On January 16, 2020, the Essaouira Mogador Association hosted a banquet for King Mohammed VI, on behalf of the coastal city’s Moroccan Jewish population. Although the majority of Morocco’s Jewish community has relocated abroad or resides in Casablanca, the town is home to the Simon Attias Synagogue and Chaim Pinto Synagogue.
For his visit, King Mohammed VI made sure to stop first at the 19th century Essaouira Judeo heritage landmark, now known as the Bayt Dakira or The House of Memory. The King was given a personal tour of the former synagogue by André Azoulay, President of the Association Essaouira-Mogador, and shown how it has transformed since it’s 2017 renovation. The three-floor building, complete with a large terrace and patio was re-named to “Bat Al Dakira” and aims to create a platform for inter-dialogue between Jews, Muslims, and international research centers and universities. The is dedicated to Haïm Zafrani, a highly esteemed Souiri historian and academic professor.
According to Azoulay, the House of Memory is the “Moroccan compass, with values that the world needs today.”
Since 1992, the Association Essaouira-Mogador has worked to develop cultural diversity and preserve Jewish heritage. André Azoulay serves a senior adviser to King Mohammed VI of Morocco and previously counseled his father King Hassan II (1991 to 1999). Mr. Azoulay was born in 1941 to a Jewish Moroccan family, educated in Paris, and established a career with the Paribas Bank in Paris (1968 to 1990). He served as Executive Vice-President of the Middle East and North Africa Regions and headed the Public Affairs department. He has contributed to the Kingdom by providing advice in matters of privatization, deregulation programs, and encouraging international investment in Morocco.