Jewish prayers by Marrakech’s ramparts: behind the controversy, a familiar practice

The viral spread, since Tuesday, April 21, 2026, of videos showing Jewish worshippers performing religious rituals outdoors near the historic Bab Doukkala site in Marrakech has sparked a heated debate on social media.

The footage, showing what look like Jewish prayers against the city’s ancient ramparts, has prompted widespread discussion online and among civil society groups, with some questioning the nature and apparent novelty of the scene.

مواطنون مغاربة يستغربون من ظهور مجموعة من اليهود بلباس المتشددين وهم يتبركون من حائط في مدخل منطقة باب دكالة بمراكش 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/j3Er3QP9F4

(Publicité)

(Publicité)

— الرادع المغربي 🇲🇦🔻🇵🇸 (@Rd_fas1) April 21, 2026

For representatives of the local Jewish community, however, the reaction amounts to a "storm in a teacup". Jacky Kadoch, president of the Jewish community in the Marrakech-Safi region, told Médias24 that there is little point in debating an event that is neither new nor provocative.

The identity of these pilgrims is well known. They belong to the Satmar Hasidic community, an Orthodox movement based in New York, particularly in the neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Monsey. Although not of Moroccan origin, these worshippers maintain a deep devotion to the Kingdom’s Tsadikim (saints).

According to Mr. Kadoch, their presence does not follow conventional tourism patterns. They undertake so-called "go and back" pilgrimages — short stays of 24 to 48 hours dedicated exclusively to prayer at the tombs of major Kabbalistic figures such as Rabbi Abraham Azoulay, Rabbi Hanania Ha-Cohen or Rabbi David Hazzan.

As for the choice of the Bab Doukkala wall, the explanation is purely practical. Worshippers are simply looking for a neutral surface for prayer, away from the distractions of the urban environment. "The rampart holds no intrinsic religious significance for them," Mr. Kadoch explained.

Morocco, a "land of peace" for the Hasidim

The attachment of this community to Morocco is longstanding. An anecdote shared by Jacky Kadoch illustrates this connection: about eight years ago, emissaries of the community’s Grand Rabbi requested a feasibility study for a "spiritual village" near the coast. Their spiritual leader described Morocco as "a holy land and a land of peace, protected by an extraordinary King".

Although the project did not materialize following the refusal of local authorities on security grounds, the integration of these worshippers is already a tangible reality. In Touama, 40 kilometers from Marrakech, as well as in certain mountainous areas, members of this community have lived peacefully and in harmony with local populations for many years.

Beyond the reactions sparked online, the episode highlights the singular character of Marrakech, a crossroads city where centuries-old coexistence is inscribed in its stones. By remaining a destination for pilgrims from around the world, Morocco reaffirms its identity as a land of encounter and tolerance.

In the face of the immediacy of viral images, the city answers with the depth of its history, showing that spirituality, when practiced with respect for places and people, remains one of the enduring pillars of Morocco’s unique identity.