A Museum for the Rif - announced in Al Hoceima

HM King Mohammed VI sent an opening message to the participants in the two-day international seminar in Al Hoceima on "The Rif Cultural Heritage: What Museography?" and announced that a special museum would be constructed to preserve the heritage and history of the northern Rif region.

Driss El Yazami

The message from the King was read by the President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) Driss El Yazami.

"The project aims to showcase the heritage and history of the Rif and to seek the means to preserving the collective memory of this northern region," El Yazami said.The Museum will be designed to promote the Rif heritage and highlight its contribution to Moroccan history, added El Yazami.

Local people hope that situating the museum in El Hociema will also attract more attention to the northern Rif area and bring more visitors to the region. With spectacular scenery, mountains and beaches, the northern Rif has great potential for tourism and thus job creation for local people.

In his message HM King Mohammed VI pointed out that "...due attention should be paid to preserving the collective memory of Moroccans, as an essential step on the path to building a full-fledged democratic society. This is a far-reaching project that we are all trying to preserve and consolidate, while pressing ahead with our endeavours to reconcile Moroccans with their history, transcending the shortfalls of the past, and focusing rather on preserving the present."

No date has been announced for project's completion, but two scientific committees have been set up to move the project forward.