Through politics and community work, Moroccan academic Jamal Boussif, who lives in Strasbourg, campaigns for the rights of migrants in general and Moroccans in particular. He also works to defend his homeland and its national cause. Morocco-native Jamal Boussif immigrated to France in 1981 and took with him his passion about politics and community work to the city of Strasbourg. Boussif, who was born in Rabat in 1960, studied in Kenitra, and returned to Rabat in 1980 in order to pursue higher education at the Mohammed V University. Later, he decided to leave everything behind and move to Strasbourg, eastern France, to major in applied technology. In France, Jamal Boussif headed the city's branch of the «National Union of Moroccan Students», which at the time had a significant role in various Moroccan universities, influencing several Moroccan figures. Because he was also interested in politics, Jamal Boussif decided to study law, then economics and management, to better defend Moroccan migrants, and his homeland Morocco in general. «I ran for several local elections here in Strasbourg. What prompted me to enter politics was what foreigners in general and Moroccans in particular were suffering from, racism and unequality». Jamal Boussif In addition to his career as a politician, Jamal worked as a professor of mathematics in many centers, from 1996 until his retirement in 2021. He believed that politics and community work complemented each other, so he was active within many associations, and founded others. All of them were active in introducing Moroccan culture, defending migrants, especially Moroccans, and pleading for issues related to Morocco. «I was and still am interested in cultural activities. I founded a football club, a music band, and a theater troops», he recalled. When right-wing activism started to emerge in France, Jamal did not remain idle, and in 2014 he founded the «Strasbourg Plurielles» association. An association that defends diversity, by including people from different religious and racial backgrounds. In addition to that, his association is active in promoting Moroccan culture, as it works to bring Moroccan theater groups and Moroccan artists from various fields to Strasbourg, to perform for the Moroccan community settled in France. In 2021, Jamal Boussif tried to enter Moroccan politics by running for parliamentary elections, «to fill the absence of representation of Moroccans living abroad, that prevents them from exercising the right to nominate and vote as guaranteed by the 2011 Constitution». But he was unsuccessful. Jamal also ran on several occasions in the municipal and legislative elections in the city of Strasbourg. He said, «among the goals of running for elections, one must pave the way for the community and foreigners to contribute to political life, make their voice heard, and contribute to changing the situation from within institutions». Helping Moroccan students and defending the national cause Due to his close connection with his country and its issues, Jamal Boussif works to defend the Sahara issue, and according to him, this is «the duty of every Moroccan, whether residing in Morocco or abroad». He spreads awareness within the Moroccan community by introducing the issue, as well as pleading for it within European bodies. He also hosts many events to support the Kingdom and its interests in Strasbourg, which houses the headquarters of the European Parliament. Because he went through difficulties when he first arrived in Strasbourg, through his association, Jamal Boussif is keen to ease the difficulties Moroccan students face when heading there to pursue their academic career, by helping them find housing and enabling them to overcome administrative issues.
