared goals. However, the dynamic between Morocco and the USA deviates from this conventional norm. Their bond is rooted not only in strategic considerations but also in a deep-seated core of friendship and mutual respect.
Morocco is geographically the closest country to the United States in both the Middle East and the North African region. In December 1777, Morocco, under Sultan Mohammed III, became the first nation to acknowledge the United States’ independence. It is noteworthy that in December 2020, the American President reaffirmed Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces and expressed support for Morocco’s proposed autonomy plan, citing it as the only practical solution to resolve the ongoing dispute.
Located abroad is a USA National Historic Landmark found in Morocco, it is noteworthy that it is also the first USA government site overseas to be listed as endangered by the National Trust. The USA delegation is based in the northern Moroccan city of Tangier, a city that has long been a draw for Americans, including renowned writers of the Beat Generation and the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate, Bob Dylan.
In Morocco, particularly in Tangier, various Americans from different professions have historically found a cultural haven – writers, artists, intellectuals, philanthropists, journalists, and businesspeople alike. One notable example is media magnate Malcolm Forbes, who celebrated his 70th birthday in his Tangier palace by inviting distinguished guests. Many of these visitors chose to prolong their stay, immersing themselves in the unique atmosphere of this city situated in the Arab world, where Amazigh is spoken in its three principal dialects. In this cosmopolitan setting, places of worship such as mosques, churches, and synagogues coexist, providing a striking backdrop to the view of the Spanish city of Tarifa across the Strait of Gibraltar in the Mediterranean Sea.
Morocco’s geographical position, situated at the crossroads of Arab, Berber, African, and European cultures, and its historical allegiance to the liberal bloc during the Cold War era, have created a distinct cultural identity. This unique heritage allows Morocco to seamlessly integrate foreign residents and tourists with locals in cities such as Marrakech, Essaouira, Tangier, Casablanca, and Rabat. Hotels, apartments, and traditional riads cater to both residents and visitors, blurring the lines between traditional and tourist spaces. This unprecedented harmony fosters a genuine exchange of ideas and a sense of national pride in Morocco’s rich heritage.
Over the past hundred years, many Americans have chosen to settle in Morocco, drawn by its geographic uniqueness, cultural richness, and warm reception for both locals and outsiders during periods of global turmoil, such as the two World Wars and the Cold War. Morocco has indeed become an exemplary model of peaceful coexistence, showcasing how foreigners can blend harmoniously into local life. Several notable individuals serve as examples of this integration, including Greek-American Ion Perdicars, a leading figure in Tangier’s public health commission, and Barbara Woolworth Hutton, an heiress who lived in the Kasbah, Tangier’s old quarter, and adapted effortlessly to local customs. Known in the American press as the “wealthiest unhappy girl,” Hutton found happiness in Morocco.
Over the years, I have delved into the reasons behind Americans’ fascination with Morocco, and I have notably ruled out a primary connection related to economic interests. Investigating further, I found that the impact of Moroccan culture, particularly in the realm of cinema, has left a lasting impression on Americans. The well-known American film Casablanca, for instance, takes its name from Morocco’s largest city, underscoring the country’s influence on the big screen. I have also examined the work of prominent American writers, such as Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Paul Bowles, Bob Dylan, and several others, who spent considerable time in Morocco, which has undoubtedly contributed to the nation’s allure. Even Shakespeare, while not directly associated with Morocco, serves as an example of how Western perception and appreciation for the culture have long existed, albeit through indirect channels or interpretations.
The American’s influence can be seen in his writing about American literature, as evident in his reference to Morocco in The Merchant of Venice.
The close bond between Morocco and the United States goes beyond economic influence, and is rooted in the rich cultural, historical, and personal connections between the two nations. It is deserving of prominent inclusion in educational curricula on both sides, as a shining example of successful collaboration between two societies separated by the Atlantic, yet united in mutual respect and admiration.
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