Mohamed Birouaine: The Young Moroccan Leader Building Bridges Beyond Borders
At just 23 years old, Mohamed Birouaine is fast becoming a leading figure among Moroccan youth abroad, earning recognition for his work uniting communities and promoting civic engagement.
The young Casablanca native was recently honored with the Moroccan Global Youth Distinction Award during the fourth edition of “Morocco With Purpose,” held on July 21 at Chellah in Rabat. The award was presented by Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, in a ceremony that celebrated the power of youth leadership and the enduring link between Morocco and its diaspora.
A graduate student in Business Law at Université Toulouse Capitole and proud Amazigh, Birouaine is best known as the founder and president of the Association de la Jeunesse Marocaine à Toulouse (AJMT). This youth-led group has become a vibrant hub for Moroccan students and professionals living in France, providing a space for connection, cultural pride, and civic participation.
Turning Isolation into Opportunity
“When I first arrived in Toulouse, the Moroccan community felt dispersed and disconnected,” recalls Birouaine. “There weren’t any real places for us to gather, share ideas, or celebrate our culture. So we decided to build something ourselves.”
In June 2023, that vision came to life. AJMT was founded with the goal of uniting Moroccan youth abroad, defending national interests, and promoting Morocco’s achievements in an open and inclusive way. Since its inception, the organization has hosted a variety of events, from community iftars and friendly sports tournaments to panel discussions and national day celebrations, many held in collaboration with the Moroccan Consulate in Toulouse.
One particularly impactful initiative was the earthquake relief campaign, which mobilized donations for families affected back home. The effort reflected a deep sense of solidarity and responsibility among Moroccan youth in France.
Mobilizing for Morocco’s Unity
In April 2025, Birouaine and AJMT partnered with the Collectif des Associations Marocaines du Sud-Ouest de la France to organize the “Marche pour la Vérité” in support of Morocco’s territorial integrity.
“Through this march, we reaffirmed our unwavering attachment to the Kingdom’s unity and to the exceptional partnership between Morocco and France,” he says. “It was a defining moment of collective pride.”
Engaging Youth in Political Dialogue
AJMT’s work goes beyond community events. Under Birouaine’s leadership, the group has taken steps to build political and institutional awareness. A landmark moment came with a student delegation trip to Rabat, organized in partnership with the Parlement des Étudiants and supported by Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the visit, French students met with high-profile officials including Minister Bensaid, Constitutional Court President Mohamed Amine Benabdallah, and the Mayor of Rabat. They toured Parliament and visited cultural sites, gaining insight into Moroccan governance and identity. The delegation was also received by the Vice President of the House of Representatives and welcomed at the French Embassy in Rabat.
The success of this initiative has prompted plans for a second edition in September 2025, this time with an economic focus in Casablanca.
“Our goal is to show both Moroccan and French youth a different side of Morocco,” Birouaine explains. “We want them to see it as a country that is open, forward-looking, and full of potential.”
Expanding the Vision
Looking beyond Toulouse, Birouaine has launched a broader initiative aimed at involving young Moroccans around the world in political life. The Initiative des Jeunes Marocains du Monde pour le Dialogue et l’Ouverture sur la Vie Politique au Maroc has already held meetings with the secretary generals of major political parties, sparking important conversations between diaspora youth and national leaders.
He now plans to expand the AJMT model across France under a new national umbrella: the Association de la Jeunesse Marocaine en France (AJMF). The aim is to establish local chapters in cities such as Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Lille, creating a unified network of engaged young Moroccans with a shared sense of purpose.
A Voice for a Generation
What sets Mohamed Birouaine apart isn’t just his long list of initiatives, but the values at their core: civic responsibility, cultural pride, dialogue, and openness.
“My generation has a role to play. We are the bridge between Morocco and the world,” he says. “Through every action we take, we carry our country with us: its history, its progress, its hopes.”
In building connections, inspiring others, and staying grounded in his identity, Birouaine is helping shape the future of Morocco’s global youth.
Amine Edmar/le7tv
