UNE partners with Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta for festival in Tangier

Scene from festival in 2016. Photo courtesy of the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta

The University of New England’s campus in Tangier, Morocco is partnering with the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta with for its annual International Festival of Ibn Battuta held in Tangier from November 9 – 12, 2017 titled “Travelers, Ambassadors of Peace.” The festival is named after the famous 14th-century scholar and traveler, Ibn Battuta, a native of Tangier.

The partnership is intended to make the festival a meeting place between students and researchers. According to a press release, the organization’s president, Mohamed Dekkak, believes partnerships with universities are a critical component of the festival’s success.

“We are honored to partner with a university like UNE to host this international event,” said Dekkak. “UNE is already playing a major role in promoting dialogue, tolerance and peace in our region.”

Aziz Benami, founding president of the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta, stated that UNE’s involvement with the festival with help to promote both Morocco and the city of Tangier. “UNE will be better known around the world as a result of its leadership,” added Benami.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” commented Anouar Majid, Ph.D., vice president for global affairs and managing director of UNE’s Tangier Campus. “Our students in Tangier get to experience a whole range of high-caliber international activities that are hard to do in Maine. A video of a UNE student promoting the event is already being seen around the world.” Watch the video.

Participants and volunteers from 35 countries are expected to attend the three-day event. Activities will include scientific meetings, panel discussions and conferences about respecting universal values in order to improve international ties and a Carnival that will tour the city of Tangier in an atmosphere of joy and liveliness, which UNE students will participate in.

For an overview of the global dimension of this event, see this video.