Netizens have expressed widespread outrage after a 13-year-old boy was sexually assaulted by multiple individuals during the annual Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in Morocco.
The victim, a teenager who had been trying to support his ill mother during the festivities, was reportedly taken advantage of in the coastal city of El Jadida.
According to reports, his mother is disabled and undergoing psychiatric treatment.
The Moulay Abdallah Amghar festival is one of Morocco’s largest celebrations and was attended by large crowds this year. Unfortunately, the joyous atmosphere was shattered for the boy, who was drugged and abused over several days.
Upon returning to his hometown of Youssoufia, neighbors noticed his distressed and disoriented state and alerted the authorities.
The boy was transferred to Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech for specialized medical and psychological care. Medical professionals reported that he suffered severe physical injuries and significant psychological trauma.
This tragic incident has prompted widespread condemnation across Morocco, with many citizens expressing their anger and grief on social media under the hashtag #WeAreAllForBachir.
Calls for justice and stricter penalties for those convicted of crimes against children have intensified, alongside criticism of government communication on the matter.
One social media user wrote, “If you think the cost of education is expensive, try the cost of ignorance.”
Another highlighted the need for consistent action against abuse regardless of who the perpetrator is, emphasizing that silence and double standards must be avoided.
Renowned Moroccan journalist Samid Ghilan commented on the incident, condemning the brutal nature of the crime and questioning how such acts could be committed by people in society.
The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH) denounced the assault as a profound violation of human dignity and called for an immediate and thorough investigation.
They urged authorities to provide comprehensive psychological support for the victim and ensure that all responsible parties are prosecuted under the law.
“The nation must confront these crimes decisively,” said Mohamed Yassir, head of AMDH’s Youssoufia committee.
Authorities continue to investigate the case.