Latest news with #FifthWorldForumofSociology
Ya Biladi
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco : A parallel event at the World Sociology Forum dedicated to Palestine
The day after the opening of the Fifth World Forum of Sociology, held from July 6 to 11, 2025, in Rabat under the theme «Understanding Justice in the Age of the Anthropocene», the BDS Morocco movement and the National Federation of Education (FNE) are organizing an academic session dedicated to Palestine. Scheduled for Monday, July 7, at 7:30 PM at the union's headquarters, the event aims to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and to reject all forms of academic normalization with Israel. Held under the theme «No Justice, No Love: Gaza at the Limits of the Anthropocene», the session will feature contributions from researchers Kawtar Najib (University of Liverpool – UK), Franca Marquardt (École Normale Supérieure, Florence – Italy/Germany), Ajma Hussain (University of Warwick – UK), Lujain Beruwien (University of Edinburgh – UK), and Fahid Qurashi (University of Salford – UK). This show of solidarity takes place in a context where the Moroccan Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (MACBI) has urged the International Sociological Association (ISA) to reconsider its Forum program, which includes participants directly or indirectly affiliated with Israeli universities. One session in particular has drawn criticism for referring to the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, as a «terrorist» organization. When questioned by MACBI, the ISA responded by citing «academic freedom» as its rationale.
Ya Biladi
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan sociologists push for unprecedented ban on Israeli delegation at world forum
Estimated read time: 3' Amid controversy over the announced participation of Israeli academics in the Fifth World Forum of Sociology, scheduled to take place from July 6 to 11 at Mohammed V University in Rabat, the International Sociological Association (ISA) has decided to suspend the membership of the Israeli Sociological Association, effectively excluding its representatives from the event. The forum is being organized in partnership with the Moroccan Sociological Association. The decision was confirmed by Driss Essanhaji, a professor of sociology at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez and a board member of the Moroccan Sociological Association. «Two days ago, we discussed within the board of the Moroccan Sociological Association, host of the forum, a statement that was meant to express our rejection of the participation of Israeli academics», he said in a Facebook post on Sunday evening. «But the discussion was not concluded due to the lack of a clear position from the International Association. That led us to continue the dialogue and negotiations with its officials, resulting in an unprecedented decision to suspend the Israeli Sociological Association's membership», he added. Essanhaji noted that an official statement from the International Sociological Association is expected in the coming hours or days. In a prior official statement, the Moroccan Sociological Association emphasized that hosting the forum was conditional on upholding its values and principles, especially those concerning Morocco's core national causes, foremost among them the Palestinian question. «From the beginning of the preparations», the statement said, «the association, through its structures and its members, has made it clear that hosting the forum must be contingent upon respecting Moroccan values and the positions tied to them». The association also strongly condemned «Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and all aspects of their existence», describing it as «systematic genocide» aimed at denying Palestinians their right to an independent state, sovereignty, and dignity. It urged the international community to «assume its responsibility in halting these crimes and in securing the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, in the interest of regional and global peace». It also stressed that respect for academic ethics, as set out in the statutes of the International Sociological Association, requires compliance with relevant international covenants, particularly regarding the Palestinian cause when organizing or programming conferences. The Moroccan Sociological Association further clarified that its engagement with the International Association, dating back to its bid to host the forum, «can in no way be interpreted as tacit approval of any narrative that undermines Palestinian rights». The association concluded by asserting that ongoing Israeli actions in Palestine «make it impossible to welcome any representative of this occupying entity, even in scientific or academic settings», citing Morocco's official stance, the sentiments of its people, and the deep historical and cultural bonds linking Morocco to the Arab and Islamic world. The Fifth World Forum of Sociology, held under the theme «Knowledge of Justice in the Anthropocene», is expected to draw over 4,500 researchers from nearly 100 countries to explore key global challenges. The opening ceremony is set to take place at the Mohammed V National Theatre, with academic sessions to be held at the Faculty of Educational Sciences and the Faculty of Economic, Legal, and Social Sciences in Al Irfane, Rabat. The closing ceremony will take place at the Mohammedia School of Engineering.
