During the 19th edition of the Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques in Essaouira, André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI and a leading figure in cultural and religious dialogue, paid a vibrant tribute to Laziza Dalil, who passed away on October 11. Describing the deceased as a “companion on the road”, Mr. Azoulay underlined the richness of her personality, her unwavering passion and the many achievements that marked her life.

Laziza Dalil, involved with the Mimouna Association and in various initiatives for the preservation of Moroccan memory and cultural heritage, leaves an inspiring legacy. His dedication to promoting understanding between communities and strengthening cultural bridges has deeply touched his family and colleagues, especially within Essaouira Mogador and Bayt Dakira.

Present at the 19th edition of the Festival des Andalousies Atlantiques d’Essaouira that he initiated, Mr. André Azoulay, wanted to pay a vibrant tribute to Laziza Dalil, a young woman who died on October 11, describing with emotion her career and her impact. “We lost one of our fellow travelers a few weeks ago,” he said. For Mr. Azoulay and his colleagues, Laziza Dalil was much more than just a collaborator: she was a “light personality in all respects”.

Mr. Azoulay recalled her first meetings with Laziza at Al Akhawayn University, where she stood out for her dynamism and commitment. Co-founder of the Mimouna movement, she has played a crucial role in promoting diversity and interreligious dialogue. “Mimouna is the only organization in the Arab-Muslim world that was created for one thing that was obvious, but that no one dared to conceptualize, let alone embody: to rediscover, relive and celebrate the Jewish component of our identity,” Azoulay said.

Together, they shared memorable moments, witnesses to Laziza’s vision and strength of spirit. Like the association she helped create, she embodied an ethic, a boldness and a Moroccanness that quickly went beyond the local framework to shine internationally. Mimouna has thus become a symbol of tolerance and diversity, recognized well beyond the Moroccan borders, especially in the United States where partnerships have consolidated its presence.

Mr. Azoulay also shared a moving memory: one day, in New York, while receiving an award, Laziza and a close friend of the royal advisor, Mostafa Terrab, had made the trip to celebrate the honor. She then gave a speech in English that he had touched a lot.

« I once received an award in the United States, in New York. When she arrived to receive this award, she was in the room. She was in the room with another very close friend, who was my collaborator for a few years, who is Moustapha Kallab, the president of the OCP. And without my knowing it, the two had come to celebrate the prize that was going to be awarded. Laziza made a speech with a grace, with a force, with an English that would make Shakespeare’s best children blush, exceptional in any case. She did it as she was herself, without a single paper, with her heart, with her smile, with her charisma. There were many people; She didn’t hesitate, she went to the end. And it was beautiful.»

«She was often with us during this festival. She remains with us in our thoughts, in our hearts,” Azoulay said.

This vibrant tribute recalled how much Laziza Dalil, through her strength, charisma and love for Morocco, touched all those who had the privilege of knowing her. Through her, it is a Morocco of tolerance, memory and dialogue that is celebrated, a Morocco that Laziza Dalil has helped to embody and make known in the world.

Association Mimouna expresses its gratitude

The Mimouna Association, in recognition of this emotional tribute, expressed its deep gratitude to Mr. Azoulay and all those who, in Essaouira, contributed to honoring the memory of Laziza. This tribute testifies to the central place she occupied in the heart of this community, which continues to carry the values of sharing, tolerance and intercultural dialogue.

The Festival of Atlantic Andalusia remains a place of memory and celebration, uniting generations and cultures under the sign of coexistence.

by Nawfal Laarabi