Mohamed Birouaine: The Young Moroccan Bridging Communities Across Borders
Recently awarded the Moroccan Global Youth Distinction Award, the young law student from Casablanca is being recognized for his leadership, civic vision, and unwavering commitment to strengthening the Moroccan diaspora's connection to their homeland.
Birouaine received the award on July 21, during the launch of 'Morocco With Purpose''s 4th edition at Chellah, Rabat.
The distinction was presented to him by Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, in a powerful moment that celebrated youth engagement and cross-border solidarity.
A proud Berber and graduate student in Business Law at the prestigious Université Toulouse Capitole, Birouaine is the founder and president of the Association de la Jeunesse Marocaine à Toulouse (AJMT), a dynamic youth-led organization that has quickly grown into a key platform for Moroccan students and young professionals in France.
From Isolation to Initiative
'When I arrived in Toulouse, I was struck by how scattered and disconnected the Moroccan community was,' Mohamed shares. 'There were no real spaces where young people could gather, celebrate our culture, or talk about the issues that matter to us. That's when I realized we had to build something ourselves.'
In June 2023, driven by a sense of civic duty and cultural pride, Birouaine founded AJMT with a clear mission: to unify Moroccan youth in Toulouse, defend Morocco's interests abroad, and promote the country's cultural, political and social achievements in a spirit of openness and solidarity.
A Platform of Action and Solidarity
The AJMT has led a series of impactful initiatives since its creation, from organizing iftars during Ramadan and football matches, to conferences featuring important figures and celebrating national holidays in partnership with the Consulate of the Kingdom of Morocco in Toulouse.
One of their standout actions was the donation drive for earthquake-affected families in Morocco, reflecting the group's deep ties to their country and their sense of responsibility.
In April 2025, Birouaine and the AJMT joined forces with the Collectif des Associations Marocaines du Sud-Ouest de la France to organize the 'Marche pour la Vérité' (March for Truth), a powerful display of unity and support for Morocco's territorial integrity.
'Through this march, we reaffirmed our unwavering attachment to the Kingdom's unity and to the exceptional partnership between Morocco and France,' Mohamed says. 'It was a defining moment of collective pride.'
Creating Bridges Between Morocco and France
Under Birouaine's leadership, AJMT has gone beyond cultural engagement to foster political and institutional awareness.
One of the association's landmark achievements was organizing a delegation trip to Rabat in partnership with the Parlement des Étudiants (Student Parliament). The trip benefited from the support of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Consulate of Morocco in Toulouse.
The visit introduced French students to Morocco's political landscape through meetings with key figures like Minister Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and President of the Constitutional Court Mohamed Amine Benabdallah, and included tours of the Moroccan Parliament as well as cultural landmarks across the capital.
The delegation also met with the Mayor of Rabat and the Vice President of the House of Representatives, and paid a visit to the French Embassy in Rabat.
The initiative was so well received that a second edition is already planned for September 2025, this time with an economic focus in Casablanca.
'The idea is to help young people, Moroccan and French, see Morocco differently. Not just as a place of origin, but as a modern, open, and ambitious country with real opportunities,' Birouaine says.
Toward a National and Global Network
With AJMT thriving in Toulouse, Birouaine is now thinking bigger. Earlier this year, he launched the Initiative des Jeunes Marocains du Monde pour le Dialogue et l'Ouverture sur la Vie Politique au Maroc, a movement aimed at encouraging political awareness and engagement among Moroccan youth around the world.
As part of the initiative, he's organized meetings with the secretary generals of major Moroccan political parties, sparking meaningful dialogue between young diaspora leaders and national decision-makers.
Looking ahead, Mohamed has set his sights on expanding the AJMT model across France under a new national umbrella: Association de la Jeunesse Marocaine en France (AJMF).
'We want to create local sections in cities like Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Lille,' he explains. 'The idea is to build a strong, united network of young Moroccans across the country who are proud of their identity and ready to contribute to their country's future.'
A Young Leader to Watch
What makes Mohamed Birouaine stand out isn't just the number of initiatives he's launched, but the values that drive them: solidarity, dialogue, cultural pride, and political openness.
'My generation has a role to play. We are the bridge between Morocco and the world,' he says. 'Through every action we take, we carry our country with us: its history, its progress, its hopes.'
With his award-winning leadership and relentless dedication, Birouaine is not just connecting communities, he's shaping the future of Moroccan global youth. Tags: African YouthMoroccan Youth
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