Moroccan historian Bahija Simou honored with Italian Order of Merit for cultural contributions
The director of the Royal Archives of Morocco, Bahija Simou, has been awarded the insignia of Commander of the Order of Merit of Italy for her contribution to the promotion of heritage and the Moroccan-Italian cultural dialogue. These insignia were presented to her by the Italian ambassador to Morocco, Armando Barucco, on behalf of the President of the Republic, during the celebration of his country's national day.
According to Armando Barucco, this high distinction, of which only ten are awarded each year, pays tribute to «a remarkable and exceptional contribution to the enhancement of Moroccan historical heritage, as well as the significant development of scientific and cultural exchanges between Morocco and Italy».
An internationally recognized historian, Bahija Simou has distinguished herself through her rigorous work on the political and diplomatic relations between Morocco and Italy, illustrated by numerous reference publications.
She is also a member of the Strategic Council of the Italian Leonardo MedOr Foundation and plays a central role in Euro-Mediterranean academic meetings, actively working to preserve collective memory.
On this occasion, Bahija Simou expressed her deep gratitude to the Italian authorities, praising «the honor and strong symbolism» of this distinction. She emphasized that her research on Italy highlights «the geopolitical importance of Morocco and Italy in the Euro-Mediterranean space».
She also recalled the historical depth of bilateral relations, which date back to the 12th century. After Italian unification, Morocco adopted a friendly stance towards Italy, which became, after independence, one of the kingdom's first economic partners. Italy was also the first European country visited by Mohammed V.
Bahija Simou was keen to remind that this distinction «not only crowns a personal journey but also consecrates a commitment to a living, inclusive history that refuses to forget and values memories long kept in the shadows».
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
6 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
France : New Moroccan consulate opens in Mantes-la-Jolie
A new Moroccan Consulate General was officially inaugurated on Friday in Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Paris region, further strengthening Morocco's consular network in France, which now includes 17 consulates. This opening is part of a broader strategy focused on proximity, modernization, and efficiency to better serve Moroccan nationals abroad. The new consulate is the result of an initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, aimed at addressing the needs of a large and active diaspora deeply connected to their country of origin. The inauguration ceremony—covering three departments in the Île-de-France region: Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure, home to nearly 156,000 Moroccans—was attended by Ambassador Samira Sitail; Fouad Kadmiri, Director of Consular and Social Affairs at the Ministry; and Mustapha El Bouazzaoui, Consul General of Morocco in Mantes-la-Jolie. French officials were also present, including the Prefect of Yvelines, Frédéric Rose; President of the Yvelines Departmental Council, Pierre Bédier; and the Mayor of Mantes-la-Jolie, Raphaël Cognet, along with numerous local elected officials, institutional representatives, and members of the Moroccan community from the covered departments. In her speech, Ambassador Sitail welcomed the opening, calling it a «source of pride and connection with Morocco» for the Moroccan communities in the three departments. She also praised the support of «our French friends» and their role in bringing the project to fruition. Fouad Kadmiri noted that the inauguration coincides with the launch of the Marhaba operation, as many Moroccans prepare to return home for the summer holidays, adding that the new consulate «comes at an opportune time to help the entire consular network rise to the occasion». For his part, Consul General Mustapha El Bouazzaoui said the consulate—which brings the total number of Moroccan consulates in Île-de-France to six—will be operational starting Monday. He noted it responds to a long-standing demand from Moroccans in Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure, with over 780 appointment requests already registered through the dedicated application.
Ya Biladi
6 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and CEMAC sign cooperation pact to boost economic ties and regional integration
A cooperation agreement was signed on Friday in Laayoune between the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM) and the business associations of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) countries. This took place on the sidelines of the Parliamentary Forum on economic cooperation between Morocco and the regional bloc's Parliament. Signed by CGEM President Chakib Alj and representatives of the CEMAC business associations, the agreement establishes a Morocco-CEMAC Task Force as a joint platform for dialogue, coordination, and economic cooperation. Its mission is to structure collaboration, encourage information exchange, share best practices and business opportunities, support joint projects between companies from both regions, and serve as a proactive interface between Moroccan and CEMAC business communities. The agreement also creates a Steering Committee, co-chaired by a CGEM representative and one from each CEMAC business association. This committee will set up sectoral working groups, bringing together business leaders, experts, and institutional partners around priority themes. The parties commit to cooperating on identifying high-potential sectors of complementarity such as agro-industry, infrastructure, renewable energy, manufacturing industries, and digital services. They also pledged to facilitate business partnerships through matchmaking programs and B2B meetings, organize regular economic forums, and promote cross-investment, regional integration, and support for technology and skills transfer via training, expertise exchange, and industrial co-development projects. In a statement to MAP during the ceremony, Chakib Alj highlighted the complementarities between Morocco's and CEMAC economies, emphasizing the agreement to identify practical actions to boost economic ties. «Our goal is to create momentum between Moroccan companies and their CEMAC counterparts, fostering synergy and knowledge exchange», said the CGEM president. Similarly, Jean Daniel Ovaga, Chairman of the Congolese National Union of Economic Operators (UNOC), stressed that the agreement enables the private sector—a key driver of economic growth and value creation—to fully contribute to identifying priority cooperation sectors benefiting Morocco and CEMAC populations. «This is a strong commitment to move forward together, rebuild Africa, and bring growth and expertise to local communities», he stated. The Parliamentary Forum on economic cooperation between Morocco and the CEMAC Parliament aims to promote joint development projects and contribute to Africa's economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
Ya Biladi
16 hours ago
- Ya Biladi
France : New Moroccan consulate opens in Mantes-la-Jolie
A new Moroccan Consulate General was officially inaugurated on Friday in Mantes-la-Jolie, in the Paris region, further strengthening Morocco's consular network in France, which now includes 17 consulates. This opening is part of a broader strategy focused on proximity, modernization, and efficiency to better serve Moroccan nationals abroad. The new consulate is the result of an initiative by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, aimed at addressing the needs of a large and active diaspora deeply connected to their country of origin. The inauguration ceremony—covering three departments in the Île-de-France region: Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure, home to nearly 156,000 Moroccans—was attended by Ambassador Samira Sitail; Fouad Kadmiri, Director of Consular and Social Affairs at the Ministry; and Mustapha El Bouazzaoui, Consul General of Morocco in Mantes-la-Jolie. French officials were also present, including the Prefect of Yvelines, Frédéric Rose; President of the Yvelines Departmental Council, Pierre Bédier; and the Mayor of Mantes-la-Jolie, Raphaël Cognet, along with numerous local elected officials, institutional representatives, and members of the Moroccan community from the covered departments. In her speech, Ambassador Sitail welcomed the opening, calling it a «source of pride and connection with Morocco» for the Moroccan communities in the three departments. She also praised the support of «our French friends» and their role in bringing the project to fruition. Fouad Kadmiri noted that the inauguration coincides with the launch of the Marhaba operation, as many Moroccans prepare to return home for the summer holidays, adding that the new consulate «comes at an opportune time to help the entire consular network rise to the occasion». For his part, Consul General Mustapha El Bouazzaoui said the consulate—which brings the total number of Moroccan consulates in Île-de-France to six—will be operational starting Monday. He noted it responds to a long-standing demand from Moroccans in Yvelines, Seine-Maritime, and Eure, with over 780 appointment requests already registered through the dedicated application.
