[symple_box]
International columnist, political analyst and senior journalist Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui’s articles are published across Asia, Africa and Europe. He writes for The Moroccan Times, The Tunis Times, India Tomorrow, Kohram News, The Etemaad Urdu Daily and for news papers published from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. You can follow him on Twitter at: @journopolana[/symple_box]
The much disgraced film actor Loubna Abidar is in the news again and for all the wrong reasons. Loubna’s despised role in the third grade film ‘Much Loved’ denigrated the Moroccan culture and presented Morocco as a safe haven of sex. The lecherous portrayal of prostitution in parts of Morocco was blown out of proportion to sell the film because as it is said –‘sex sells!’ Some people got very agitated about the role played by Loubna in the film as it connected prostitution to the Moroccan women. In fact, they were waiting to get even with her. The attack on Loubna is unfortunate and goes against the principles of tolerance. The attack cannot be justified as violence cannot be endorsed. Having said this, it is disgusting to note the way Loubna reacted after the attack.
Loubna wanted H. M King Mohammed VI or Benkirane or the top heads to receive her within 48 hours failing which she will apply for asylum in France –her favourite country. The ultimatum, which she has retracted, shows her cerebral imbalance. Where does her loyalty stand? The King and other authorities have better and more important things to do than receive a character like Loubna. The not-so-loved actor of ‘Much Loved’ Loubna was naturally rattled by the physical attack. Does it mean that she can blackmail Morocco if she is not urgently attended to? Loubna’s accusations that the police and doctors failed to come to her rescue and provide her treatment has already been rubbished by the authorities. If that has really happened, it could be investigated but in a proper way as the authorities deem fit.
The threat to relocate to France points out, where Loubna’s heart, love and loyalty lie? Has not Loubna seen how women are treated in the western world? No doubt feminists within and outside Morocco will be waiting to take up cudgels and come out with protests. Dialogue is the way out to solve issues and not confrontation. Patriotism is too precious for it to be traded with threats of leaving the country.
A positive contribution could be made to the Moroccan society if there is a sense of belonging to the nation. Has Loubna contributed anything to rid Morocco of prostitution or for the welfare of the prostitutes to wean them away from this wretched existence? Maligning the women of the nation for money and so-called short-lived fame should not be the aim of life.
If there is a problem with one’s mother, even then no person can say that he or she will leave the mother. Morocco is not West. Values and respect are ingrained among the Moroccans. When you can’t leave mother, how can you leave motherland even if you are offended? If you do not belong to the nation, you belong to nobody else! Fence sitters, who are looking for excuses to ditch their country will not do good to their own cause.
Whether Loubna stays in Morocco or leaves it is entirely her own decision. If she is waiting for the French kiss, many in Morocco will not miss –her tantrums.
