It's rather unusual that I have two posts in succession on Amazigh ("Berber") languages, but after my previous post on Mzab in Algeria, here's another: "Morocco Lifts the Ban on Amazigh Names."
The High Commission of the Civil Registry confirmed on Monday the
freedom of Moroccans to choose the names of their children, provided
the names do not breach morality or public order, without distinction
between Arabic, Amazigh, Hassani, or Hebrew names, and in accordance
with the provisions of the law relating to civil status.
Hasssani is a dialect of Arabic particularly associated with Mauritania an the Western Sahara.
Anir, Sifaw, Tifawt, Thiyya, and Bahac are some of the many Amazigh names that had been unauthorized in Morocco.
The
Amazigh families have been denied the right to name their children some
Amazigh names since 1996, when a circular was sent to Moroccan civil
status registry offices banning Amazigh names.
Since
then, activists have led a fierce campaign against what they call a
“racist and discriminatory law” targeting Amazighs, and Amazigh
associations have been putting pressure on Moroccan authority to
recognize Amazigh names.
Arab Spring may be withering, but the less-touted Amazigh Spring seems to be moving right along.
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