Assilah Forum Foundation publishes book in honour of Mohamed Benaissa

ASSILAH - The Assilah Forum Foundation has published a book entitled "Mohamed Benaissa... The Statesman and Cultural Icon / Testimonials and Memories" as part of its new publications for the 46th International Cultural Season of Assilah in its autumn session

The book includes testimonies from participants in the "Creativity Tent" symposium titled "Mohamed Benaissa... The Statesman and Cultural Icon," following a tradition established since the launch of this event within the International Cultural Season of Assilah.

This tribute celebrated a unique personality with cultural, diplomatic, and humanitarian dimensions, recalling the abundant contributions Benaissa made to his city in the fields of social, civil, and charitable work.

The book is an elegant 399-page edition, containing 78 testimonies from prominent figures in the worlds of culture, politics, media, diplomacy, and academia. These testimonies combine sincerity, loyalty, accuracy, and spontaneity, as noted by Abdel Ilah Tagnaoui, coordinator of the "Creativity Tent" events, in his introduction. He wrote that the book includes "interesting testimonies, impressions, reflections, and narratives about the life and work of a competent minister, an expert ambassador, and a brilliant intellectual."

The contributions were titled around concepts of friendship, appreciation, loyalty, and respect that linked their authors to the deceased, enumerating his contributions, stances, and the distinguishing features of his character and biography.

In his introduction, Tagnaoui emphasized that the book will remain "a mark of loyalty and love for Morocco's, the Arab world's, and humanity's late lamented, Mohamed Benaissa, the statesman and cultural icon."

Royal Condolences

In addition to its introduction, the book opens with the moving condolence message previously sent by King Mohammed VI to the family of the late Benaissa, offering condolences and solace, and praising his patriotism, cultural contributions, and his sincerity and high competence in undertaking all the governmental tasks assigned to him.

Testimonies

The book's participants include former and current ministers and ambassadors, media professionals, writers, and influential figures in fields related to economy, politics, culture, and media. Among the testimonies included in the book are:

"Mohamed Benaissa, the Tireless Servant of Culture" by former Senegalese President Macky Sall.

"Mohamed Benaissa... The Best Supporter and Excellent Companion in Defending the Causes of the Arab and Islamic Nations" by Prince Bandar bin Sultan, former Saudi Ambassador to the United States and former Secretary-General of the Saudi National Security Council.

"The Open Mind and Incisive Intellect... and the Eloquent Tongue" by former Egyptian Foreign Minister and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.

"The Pioneer and Visionary" by André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI.

"Mohamed Benaissa... An Indelible Mark in the World of Arab Culture" by Nabil Yaacoub Al-Homr, Media Advisor to the King of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

"Mohamed Benaissa... Diplomacy and Aesthetics" by Ana Palacio, former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"The Long Isthmus of Time" by Abdul Rahman Shalqam, former Libyan Foreign Minister.

"A National Stature with Global Influence and Local Roots" by Mohamed Nabil Benabdallah, former Minister, Ambassador, and Secretary-General of the Moroccan Party of Progress and Socialism.

"The Spirit of Great Men Refuses to Be Absent" by Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi.

"The Need for Mohamed Benaissa Today is Greater Than Yesterday" by Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, President of the African Institute for Strategies (Peace - Security - Governance) and former Senegalese Minister of Foreign Affairs.

"Mohamed Benaissa… A Name, an Action, and a Group of People in One Person" by Othman Al-Omeir, publisher of the London-based "Elaph" website / former editor-in-chief of "Asharq Al-Awsat" newspaper.

"A Tribute to Mohamed Benaissa, Man of State and Culture" by Victor Borges, former Foreign Minister of Cape Verde.

"In the Presence of Diplomacy, Culture, and Elegance" by Mohamed El Hassan Ould Labat, university professor and former Mauritanian Foreign Minister.

"The Statesman and Champion of Culture" by Mohamed Al-Hadi Al-Dhairi, former Libyan Foreign Minister.

"The Quintessence of Virtues in the Biography of a Master of Men" by Moroccan writer and novelist Ahmed Al-Medini.

"The Deceptively Simple" by Lebanese journalist Khairallah Khairallah.

"Mohamed Benaissa... Among the Immortals" by Khaled Al-Malik, editor-in-chief of the Saudi "Al-Jazirah" newspaper.

"Mohamed Benaissa... and Ascending to the Ranks of the Immortals" by Lebanese journalist Abdel Wahab Badrakhan.

"Mohamed Benaissa, a Bridge Between Shores" by Mauritanian writer and journalist Abdullah Ould Mohammedi.

Human, Cultural, and Political Dimensions

Under the title "In the Presence of Absence... and the Idea That Does Not Die," Hatim Betioui, Secretary-General of the Assilah Forum Foundation, wrote: "For me and my colleagues and friends in the Al-Mouhit Association, which later became the Assilah Forum Foundation, 'Si Benaissa' remained a multi-dimensional figure with numerous virtues. He was the intellectual, the politician, the diplomat, the artist, the guide, the teacher, the educator, the inspirer… and above all, the man whose unique human touch you perceived from the first moment."

Betioui added that what Benaissa achieved in Assilah over more than four decades is, ultimately, "an achievement in the service of humanity." Therefore, "the human dimension, alongside the cultural and political-diplomatic dimensions, remained a central focus in his distinguished career."

Betioui stressed that talking about Benaissa "cannot be reduced to words, nor fully rendered in lines," after he "served his city faithfully, carrying in his mind and heart many ideas and dreams he wanted to realize, but fate intervened."

Betioui said that Benaissa protected Assilah over many decades with continuous royal support and had many other ideas and dreams he wanted to accomplish, but his time ran out. However, Betioui adds, hope remains strong for achieving those dreams, for as long as there is life, there is also room for hope and much positive energy.

Farewell, My Friend

Under the title "Farewell, My Friend," Miguel Ángel Moratinos, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, and former Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, wrote a moving testimony filled with feelings of friendship and appreciation for the deceased.

Moratinos began: "Farewell, my friend... This is how you always bid me farewell, every time we met or I visited you. And today I bid you farewell again, but this time, a painful and very sad farewell. Fortunately, our long friendship, which lasted more than three decades, fills me with an abundance of memories, vivid moments, and shared experiences. All these memories are still strongly present in my life and will help me remember you with the same affection and admiration I have always held for you."

Moratinos added: "Today, we can say without hesitation: if there is a minister in Morocco's history who can be considered a Spanish-speaker and a lover of it, it is you. Your life is full of so many memories and connections with Spain, including your opportunity to continue your studies in Cairo, thanks to the intervention of a Spanish ambassador there who helped you obtain the necessary official documents for travel and residence. There are many stories, experiences, and moments that intersected with our professional and personal lives. Today is not the time to recall them all, but it is essential to highlight your valuable contribution to improving relations between Spain and Morocco. You had the honor of serving two kings in your country. You reached this position by their decision, but also thanks to your prior work, your ability to take risks and propose innovative solutions, and your constant loyalty to your leaders and your homeland. You worked to modernize Moroccan diplomacy, and your name is known and appreciated in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe."

In the conclusion of his message/testimony, Moratinos said: "You opened the doors of Africa for me, thanks to the Assilah Forum and your expertise. I met a significant number of prominent figures from sub-Saharan Africa. In your home, I found the key to resolving a painful and prolonged kidnapping case involving a number of Spanish collaborators in Mauritania. I also learned wisdom from you, benefiting from the experiences of colleagues from the Middle East and the African continent. The Assilah Forum was, for me, an unmissable appointment. I always said publicly that it was more important and inspiring than any other international forum, including Davos. Our last meeting was last October, in your forum and in your city. In your home, we held, as usual, a deep, respectful, and enriching dialogue, which ended – as always – late at night, while we savored delicious Moroccan dishes, accompanied by your dear wife Leila, and Arab intellectuals little-known in the West but brilliant and humble in their analyses of our world's situation. And as you always said to me, you told me again: 'Farewell, my friend.' I did not know it would be the last time I saw you. Rest in peace. And we will continue to strive for peace, inspired by your legacy and wisdom."