The Moroccan caftan protected against a new Algerian attempt.

Morocco successfully countered another attempt by Algeria to appropriate a symbolic element of its heritage. This Wednesday morning, at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage was the stage for yet another attempt to seize Moroccan cultural heritage, the traditional Moroccan caftan.

With the unexpected support of the Republic of Paraguay, Algeria introduced a controversial file regarding the Algerian dress code, including an image explicitly identified as a Moroccan caftan. This attempt immediately provoked a strong reaction from the Moroccan delegation, led by Ambassador Samir Addahr, who lodged an official protest supported by incontestable evidence.

After thoroughly examining the presented arguments, the committee ruled in favor of Morocco, ordering the removal of the incriminated image. This decision is based on indisputable evidence regarding the Moroccan origin of the caftan and a blatant violation of intellectual property rights.

This episode is not isolated. For several years, Algeria has been making numerous efforts to appropriate elements of Moroccan heritage, thereby illustrating a cultural strategy that borders on provocation. Whether it concerns couscous, Bharati, or even handicrafts, Algerian attempts follow one another and are similar, testifying to a clear obsession with competing with Morocco on all fronts, often by appropriating deeply rooted identity symbols in Moroccan history.

These recurrent practices, denounced by heritage experts, reflect a lack of a distinctive cultural vision in Algeria. Rather than valuing its own cultural and heritage riches, Algeria continues to strive to erase the Moroccan trace from historical and cultural narratives. This attitude, beyond a simple bilateral dispute, highlights an inability to propose a genuine and assertive cultural identity.

Facing these repeated attempts, Morocco does not remain inactive. The Ministry of Culture, in partnership with Morocco's Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, has adopted a proactive approach. A comprehensive database has been established, documenting the historical, cultural, and artistic origins of the Moroccan caftan, as well as other elements of the national heritage. Moreover, the recently established "Morocco" label serves as a key tool to ensure the preservation and valorization of the intangible cultural heritage against foreign appropriations.

Morocco has also committed to the international stage, closely collaborating with UNESCO and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This meticulous work not only allowed it to defend its rights but also to strengthen its position as a major player in the preservation of world heritage.

This new episode reflects a deeper struggle between two visions: that of a Morocco rooted in its history and determined to safeguard its identity and that of an Algeria seeking cultural legitimacy that it attempts to construct on shaky and disputable foundations.

The matter of the caftan transcends the bounds of a mere dispute over a traditional garment. It exemplifies a dynamic of confrontation where culture becomes a tool of diplomatic influence and identity projection. For Morocco, defending its heritage is not merely a matter of honor but also a strategic act in a region where political and cultural rivalries shape international relations.

By refusing to yield to these repeated provocations, Morocco sends a clear message: its heritage is not for sale or to be distorted. Through this symbolic victory, the Kingdom reasserts its role as custodian of a millennium-old legacy that, far from being a dispute point, serves as a bridge to universal culture.