Distinguished panellists, including Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binenine, Ahmad Shahlan, and Fatima Tahtah, guided by moderator Mohammed Laamarti, shared insights into how the Andalusian legacy continues to shape Moroccan and Andalusian identities across politics, culture, philosophy and the arts.
Moderator Laamarti set the tone by emphasising that “Moroccan Andalusia is alive within us,” affirming Morocco's selection as Guest of Honour at SIBF and the enduring cultural synergy between Morocco and Andalusia. He described how Andalusian heritage permeates Moroccan traditions, customs, and language, recalling centuries of political and cultural unity that connected the two regions.
Cultural and intellectual bonds
Dr. Ahmed Chaouki Binenine, an expert on Andalusian and Arabian manuscripts, highlighted the intellectual contributions of Andalusia to the Arab Islamic world and beyond. "If we had erased the contributions of the Arabs from history, the European Renaissance would have been delayed by centuries," he asserted, noting the extensive production of manuscripts in Andalusia, especially in Córdoba, which became a center for knowledge and culture. These manuscripts were translated into Latin, influencing scientific and philosophical thought across Europe.
Dr. Binenine credited notable figures like Ibn Rushd, also known as Averroes, for their role in integrating classical philosophy with Islamic thought. “Córdoba’s scholars bridged East and West, shaping intellectual movements that continue to impact both cultures,” he stated, emphasising the scholars’ far-reaching influence on Europe’s intellectual landscape.
Modernism in Andalusian thought
Ahmad Shahlan, an expert in comparative religion and Hebrew studies, reflected on how Andalusian scholars laid the groundwork for modernist ideas in the Islamic world. He discussed influential figures like Ibn Hazm and Ibn Rushd, who promoted philosophical and scientific inquiry that later inspired European intellectuals. "Modernism, in its early sense, was a return to the natural and a questioning of religious and classical doctrines, aiming for human liberation," he noted.
Shahlan drew parallels with Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza’s critical approach to religious texts, highlighting Andalusian thinkers’ early role in fostering cross-cultural understanding. “Andalusia was a unique space where religions and cultures coexisted,” he said, underscoring its impact on Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Literary and cultural symbiosis
Fatima Tahtah, a specialist in Andalusian literature, examined the literary and cultural unity between Morocco and Andalusia, especially during the Almoravid dynasty. “The political unity between Morocco and Andalusia was mirrored in their literary and intellectual lives,” she explained, detailing how authors, poets, and philosophers shared ideas that contributed to a rich, shared cultural legacy.
Tahtah highlighted how Morocco became a refuge for Andalusian intellectuals and artists fleeing Spain after the fall of Granada in 1492. “The Andalusians brought with them not only their knowledge but also their customs, architecture, music, and culinary traditions,” she said, illustrating how these cultural influences deeply enriched Moroccan society and preserved Andalusian culture in the Maghreb long after its decline in Spain.
Dr. Tahtah also brought attention to the often-overlooked role of women in Andalusian literary history, mentioning records of female scribes who contributed to the preservation of knowledge by transcribing and copying manuscripts. “Andalusian women were integral to the preservation of knowledge,” she noted, adding that this progressive attitude toward female literacy was another lasting influence on Moroccan society.
The panel concluded with a message on the living legacy of Moroccan Andalusia, affirming its enduring influence on Morocco’s cultural, intellectual, and social fabric. This unique session, part of the SIBF Guest of Honour programme, paid tribute to Morocco’s role in safeguarding Andalusian heritage and highlighted the interconnectedness of the Arab world’s rich historical past.
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