UNEā€™s Anouar Majid featured in ā€˜The Arabā€™ weekly

Anouar Majid

The Arab, a weekly publication based in London and distributed throughout the Arab world, recently published a feature article on the life and work of Ā鶹“«Ć½Vice President for Global Affairs Anouar Majid, Ph.D.

Titled the article recounts Majidā€™s early experiences in the United States, recalling the first film script he wrote as a film major in New York City as well as one of the first short stories he wrote. The script depicted the fraught migration of a Moroccan citizen to Britain; the short story portrayed the plight of an American citizen who crossed the Atlantic to live in Tangier.

ā€œI was always preoccupied with my city, Tangier,ā€ Majid explains in the article. ā€œAs I lived within New Yorkā€™s skyscrapers and broad streets, Tangier occupied my mind, dispelling my concerns.ā€

The article covers Majidā€™s academic articles and books, while focusing on 2009 book, We Are All Moors, which was published on the 400th anniversary of the expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain.

ā€œEvery book is the fruit of continuous reading and meditation,ā€ Majid explains. ā€œI deal with my readings with an open mind. I am not the type to hold on to unchanging convictions. Our readings change us. Observing people and the world changes some of our notions. Daily life is the best teacher. We should not read to confirm our convictions.ā€  

In closing, the article notes Majidā€™s conviction that freedom is his ultimate religion. ā€œLiberty is my grail,ā€ he explains, ā€œbecause it has always been the Holy Grail of [humans] since the beginning of [their] journey on this Earth. Perhaps there is on this Earth something that is worth living for, thinking about and struggling for.ā€

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