The Kingdom of Morocco is the result of centuries of mixing cultures. In this way, it is not so different from the city of Rotterdam itself, a city in which Moroccans are quite numerous.
With about 46,000 people, your Moroccan neighbours make up about 7% of the population, making them the third-largest minority group in the city. Many Moroccans came to Rotterdam in the 1960s and 1970s looking for work. Many continue to come to the city today, looking for other opportunities for themselves. During this time, Moroccans founded families and raised children with a mix of Moroccan and Dutch culture. The closeness of the two cultures is easy to see in our city, especially with Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, who grew up in Morocco's Nador province.
A majority of Moroccans are followers of Sunni Islam, with an overwhelming 99% of people in the country identifying themselves as such. 94% of Moroccans living in the Netherlands call themselves Muslim, 78% follow the Islamic prayer schedule and 37% attend mosques weekly. Although the percentage of Moroccan Muslims is smaller in the Netherlands than in Morocco itself, the difference is not that large, showing how important Islam is to Moroccans.
Moroccans are often of Arab or Berber descent, with both languages (Arabic and the Tamazight languages) being spoken throughout the country. The kingdom has an extensive cultural history that continues to this day. Moroccan architecture is a good example, with influences from the Roman Empire, the Islamic world and colonial France (to name a few), with Islamic influences being the most predominant. Tea, of course, is a very popular and important drink for Moroccans. This green tea, or "atay" (introduced by the British in the 18th and 19th centuries), is infused with mint and sugar and is a hallmark of Moroccan culture and hospitality.
The culture of Morocco would not exist without outside influences. And just as the culture of their country of origin was shaped, so too the Moroccans of Rotterdam today are shaped by the melting pot that is our city.
Prayer points
- Pray against discrimination against Moroccans in Rotterdam and the Netherlands
- That Moroccans will have a safe and productive life in Rotterdam
- For the different generations of Moroccans, young and old, living in the city
- Help in difficult family situations for Moroccans who have become Christians
- For more workers among Moroccans in Rotterdam
- For work among Moroccans at Source of Life, Gave Foundation, and more