Morocco issued a strongly worded rebuke on May 21 accusing individuals linked to Algeria’s delegation at UNESCO of “unacceptable” conduct, as Algerian regime looks intent on contaminating sports and culture with its enmity towards anything Moroccan.
In a statement, Morocco’s delegation said participants representing Moroccan civil society were subjected to repeated verbal abuse during events marking Africa Week at the Paris-based agency, describing the behavior as a serious breach of the spirit of dialogue UNESCO is supposed to uphold.
Videos on social media showed Algerian men verbally assaulting Moroccan women in their caftans.
Rabat pointed the finger directly at the Algerian delegation and said such incidents had become increasingly frequent, particularly after UNESCO officially listed the Moroccan caftan as intangible cultural heritage in December 2025.
Prior to UNESCO’s decision, the Algerian regime had launched an appropriation campaign targeting Moroccan civilization, including dress, cuisine and even architectural elements.
The statement dismissed what it called “opportunistic attempts” to rewrite or dilute historically established facts, stressing that Morocco’s cultural heritage is well documented and widely recognized by international bodies, foremost among them UNESCO itself.
Morocco called on UNESCO to enforce its own standards on ethics and cultural integrity, urging it to ensure that its forums are not used for what Rabat sees as political point-scoring or historical distortion.
Rabat said it would continue to promote its cultural heritage internationally while working with partners “on the basis of mutual respect,” but made clear it would not tolerate challenges to what it regards as established cultural ownership.
