Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra recently hosted a remarkable historical exhibition presented by the Sidi Mchiche El Alami Foundation, drawing an exceptional crowd and generating deep and meaningful exchanges between visitors and Dr. Mustapha Mchiche El Alami, the Foundation’s president.
Held in the university’s central halls, the exhibition featured a wide array of artifacts : rare manuscripts, paintings, archival objects, and historical documents, painstakingly collected over decades through extensive research across Europe. The collection retraced Morocco’s centuries-long resistance to Portuguese, Spanish, and French colonialism, covering the 15th to the 20th century.
Dr. Mchiche captivated the audience with in-depth explanations of each item’s historical significance and the broader context of Morocco’s struggle to preserve its sovereignty against foreign incursions. More than a display of historical relics, the exhibition highlighted the ideological battles and power dynamics that shaped Moroccan-European relations, underscoring the need for greater public awareness and academic research on these critical eras.
The Foundation’s mission, rooted in accessible education rather than elitism, was praised for democratizing history and fostering national memory, especially among young people. By engaging with a broad audience both in-person and via social media, the Foundation created an inclusive educational space that encourages historical consciousness as a vital component of civic identity.
This initiative, widely recognized for its academic credibility and social impact, offered a timely reminder of the urgent need to invest in historical scholarship to enrich national understanding and guide the future through the lessons of the past.