Hommam Al Nassim 
The Kingdom of Morocco, through the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, in coordination with the Permanent Mission of Morocco to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has filed an official complaint against Algeria for “stealing the caftan” (a jacket or traditional robe).
According to the sources, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, signed the complaint, which was addressed to Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
According to the complaint, Morocco noticed a photograph of “Nataa Fez” in an Algerian file that Algeria intends to submit to the government committee in charge of safeguarding intangible heritage.
The complaint pointed out that the caftan in question had been stolen from a museum in Amsterdam and was Moroccan property.
The complaint demanded the withdrawal of the image of the Moroccan caftan, stressing that the Moroccan cultural heritage is an integral part of the Moroccan identity, and that Morocco is committed to its civilizational cultural heritage.
The complaint demanded that the heritage file not be exploited for any narrow political calculations, adding that Morocco will defend its heritage by all available means.
Morocco called on the competent committee to exercise vigilance when processing nomination files to avoid the recurrence of thefts of the cultural heritage of States.
Moroccan-Algerian relations are witnessing a continuous deterioration against the backdrop of several problems, including the disputed “Western Sahara” issue and other contentious issues.
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