The Documentary Podcast Living side by side: Morocco’s Jews and Muslims
Jan 9, 2026
Guest
Abdu el-Kakaobi
Guest
Zohor Rehihil / Maxim Karouchi (Primary guests represented)
Guest
Issam (Issam/Aysam)
Issam, raised in a mixed Muslim-Jewish family in Rabat, shares his journey exploring his Jewish identity. Zohor Rehihil, a Muslim curator, discusses the importance of preserving Jewish heritage in Morocco through education and cultural artifacts. Maxim Karouchi, a Jewish Moroccan singer, emphasizes music's power to unite diverse communities. Abdu el-Kakaobi provides historical insights on Jewish-Muslim coexistence and the significance of shared traditions like Mimuna. The conversation highlights the harmony found in Morocco amidst regional tensions.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Personal Journey To Jewish Practice
- Issam describes discovering his Jewish identity in childhood and gradually adopting Jewish practices like wearing a kippah and attending synagogue.
- His choice strained relations with his father's Muslim family and led to limited contact with them.
Deep Historical Roots And Modern Exodus
- Morocco's Jewish presence dates back to Roman times and expanded after the 1492 expulsions from Spain and Portugal.
- Major 20th-century events and regional wars accelerated a large Jewish exodus to Israel, shrinking the community.
Education As Preservation
- The Jewish Museum in Casablanca preserves shared heritage and is supported by the Moroccan government.
- Zohor Rehihil believes educating Moroccans about Jewish history fosters tolerance and counters extremism.