Paris Honors Moroccan Resistance Fighters on the Anniversary of De Gaulle’s Call
A ceremony was held yesterday, Wednesday, in the French capital Paris to honor the Moroccan resistance fighters who participated in World War II. This initiative was organized by the Moroccan consulate in Paris in partnership with the local municipality of the 15th arrondissement.
The tribute coincided with the annual commemoration of General De Gaulle’s historic call on June 18, 1940, when he urged the French to continue resisting, stating: "France is not alone."
The event was attended by several family members of veterans, French elected officials, members of the Moroccan community, and friends of Morocco, alongside the Consul General of the Kingdom in Paris, Nadia Boucali Hassani, the Mayor of the 15th arrondissement, Philippe Boujon, and the President of the Association of Moroccan Veterans, Michel Scarbonchi. During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the "Monument to the Martyrs" in the town square, followed by the playing of the national anthems of Morocco and France.
Mayor Boujon emphasized that this tribute carries a special significance, reflecting the municipality’s connection with the Moroccan community residing there and honoring the symbolism of a space that holds a rich historical memory, especially during the years of World War II. He added that organizing this event eighty years later underscores the duty of remembrance towards the victims of Nazism and those who refused to surrender and fought against occupation for freedom.
Boujon stressed the importance of honoring the Moroccan resistance fighters who played a key role in liberating France, asserting that Morocco stood by France during its most challenging historical moments.
For her part, the Consul General of Morocco highlighted that this celebration is not merely an acknowledgment of individuals but a celebration of the human values they defended, noting that thousands of Moroccans voluntarily engaged in a battle that was not merely for one nation but for freedom and human dignity.
Nadia Boucali Hassani praised the courage of Moroccan resistance fighters who wrote a glorious chapter in the shared history of Morocco and France, affirming that they exemplified bravery, loyalty, and fraternity, sharing a unified fate with their French brothers in the struggle for freedom.
She called for the need to preserve this legacy and pass this memory to future generations, considering it a living lesson and a foundation for shared values between the two countries. She expressed her happiness at the participation of several students in the ceremony, believing that the bond forged during wartime has strengthened in peacetime to evolve into partnership, cooperation, and friendship between the two peoples.
In a statement to the Maghreb Arab News Agency, the President of the Association of Moroccan Veterans emphasized the importance of this tribute, which for the first time combines the commemoration of General De Gaulle’s call with honoring the Moroccan soldiers who contributed to the liberation of France, praising this initiative that honors one of the most significant pages in the shared history between the two countries.
