Protesters in Madrid, Spain sang racist chants targeting Moroccans on Saturday at the headquarters of the Socialist Party, reported the Spanish news outlet El Diario, causing outrage among Moroccans in the Kingdom and those residing abroad.
“Moros no, España no es un zoo” (No Moors, Spain is not a zoo), said the protesters during a heated demonstration which was supposed to be against the amnesty agreed by the socialists with the Junts.
Many Spanish people resorted to racist chants such as “Spain is Christian, not Muslim”, as reported by Lavozdelsur, making a blatant display of racism and xenophobia targeting Moroccans and Muslims.
“These are acts of racism, Islamophobia, and a refusal to embrace diversity,” said Mohamed Belahmer, a historian researcher, historical consultant, and writer.
This animosity traces back to the period of Muslim rule in Spain –from 711 to 1492—when Muslims were referred to as Maures, a term derived from the Roman designation for North Africans, explained Belahmer to Hespress EN.
“This is something that Spaniards have never forgotten,” stressed the historian researcher.
It is worth noting that Moor is a derogatory term that refers to the Muslims who invaded Europe during the Middle Ages. It refers also to people who had dark skin at that time.
He noted that these protests occurred against the backdrop of a political, social, and identity revolution in Spain.
“Spanish Andalusians are increasingly exploring their potential Arab and Muslim roots, leading to a significant number converting to Islam. Some even advocate for the autonomy of Andalusia, historically known as Muslim Al-Andalus,” further explained Belahmer to Hespress EN.
He hinted at the complicity of Polisario in targeting Moroccans during the protests stating, “Polisario fears a pro-Sahara stance from Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez who is currently seeking political support to gain a majority in the Spanish Parliament.”
“There has recently been an increase in countries making derogatory remarks that completely contradict the values and principles that these developing countries uphold. It’s ironic that these Western countries claim to defend those very pillars while violating them,” said Soumaya Naamane Guessous, a Sociologist.
She told Hespress EN that a set of values has been undermined in the name of democracy and freedom of expression.
“In Spain, such derogatory terms are used against migrants, including Arabs and Africans. This displays a degrading mindset from some Western individuals who view other countries as backward and colonized,” explained Guessous to Hespress EN.
Thousands of opponents have taken to the streets for the 12th night in a row in response to the prospect of amnesty.
According to the Government Delegation in Madrid, around 1,700 people gathered in Ferraz last Saturday, as reported by Lavozdelsur.
Protests seized the opportunity to express their hatred and racism, targeting Moroccans the Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez, and even citizens of Catalonia.
The demonstration in Madrid devolved into violence, leading to clashes with the police and acts of aggression or harassment towards journalists, reported El Diario.
Hundreds of people took to the streets to protest Sanchez’s plans to grant amnesty to Catalan separatists in exchange for support for a second term in office, according to Reuters.
“The government secured a deal with Catalan separatist party Junts on Thursday which includes passing a contentious law granting amnesty to those convicted over Catalonia’s attempt to secede from Spain in 2017,” reported the same source.
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