September 15: North Africa rolls and boils

In which, tragedy stalks the Maghreb.

Not gonna lie, I’m getting to this week’s Brief in a very fatigued state (kids these days) and a little shell shocked by the news cycle, so my apologies if there’s a little downbeat on this one. Sometimes you just gotta stare human frailty in the face and pray God would be merciful to us.

North Africa rolls and boils

That’s me in 2007 in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been: The old souk (covered market) and medina in Marrakech, Morocco. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site for good reason. It’s a sensuous blend of color, sound, and scents that draws one into the beauty and vibrancy of human life. Sites like the Marrakech souk have inspired poetry and music by many visitors. My short stay there impressed the Moroccan people and culture on me in a profound way that brought me back to that country several times in the following years and shaped my doctoral studies. Just writing this short blurb surfaces more memories than I can relate here.

Suffice to say, then, it was with great sadness that I read the news this last week of the deadly earthquake in Morocco. The epicenter was just outside Marrakech and devastated the Old City where the souk is located. Over 1,000 are dead and thousands more injured and missing. 

Observers are saying that the damage done by the quake will likely shrink the kingdom’s GDP by as much as 8% and hamper its efforts to be a stable regional power. 

Maybe. The silver lining for me is that if there’s one lesson I’ve drawn from my research and writing on Moroccan history and political culture it’s to never underestimate this small country of remarkable depth. Moroccans are among the most patriotic people I’ve encountered. They love their country and sharing it with others. Rebuilding for them will likely be about more than just restoring a physical space. It will also be a spiritual exercise in restoring something of their national soul.

The quake in Morocco would’ve been enough of a tragedy for the Maghreb this week, but it was compounded by devastating floods in Libya the destruction of which eclipsed that in Morocco. As of today, it’s estimated that over 10,000 have died in the floods with more still missing and feared dead. Like Morocco, though not quite as deep, I have something of a personal connection to Libya. Some of my favorite people in my doctoral program, the ones I connected with the best were my Libyan classmates. We shared the dual burdens of being doctoral students while simultaneously working to provide for and raise our families. We also were willing to share our respective faiths with one another and recognized our mutual desires to honor God in our lives. Despite the many tragedies befalling their country and keeping them from returning there, they were eager to take their education back to their home country and make it a good place. I hope they have that opportunity. Heaven knows, Libya needs help.