Born in the heart of the Rif region in northern Morocco, Mohamed Khoutoul's experience tells a unique and inspiring life story. It was not just a move between two countries but a journey full of challenges that shaped his personality and future. Mohamed Khoutoul, a Moroccan immigrant in France, was born in Al Hoceima in 1971. Like his peers, he attended a Quranic school as a child, memorizing 35 parts of the Holy Quran. At the age of eleven, he joined his father, who was working in France, accompanied by his mother. Despite his young age, Mohamed turned the challenges he faced in France—from learning a new language to adapting to a different educational system—into opportunities for growth and excellence. Those early years in France became a cornerstone of an identity that he not only established but also used to build a bridge between two cultures, proving that determination knows no borders. «Integration was not easy at first, as I had never entered a classroom in Morocco and enrolled in school in France at a late age», Khoutoul told Yabiladi. Despite this, he excelled in his academic career, earning several diplomas and certificates. These include a master's degree in management, economics, law, and project management from the University of Orléans (2005-2006), a master's degree in science and development from the University of Paris 13 (1998), and a certificate in change management from the Military School—Ministry of Defense (2008), along with several other qualifications. A long and multifaceted career From 1997 to 2000, Mohamed Khoutoul worked as a local development agent, serving as director of city policy in Bourges, an economic development agent in Le Mée-sur-Seine, and an economic mission officer in Sainte-Etienne-du-Rouvray. From October 2000 to April 2007, he served as General Manager of the integration company RESPIRE, where he restructured the organization and increased its revenues from €700,000 to €1.2 million within three years. In 2008, he joined the French Ministry of Defense as Director of Military Site Conversion. Until August 2012, he oversaw the restructuring of several military sites, designed methodologies for site conversion, and coordinated efforts with both governmental and private entities. His professional journey also includes roles such as Director of Corporate Movement at the Department of Essonne (MEDEF), Treasurer of the Île-de-France Transport Union, and currently, President of the IUT d'Evry-Val-d'Essonne. In this role, he manages nine departments, overseeing more than 170 employees and 2,000 students. Concurrently, he serves as Director of Strategic and Corporate Affairs for the Île-de-France region at the Keolis Group, a French transportation company managing public transit systems worldwide. Writing about human experiences In addition to his diverse professional career, Mohamed Khoutoul is a distinguished writer whose works chronicle profound human experiences. He aims to convey messages of life, unveiling the unseen worlds within each individual. He has published six books, the first of which, «C'est possible ?», was released in 2005 by L'Harmattan. Khoutoul explained that the book, introduced by Father Bernard Nouveau, recounts how he witnessed extraordinary events in his life. For instance, at the age of fourteen, having lived in France for only four years and learned French just three years prior, he requested a meeting with the academy inspector. The inspector's secretary received him, and his request was granted. «Such things don't happen every day», he remarked. «I don't share these stories to glorify myself but to testify to the greatness of God and to encourage all immigrants. Living well in a country that isn't your own is often difficult, but it's possible». «Knowledge is not transferred from mouth to ear but from a heart willing to give to a heart ready to receive. That is the art of education. To give, you must first have received. What we transmit is not only knowledge but also our story, our passion, and our humanity». In 2006, Khoutoul published «Le Chêne et l'Olivier - Lettre à Marianne», also with L'Harmattan. «France was the country I dreamed of as a child, and it became a reality when I was eleven years old. Writing a letter to France is an act of communication, a sharing of knowledge, feelings, and ideas. It's also a way of coming together. Isn't it beautiful to transform a dream into reality? Everything is possible». In 2017, he released «Islam, Intégration, Insertion - Propositions pour la France», offering a sober and practical vision of Islam's message of transcendence, peace, and brotherhood. «Islam is the religion of the House of the Book, but today, in the minds of some, it is reduced to immigration, integration, the barbarism of radical Islamism, and the suburbs», Khoutoul noted. He emphasized the need for ijtihad—independent reasoning—and the integration of social sciences to contextualize Islamic practices and foster understanding. In the same year, he published «C'était le Père Bernard Neveu 1920-2014», honoring the late Christian cleric who played a pivotal role in his life. «This book shares an exceptional relationship between a priest and a young Muslim, built on friendship and brotherhood. It's a testimony to deep spiritual practices and mutual respect», he said. In 2021, Khoutoul published «RENCONTRES : le face-à-face sacré des relations», with L'Harmattan. «Encounters go beyond the surface; they have a sacred dimension that reveals the essence of being. This book invites readers to self-discovery and to explore the holiness within God's creation», he explained. Last August, he released his sixth book, «Bienveillance : Au cœur de la vie et du sacré», where he reflects on care through personal, professional, and life experiences. In addition to his writings, Mohamed Khoutoul lectures and teaches on topics such as Islam, cultural sociology, local development, and corporate management. He co-founded the Interfaith Dialogue in Orléans. A first-degree black belt in karate, Khoutoul maintains a deep connection to Morocco. «I am Moroccan, rooted in my heritage, which is essential to my growth outside Morocco. I cherish my Amazigh roots from the Rif Mountains. They shape who I am today». «My language, culture, social practices, and religion are vital. I am Moroccan by birth and French by appreciation. Morocco is my permanent country, while France is my daily country. One cannot choose between mother and father; both are integral to who I am».
