On October 3, 2019, the US Embassy of Rabat, in collaboration with Morocco’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, organized a Regional Conference on Protecting Cultural Heritage of Religious Communities. The conference was a first-time event and highlighted the kingdom’s continued efforts to follow in the footsteps of the late King Mohammed V. It spoke to the importance of creating communities rich in religious and cultural pluralism. On the October occasion, her excellency Mrs. Mounia Boss, Secretary of State & Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that “Morocco has an ancient habit of protecting its cultural and religious heritage: His Majesty (King Mohammed VI) made great efforts to renew mosques, rehabilitate tombs, Jewish temples, and open museums.” The Conference acknowledged the importance of protecting and preserving the cultural heritage of different groups. It cited that these efforts serve as a powerful tool to promote peace, solidarity and social stability.
Sam Brownback, the US ambassador for International Religious Freedom also spoke at the event to commend Morocco. He referenced how the late King Mohammed V refused to give up Moroccan Jews to the Nazis. He stated that in Morocco, “there are no Jewish citizens, there are no Muslim citizens, there are only Moroccans.”
The conference was a follow-up to the 2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom gathering. The event created the Potomac Declaration and Plan of Action, aimed at promoting religious freedom. It also brought together over 80 countries and 400 members of civil society and religious communities. Morocco has always aimed to be a country that shows respect and tolerance for people’s differences.