Moroccan journalist and poet Abdellatif Ben Yahya has spoken about his decision to leave partisan journalism, despite his initial passion for it. At 21 years old, Ben Yahya was working as the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Al Ittihad Al Watani li Quwat Al Shaab, the mouthpiece of the National Union of Popular Forces. However, he decided to leave the newspaper, citing his desire to return to his hometown of Tangier and his disconnection from the party's ideology.
Ben Yahya's decision to leave the newspaper was influenced by his relationship with Abdullah Ibrahim, who had recruited him from university to lead the newspaper. Despite their age difference of around 50 years, Ben Yahya had a close relationship with Ibrahim, who was 70 years old at the time. Ben Yahya made it clear to Ibrahim that he was only interested in working as a journalist, not as a party activist. Ibrahim accepted this and Ben Yahya left the newspaper to return to Tangier.
During his four months of unemployment in Tangier, Ben Yahya renewed his relationships with friends, family, and his childhood sweetheart. He spent hours in cafes with friends, including poet Abdellatif Fouadi, who was a teacher at a local high school. Ben Yahya also spent time reading and exchanging books and poetry with friends. He has said that he did not feel like a burden to his friends during this time and was welcomed into their lives.
However, Ben Yahya's unemployment was eventually brought to an end when his friend Alami asked him if he wanted to work in education. Ben Yahya expressed his interest and Alami sent him to meet a contact at the Ministry of Education in Rabat. This meeting led to Ben Yahya being offered a job as a trainee teacher and he was given a choice between two locations: Taroudant and Meknes. He chose Meknes due to its proximity to his current location.
Ben Yahya was appointed as a trainee teacher at the Al Fachtalli high school in Meknes and was given a temporary accommodation allowance. However, he soon found himself struggling financially and had to move out of his initial accommodation. The director of the high school suggested that he move into a nearby hostel for students, which was run by a man named Ashour. Ashour helped Ben Yahya to find a room in the hostel and provided him with support during a difficult time.
Ben Yahya's experience of unemployment and his transition into teaching had a significant impact on his life. He has spoken about the importance of his relationships with friends and family during this time and the role that they played in supporting him. He has also highlighted the challenges that he faced as a young journalist and teacher, including financial struggles and adapting to new environments.
Today, Ben Yahya's story serves as a reflection on the challenges and opportunities faced by young people in Morocco during the 1970s. His experiences highlight the importance of relationships, adaptability, and resilience in navigating difficult times. As a journalist and poet, Ben Yahya continues to be involved in the cultural and intellectual life of Morocco, sharing his insights and perspectives with a wider audience.
Key points
- Abdellatif Ben Yahya spent four months unemployed in Tangier, where he renewed his relationships with friends and family.
- He eventually found work as a trainee teacher in Meknes, where he faced new challenges and struggled financially.
- Ben Yahya's experience highlights the importance of relationships and adaptability in navigating difficult times.
