Tan-Tan – 16/5/2025

The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) took part in the 18th edition of the Moussem of Tan-Tan, organized by the Almouggar Foundation, under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. The cultural event was held in Tan-Tan, Kingdom of Morocco, from 16 to 18 May 2025, under the theme, “Moussem of Tan-Tan: A Living Testament to the Universality of Nomadic Culture.”

Dr. Abdelilah Benarfa, ICESCO Deputy Director-General, and Dr. Ahmed Said Bah, Advisor to the Director-General for Partnerships and International Cooperation, represented ICESCO at the event. The Moussem featured a large number of cultural and artistic activities that reflect the diversity of the rich Saharan heritage. These included traditional Tbourida shows, camel races, handicraft exhibitions, as well as folk games that highlight aspects of the daily life of nomads in the desert.

The Tan-Tan Moussem is a major cultural event in the Kingdom of Morocco that celebrates nomadic culture by highlighting oral heritage, traditional music, handicrafts, and customs spanning generations. This event was inscribed on both ICESCO’s and UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists due to its role in showcasing Saharan cultural diversity and promoting the values of cultural and artistic exchange at regional and international levels.

This year’s edition featured two scientific seminars. The first focused on investment and local development, where participants reviewed ways to strengthen the local economy by capitalizing on aspects of Saharan heritage. The second seminar discussed women’s Hassani poetry, bringing together a host of researchers and experts in the field to shed light on Sahrawi women’s creative contributions to safeguarding heritage and transmitting collective memory through oral literature.

ICESCO’s participation reflects its firm commitment to the protection of intangible cultural heritage in the Islamic world and the promotion of a common cultural identity among its Member States.