My Nonprofit Reviews

Enlightenment between Religions and Nationalities: In Memory of the Past
(2 November trip to Akrich; HAF event)

By: Noah C. Kohlmayer, HAF Volunteer

Akrich, an Amazigh village in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, is where the first of HAF’s interfaith tree nurseries was founded. This small village packed with culture is exactly where the “Seeds of Memory'' event was held.

The event started with the arrival of the U.S. General Consul, Mr. Lawrence M. Randolph. As soon as he exited the vehicle, he was surrounded by press and participants. Mr. Randolph was shown around the premises of the nursery and was eventually led to meet a representative of the Marrakech Jewish community.

Eventually, the crowd was ushered into a building near the edge of the premises. Inside, all of the guests, including some of the HAF staff and a few Amazigh women, lit symbolic candles that were collected on a tray. It was a moment of peace, with everyone coming together in a small, dimly lit space with people of different religions, ethnicities, mother tongues, and nationalities lighting candles that symbolized hope.

Nonetheless, this was not the only special moment of the event in Akrich. Dr. Yossef Ben-Meir led the way into the main space. Groups formed around the tables, including guests, Jewish representatives, the Muslim community, a group of Amazigh women, and HAF staff. The circular tables and the snacks and drinks they held assisted intermingling among the people present.

First, Dr. Ben-Meir made a speech in Darija. Following his lead, Muslim and the Jewish representatives individually made their speeches. Towards the end of a speech by Mr. Jacky Kadoch, he said a Jewish prayer, for which everyone stood up, truly showing respect and appreciation.

The U.S. Consul General made a speech in Arabic, which attendees listened to welcomingly, as it had an aura of connectivity between the different parties, similar to the Jewish prayer. Various people with different backgrounds came forward after his speech and shared their own stories and experiences, all of which felt close to heart and personal to each and every individual.

Closing the indoor experience was a local Amazigh woman who gave each of the guests a hand-knotted carpet with a new and enhanced business card from their carpet-making cooperative. Seeing this woman sharing the cooperative’s work, it was clear that this unique opportunity to do so was of great personal importance for her and her fellow cooperative members.

Following this heartfelt moment, the crowd once again headed outside, where the tree planting experience took place. The U.S. Consul General and other guests together planted a young fig tree, a symbolic act for a brighter, sustainable, and intertwined future amongst nature and various ethnic and religious groups in Morocco.