Moroccan theater artist Ahmed Jawad set himself on fire in front of the headquarters of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture in Rabat, on the occasion of International Theater Day, in protest against his "exclusion" and marginalization, according to media reports.
Passers-by were surprised by a person who set himself on fire in front of the ministry building, according to local reports. Citizens rushed to extinguish the fire to save him, before he was taken to hospital for treatment. Jawad left a written message in which he talked about the problems he is experiencing with employees in the culture sector.
And the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication announced that it had "taken note of the unfortunate incident", as a person set himself on fire in front of the main door of the Ministry – the Culture Sector, in reference to the theatrical artist Ahmed Jawad.
And she expressed her "deep regret for this tragic incident," in a statement published by Moroccan news websites. She wished "a speedy recovery for this citizen, who was transferred to receive treatment at Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat." It also expressed its full solidarity with the citizen and his family, as a result of what happened, whatever the circumstances, backgrounds, and motives behind this incident.
The ministry indicated that the matter is related to a contract employee at the Mohammed V Theater in Rabat, who was retired in October 2021, and “enjoys all his rights guaranteed to him by law, and works at the same time in theatrical art.”
The ministry stated that the person had previously submitted a request to purchase theatrical performances, which was approved of his request, as this ministry purchased two theatrical performances in 2022, and also agreed to purchase a theatrical performance in 2023, and these performances were previously presented in the cities of Mashraa Belkasiri and Salé.
The Ministry announced that it is following up the condition of the aforementioned person, moment by moment, as an official in the culture sector was dispatched to monitor his health in the hospital, and wished him a speedy recovery.
The Moroccan artist started a hunger strike since last February 6, in protest of the ministry's refusal to support his new theatrical work, on the pretext that it is an old production. He stressed that the ministry concerned with the cultural sector, at a time when it refused to support his artistic work, decided in return to support other ancient works of art belonging to other playwrights, according to the Independent Arabia website.
He regretted “excluding him from the retirement honor, like all the workers in the National Theater of Mohammed V who were referred to retirement, and he spent many years active in the family club in the Capital Theater, in addition to the fact that he holds the “artist card”, which is the professional card that the ministry grants to workers. In the recognized cultural sector.
Jawad had worked for years in revitalizing the Family Club at the Mohammed V Theater, by attracting cultural and artistic figures from inside and outside Morocco.
Okaz (Rabat)