2025-08-28T17:50:00Z

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Imagine attending a vibrant cultural festival, surrounded by throngs of people, only to become the victim of a horrific crime. Unfortunately, this is the tragic reality for a 13-year-old boy who suffered a brutal gang rape during the annual Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida, Morocco, earlier this month.

The festival, known for its stunning displays of horsemanship along the Atlantic coast, quickly turned into a nightmare for the young boy. He had arrived with a group of young men from Youssoufia, including Sifi Benour and Sifi Ahmed, expecting to enjoy the festivities. Instead, he was subjected to unimaginable cruelty as he was repeatedly drugged and sexually assaulted, according to reports.

When he finally regained consciousness, the stark horror of the situation hit him—he had been assaulted by 14 men over several days while trapped in a tent. Upon returning to Youssoufia, where he lives with a disabled mother and no father, he bravely confided in his neighbors about his ordeal. Their immediate response was to alert the police and take him to a provincial hospital in Youssoufia, before he was later transferred to the Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakesh for specialized care.

This shocking incident has ignited a wave of outrage across Morocco, highlighting not only the brutality of the crime but also the vulnerability of children in such environments. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) has called for urgent action, demanding that the Attorney General in Rabat launch a thorough investigation.

In a powerful letter, Mohamed Yassir, head of AMDH's local committee in Youssoufia, emphasized that sexual assault against children is a grave human rights violation that must be treated as a serious crime under Moroccan law. The organization reminded the government of its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, urging for stronger protections against exploitation and violence.

As the news spread, Moroccans took to social media, expressing their outrage and disbelief that such a tragedy could unfold during a major cultural festival attended by thousands. The festival, which should symbolize joy and community spirit, has now become a haunting reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist even in the most public and celebratory spaces.