Seville: André Azoulay Highlights the Historical Legacy of Coexistence in Morocco and Andalusia
During an iftar held at the Hassan II Pavilion in Seville, organized in partnership with the Three Cultures Foundation, André Azoulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI, reaffirmed the importance of interreligious dialogue and respect for differences at a time marked by growing international tensions.
Speaking before guests gathered for the breaking of the fast, Azoulay recalled that Morocco and Andalusia share a unique historical legacy rooted in coexistence among cultures and religions. According to him, both regions have long represented a model of openness and exchange, where different faiths evolved on a shared foundation of respect and mutual understanding.
Addressing the issue of identity, the royal advisor drew on his own experience as a Moroccan of Jewish faith. He shared a lesson he learned in his youth, stressing that remaining faithful to one’s religion necessarily requires respecting those who do not share it. Preserving one’s identity, he said, begins with recognizing the dignity and rights of others and protecting them with the same care granted to oneself.
Azoulay also emphasized that the authentic practice of religion cannot exist without respect for the beliefs of others, ensuring that everyone enjoys the same rights to dignity, justice and consideration.
Reflecting on the international context, he described a period marked by deep divisions, rising violence, rejection of differences and a growing temptation toward exclusion. In response to these challenges, he recalled the mission of the Three Cultures Foundation, created twenty-five years ago at the initiative of King Hassan II and now supported by King Mohammed VI. The institution, he noted, plays a vigilant role in safeguarding universal values and keeping alive the culture of dialogue and peace.
In conclusion, Azoulay called for collective mobilization to defend the values of tolerance and diversity. He warned against passive attitudes in the face of current challenges, arguing that silence or indifference cannot be an acceptable response when the principles of coexistence are under threat.
Stressing that difference should be viewed as a fundamental source of richness, he urged institutions and citizens alike to transmit these values, explain them and actively defend them. According to him, promoting diversity and dialogue remains an essential necessity today for preserving balance and peace in the world.
Editorial team/le7tv
