Khaoula Kanjaoui, a 30-year-old lawyer running in the upcoming Maranello local elections, has become the target of racist and sexist insults on social media.
Kanjaoui, who arrived in Italy with her family from Morocco at the age of two, is running on the “Italy of the Future” civic list in support of incumbent Mayor Luigi Zironi in the elections of 8 and 9 June.
Kanjaoui’s critics have focused on her foreign name and her specialization in immigration law, bombarding her with hateful messages.
Social media comments ranged from racist slurs like “We’re not in Africa, maybe you’ll find some votes there” to accusations of being an Islamist “taly of the future in the hands of the Islamists” and an “illegal immigrant collector, he was exactly what was missing.”
These messages were often accompanied by demands for her to “go back to her country.”
Kanjaoui has lived in Italy for the vast majority of her life, having obtained family reunification with her parents at the age of two. Both her younger brothers were born in Italy. She feels deeply hurt by the “ignorance and hatred” displayed online.
“I studied law in Modena and practiced law here, moving from Sassuolo, where I grew up. The ignorance and hatred of some concentrated in a simple post on social media hurt,” she said.
Kanjaoui’s story has garnered support from the Democratic Party. Roberto Solomita and Luigi Tosiani, secretaries of the Modena and regional branches, respectively, described her case as a “textbook story of integration.” They praised her decision to serve the Maranello community with her legal expertise and civic spirit.
Solomita and Tosiani condemned the online attacks, highlighting how such prejudice thrives on anonymity and targets anyone who doesn’t fit a narrow mold.
They expressed their solidarity with Kanjaoui and the “Italy of the Future” list. They also applauded her dedication to the community and called her an “example of active citizenship and participation.”
Kanjaoui’s case serves as a stark reminder of the racism and prejudice that still exist in some parts of Italy. It is yet to be seen whether the online attacks will deter her campaign, but she has received strong backing from the Democratic Party and her supporters.
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