يا مسهرني — 25 mars 2026

In a special episode of the program “Ya Msaherni” on مدينة إف إم, hosted by عبدالله البلغيتي, the spotlight was placed on an academic conference held at جامعة المولى إسماعيل in Meknes. The conference discussed the book “Morocco through a Socio-Anthropological Lens: Religion, Power, and Modernity” by Dr. Mohamed Jaha. The episode featured Dr. Sofiane Chahb, who provided an in-depth analytical reading of the book’s key ideas. The book seeks to understand the structure of Moroccan society through three central themes: religion, authority, and modernization. The guest emphasized that the importance of this work lies in its field-based sociological and anthropological approach, which differs from classical interpretations that often examined Moroccan society from an external or colonial perspective. The episode highlighted one of the book’s main arguments: challenging the idea of the “absence” or “return” of religion. According to the author, religion—especially Sufism—has never disappeared from Moroccan society but has continuously evolved and adapted. It was also noted that religion’s presence is not limited to political use; it reflects a genuine social demand tied to deep spiritual and cultural needs. Dr. Chahb also discussed the book’s critique of traditional simplified divisions of Moroccan society, such as the dichotomy of “Makhzen vs. Siba” or the separation between official and popular religion. Instead, the book calls for a more dynamic understanding that views social actors as active and influential participants rather than passive subjects. Another key point addressed in the episode is the importance of adopting an interdisciplinary approach, combining sociology, anthropology, and other fields to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of social and religious phenomena in Morocco. The conference itself was marked by strong academic participation, both from Morocco and abroad—particularly from the United States—highlighting the value of academic openness and the exchange of perspectives across different schools of thought. This international engagement enriches the discussion and provides deeper, more diverse insights into complex issues. In conclusion, the episode underscores that understanding Moroccan society today requires moving beyond ready-made interpretations and embracing modern, critical approaches capable of capturing the complexity and transformations of reality. It also highlights the role of academic dialogue in fostering deeper awareness and a more balanced understanding of society.