Literary supplement to the newspaper Al Maghrib

There is little doubt that our lives are heading towards an evolutionary process or, rather towards (one of) revolution, which will eventually encompass all forms of our existence. In a few years we will exchange our past with an uncertain future. We will raise questions on many aspects of our present after having lost all clues as to their origins. This is (true) without the shadow of a doubt, but if doubt there is, it can only be manifest due to one point.

We have predicted that we were on the eve of a radical change which will be accompanied by profound upheavals. We were fully aware, that this process, whose unfolding was established using scientific methods, would soon occur, reverberating the echo of that intensity hidden within the Moroccan soul that has been displayed throughout history and reverberating that hope for a better and more lenient future.

It will be clearly apparent to all who would toss but one glance at our society that it is being swept along by a strong current. No reformer points to sites (along its journey) where it risks stumbling. No enlightened spirit engages it to step resolutely forward towards desired evolution. All that can be observed is that Moroccan society is moving blindly, following the footsteps of others without knowing where they lead. It is high time (for us) to engage in reflection about our future and to lay solid foundations for the evolution of our emancipation. It is high time to uplift our character and to become aware of the power of our being.

However, before reaching this stage of reflection on our future, it is indispensable that from our midst a voice is raised loud and clear and without fear (to proclaim) that our lives are largely in lack of much needed spirited energy and that we must mobilize ourselves to fight all kinds of presumptions which subject us to the gravest of prejudices. Between our lives and enlightenment stands the specter of opposition to change. Our nation navigates by sight alone, in the middle of a black night. It is exposed without protection from the infectious microbes of repression which have settled into its cells and have contaminated the blood that circulates in its veins preventing it from reviving itself in order to forge ahead.

Everything depends on this proclamation. We do not presume at this stage in the evolution of our emancipation that our nation possesses much capacity in all fields (of modern living). However we express the hope to see our country become aware of its regressive and rooted condition and, from that moment on, (we hope) that the (leading) thinkers can take over and prescribe the most effective remedy and most appropriate solutions to launch the nation along a salutary path for real progress and true awakening.

But who is capable of (evoking) this proclamation? It is certainly neither the scientists, nor the thinkers, nor the reformers nor the artists. Only the scholars can acquit themselves adequately on this mission. They are the only ones in a position to launch out this appeal which echoes the voices of our departed ancestors, expresses the pain felt by the reformers today and symbolizes the efforts which we need to deploy to build our future. The scholars are the foundation for a veritable social revolution.

Starting with their efforts, then reformers, thinkers, men of science and all enlightened souls can take direction. For the scholar expresses what he deeply feels addressing not shadowy visions but (instead) he searches deep in his self consciousness for the means by which to wrench it away from the grip of deadly apathy and to save the infected life he leads by swapping it for a life free from the filth of ignorance and the stain of regression.

He will thereby see to what manner of liberty the world will evolve and he will judge for himself whether he should fight for the opportunity to (be able to) take action without being subject to constraints. It is only then that he will find in this nation, volunteers who will respond to the calls of reformers and who will follow the advice of (social) thinkers. This proclamation is a duty incumbent on the scholar. However the latter must not lock himself in an ivory tower following the example of scholars from other nations who have (already) reached an advanced level of culture and emancipation. Moroccan (scholars) must direct all their efforts for the good of the nation because the freedom of one individual is of no value so long as the totality of the community remains subjected to the grip of what is wrong. Moreover the individual appreciation of the fine aspects of life can not be savored as long as ignorance continues to gnaw the body of (our) society.

Such a proclamation is the duty of the Moroccan scholar. Is he aware of this? Is he ready?

Le supplément littéraire du journal "Almaghrib" - 4ème No de la 2ème année daté du 28 avril 1938