Morocco Opens New Consulate General in Miami

Doha – Morocco inaugurated a new consulate general in Miami on Monday, establishing a diplomatic presence to serve Moroccan communities across nearly 20 southern US states. The ceremony took place in the presence of American officials, local elected representatives, and members of the Moroccan community.
The consular structure aligns with King Mohammed VI's directives to meet the expectations of Moroccans living abroad (MREs) through proximity and efficiency.
Morocco's Ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, addressed the inauguration ceremony. He stated that opening this consulate demonstrates 'the Kingdom's deep attachment to its community established abroad, and a clear will to accompany them with proximity, efficiency and dignity.'
Amrani noted the Miami consulate fits fully within the King's vision for profound reform of public policies toward Moroccans worldwide. Under this approach, he said, the country 'strengthens, maintains and energizes unbreakable links between Moroccans of the world and their motherland.'
The ambassador described the structure as serving multiple functions. It will act as 'an administrative relay, a place of listening, and a strong symbol of the link' between Morocco and its citizens. He called it 'an act of confidence toward a remarkable community, an act of faith in a shared future, and renewed proof of the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to their side.'
Morocco's Consul General in Miami, Chafika El Habti, outlined the consulate's modern approach designed with a future-oriented modernization logic. The consular services focus primarily on digitalization and electronic administration.
'This is real added value, because the consular district extends from Florida to California, covering about twenty American states,' she explained. She stressed digitalization's importance for Moroccans residing across these states.
The consul general described Miami's selection as a 'real breakthrough' for the North African country, citing the economic dynamism and cultural openness of this American metropolis. Miami serves as a 'hub for South America and Latin America,' facilitating cooperation between both sides of the Atlantic.
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez also participated in the inauguration, describing the consulate as a bridge connecting Africa, North America, and Latin America – three continents offering enormous economic opportunities.
Suarez observed existing direct flights between Miami and Casablanca and a large Moroccan community in the city. He considered it 'completely natural that, if the northeast United States is covered by a consulate in New York, the south should be covered by Miami.'
The mayor commended the local Moroccan community as 'very proud of these origins while being attached to Miami and seeing many synergies' between their country of origin and their city of residence. He stated confidence their enthusiasm would foster further progress serving both countries.
Hollywood, Florida Mayor Josh Levy celebrated the large Moroccan community in his neighboring city, praising their engagement and entrepreneurial spirit. Levy expressed confidence that the consulate would help develop relationships by multiplying investments and visits.
Boynton Beach Mayor Rebecca Shelton viewed the opening as reflecting Morocco's policy of openness. She noted Miami's concentration of American financial sector activity 'clearly opens the way to greater commercial cooperation.'
Former Broward County Mayor Dale Holness noted the relevance of opening the consulate 'in a region considered the beating heart of Florida's economy, with 22 million inhabitants.' He pointed to Miami's superior port and airport infrastructure, earning it the nickname 'capital of the Americas.'
Moroccans residing in Miami expressed satisfaction about the consulate opening in their region. The area counts thousands of citizens who remain attached to their motherland. They particularly appreciated the digitalization of consular services.
The Miami consulate joins existing Moroccan diplomatic missions, including the embassy in Washington and consulates in New York and Los Angeles. Tags: Moroccan consulateMoroccans in The USMorocco US Relations

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Morocco World

28 minutes ago

• Morocco World

France's Gender Equality Minister Visits Morocco to Help Boost Women's Empowerment

Rabat – France's Minister for Gender Equality and the Fight Against Discrimination, Aurore Bergé, will visit Morocco from June 23-25. The trip aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation on feminist diplomacy, human rights, and social issues, building on the strategic dialogue launched after President Emmanuel Macron's state visit in October of 2024. Central to the visit is the goal of promoting economic empowerment for women. In Rabat, Bergé is scheduled to meet with Naïma Ben Yahia, Morocco's Minister of Solidarity, Social Inclusion, and Family, to discuss joint initiatives aimed at preventing violence against women. A joint declaration of intent is planned to outline the shared objective of integrating women's rights into public policy. In Nouaceur – a province near Casablanca known for its industrial zones and home to the Mohammed V International Airport – the minister will visit the Safran Nacelles industrial site along with the Institute of Aeronautics Trades to examine the role of women in the Moroccan industrial sector, focusing on vocational training and professional integration programs. Bergé will also meet with Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, Amina Bouayach, President of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), and Ahmed Abbadi, Secretary General of the Rabita of the Ulemas – Muslim scholars – to discuss gender-related issues across governmental and institutional levels. The visit will include a review of field projects supported by the French Development Agency, such as the 'Ajyal Égalité' program, which provides support for women affected by violence. The trip may also facilitate Morocco's participation in the international conference on feminist diplomacy scheduled in Paris in October 2025. In Marrakech, Minister Bergé will visit social institutions including the Lalla Amina Center for children deprived of family care and facilities focused on women's economic empowerment. The visit aims to promote coordination among institutional, economic, and associative actors related to social inclusion and gender equality. The visit comes as Morocco ranks 137th out of 148 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2025 Global Gender Gap Report—second in the Maghreb and tenth in the Arab world. Despite slight gains in education and political representation, Morocco remains near the bottom globally in economic participation and health. By contrast, ​​France ranks 35th and holds fourth place among G7 nations. The visit's focus on feminist diplomacy and women's empowerment reflects an official effort to advance gender equality on an international level. However, some of Bergé's previous statements expose deeper tensions within white Western feminism—where orientalist biases and selective political narratives can undermine solidarity and inclusivity. Following the murder of a Muslim man at the Khadija mosque in La Grand-Combe, southern France, Minister Aurore Bergé sparked controversy by dismissing the use of the term 'islamophobia' to describe the attack. 'I understand those who might spontaneously use it, because they see it as a way (…) to express support and empathy. But I believe it is not an appropriate term,' Bergé said. 'I also discussed this with the Prime Minister. Sometimes, we must allow for nuance. This nuance is crucial to me because I know those pushing to impose this term today do so with questionable intentions,' she added. Simultaneously, Bergé demanded a firm break from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI) over allegations of antisemitism. Yet, these accusations are less about hostility toward Jewish people and more about LFI's outspoken condemnation of the Israeli state and its ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza—a pressing feminist issue and a litmus test of genuine political and social commitment to justice.

Morocco World

an hour ago

• Morocco World

India's Modi to Visit Morocco in July, Meeting with King Mohammed VI Planned

Marrakech – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Morocco in early July as part of a five-nation diplomatic tour. The visit to Rabat will mark the first stop in Modi's extensive journey spanning Africa, Latin America, and West Asia. According to Economic Times, the visit to Morocco has been in preparation for several years but was repeatedly postponed due to scheduling conflicts. Modi is expected to meet with King Mohammed VI during his stay in Rabat. Morocco holds strategic importance for New Delhi as an emerging security and economic partner in North Africa. The Indian newspaper describes Morocco as 'one of the key Arab states with a growing economy, and strong outreach in West Africa and southern Europe.' Other Indian media outlets went further, referring to the North African country as a 'strategic partner' with rising regional influence. In a May interview with Morocco World News (MWN), a senior diplomat from the Indian embassy in Rabat characterized the relationship as 'built on trust, shared ambitions, and a long-standing sense of mutual respect.' The diplomat stressed that 'India and Morocco share a time-tested and resilient partnership built on deep mutual respect, strategic convergence, and shared quest for the well-being and prosperity of our citizens.' The diplomatic tour comes shortly after Modi's recent re-election as India's prime minister. The visit aims to strengthen India's leadership position within the Global South and build a broader anti-terror coalition following the Pahalgam attack in India. The talks between Modi and the Moroccan monarch are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in several key sectors. Priority areas include energy, cybersecurity, smart agriculture, and African logistics chains. This planned meeting shows India's intention to broaden its influence beyond Asia, with Morocco positioned as a first-tier partner for the coming years. In late 2024, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a subsidiary of India's Tata Group, established a robust foothold in Morocco through a landmark defense production agreement. The partnership centers on locally manufacturing Wheeled Armoured Combat Vehicles (WhAP 8×8) and developing a regional hub for defense mobility equipment, exemplifying the growing South-South cooperation that both countries aim to advance in the defense sector. After Morocco, Modi will continue his tour with visits to Argentina, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jordan. His stop in Brazil on July 6-7 will coincide with the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where he may meet with several global leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping. The BRICS Summit will address six priority areas under Brazil's chairmanship: reform of global governance, climate change, climate financing, global health, artificial intelligence, and economy and finance. Brazilian Ambassador to India Kenneth F. Haczynski da Nóbrega noted that the summit would produce a joint statement and specific declarations on climate change financing and artificial intelligence governance. The timing of Modi's visit comes just days after King Mohammed VI extended condolences to India following the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12. In his message to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, the Moroccan sovereign expressed 'deep affliction' over the disaster that claimed at least 270 lives, offering 'sincere condolences and feelings of solidarity and compassion' to the president, the bereaved families, and the 'friendly Indian people.' Tags: King Mohammed VImorocco indiaNarendra Modi

Morocco World

6 hours ago

• Morocco World

Morocco Opens New Consulate in Mantes-la-Jolie, France

Rabat – Morocco opened a new Consulate General on Friday in Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Paris region. The new office brings the total number of Moroccan consulates in France to 17, making it the largest Moroccan consular network abroad. The consulate aims to bring services closer to Moroccan citizens living in France and improve efficiency. The move is part of a broader strategy by Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to better serve the needs of Moroccan communities abroad. The new consulate will serve nearly 156,000 Moroccans living in the departments of Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure. Many officials attended the opening ceremony, including Samira Sitail, Morocco's Ambassador to France, Fouad Kadmiri, Director of Consular and Social Affairs at the Foreign Ministry, and Mustapha El Bouazzaoui, the new Consul General in Mantes-la-Jolie. French officials were also present at the event, including Frederic Rose, the Prefect of Yvelines, Pierre Bedier, President of the Yvelines Departmental Council, and Raphael Cognet, Mayor of Mantes-la-Jolie. Several local mayors, elected officials, and many Moroccan citizens also attended the event. A sign of closer ties Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Samira Sitail said the new consulate is 'a source of pride' for Moroccans living in the region and shows the country's commitment to staying connected with its citizens abroad. She also thanked the French authorities for their support in making the project a reality. French officials welcomed the opening of the consulate, saying it will strengthen local cooperation and support the close relationship between France and Morocco. Prefect Frederic Rose noted that Moroccans are the second largest foreign community in Yvelines, with about 30,000 residents. He said having a nearby consulate would help improve communication and cooperation with Morocco. Fouad Kadmiri described the new consulate as part of King Mohammed VI's ongoing support for Moroccans living abroad. He said this new office reflects the King's care for the Moroccan diaspora and is an example of bringing public services closer to citizens. Consul General Mustapha El Bouazzaoui said the consulate will be open and fully operational starting Monday, and has already received 780 appointment requests through a special application. The opening of the consulate also comes at a time when Morocco and France are experiencing stronger diplomatic relations. Ties between the two countries have improved in the last year, especially after France officially endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara. The move was seen as a strong gesture of support for Morocco's position and helped relaunch political dialogue and cooperation between the two longtime partners. Tags: consulateFranceMorocco