P. Casalino: Morocco's Jewish patron saints and scholars. Written by Casalino Pierluigi, Casablanca, 17th, Novembre, 2013

Moroccan Jews contituted an ancient community under the Romans and under the Muslims. Morocco has become to day a destination to which many emigrants Jews return each year to celebrate the memory of their patron saints, or organise religious ceremonies, such as the one a Azjen, in northern Morocco, or in the region of Chaouia, which forms part of the province of Settat, or in Essaouira, or in Fez (the Jewish Saint of Fez). These four examples are in fact only a tiny part of much bigger picture, because Morocco abounds in sites and symbols of the Jewish faith, holy and consacrated for Moroccan Jewish. Going back in time, it should be noted that it was the Jewish presence in Morocco which encouraged one Maimon Abou Mosheh to move from Andalusia to Fez in order to educate his son Mosheh Ben Maimon, who would go to become the great philosopher known as Maimonides - a contemporary of the thinker Ibn 'Arabi, whose influence on the practice of Jewish faith would be crucial. The prosperity enjoyed by the city of Fez during the 14th century (8th century of the Islamic Hegira) also paved the way for the arrival of Yossef Ben Kasbi, who came seeking to learn from the city's greatest Jewish theologians. A number of these immigrants acquired great renown, passing on their knowledge to waves of rabbis from diverse origins drawn by the integrity. wisdom and historical insights of eminent scholars of Fez, Meknassa Zitouna, Essaouira, Marrakech, Sefru, Debdou, Safi and Denmate. Myriad references to the works and religious and scientific careers of these distinguished scholars can be found in antologies written by Moroccan Jews. We can enumerate no fewer than 1,399 Jewish authors, some of whom liveds in Andalusia and others in Morocco, but all of whom were of Moroccan origins. The history of Moroccan Jews abounds in such religious leading lights, whose influence has spread way beyond country's borders: proof positive of the way religions and communities have happily lived by side down the ages in a country which always striven to be a place of welcome and openness.

Casalino Pierluigi, Casablanca, 17th Novembre, 2013