Sentenced a little too quickly, not for embezzlement but for squandering of public funds, Faouzi Skali, doctor in anthropology and religious sciences, known to be a follower of the Sufi movement, continues to receive many marks of sympathy from his friends and acquaintances. among the most illustrious in the intellectual and spiritual world. This time it is the renowned philosopher, sociologist of complex thought with multiple books and research, Edgar Morin, who brings him a testimony which places the action of the founder of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music of the World in his field. intellectual far from the material stewardship of the finances of a Meeting that has become essential for all cultures
Dear Faouzi,
I would like to express to you all my admiration for the creation and for the organization of the Festival of Sacred Music of Fez and its Forum as well as the Festival of Sufi Culture to which you have given me the honor and friendship of invite me. We met in 1997, on the occasion of a major conference dedicated to the spiritual cultures of the world, near Grenoble, already evoking our common interest around these questions.
These meetings in Fez then made me experience unforgettable moments of literally sacred emotion in communion with what elevates and transcends our humanity but also, nourished by this artistic and spiritual dimension, in-depth reflections around the current state of the world. and its future prospects. This approach of combining aesthetic emotion, the notion of beauty and fairness, with intellect and spirituality – with all spiritualities – to lead to possible common actions, is at the heart of the necessary implementation of what I called a complex thought and in full resonance with these magnificent projects that are carried out in Fez. From this point of view, Morocco is one of the rare places where the freedom to create of civil society, of which you are a representative, has been able to lead over time to creating such an inspiring space for thought and sharing.
These meetings responded to the great intention of reinstilling in Fez, this city heir to the spirit of ancient Andalusia, at a time when the world really needs it, a bridge of fraternization between cultures and religions often ignorant of each other. others.
Thus accomplishing the most noble mission, which is to promote understanding between women and men of all countries and to ensure that the foreigner ceases to remain strange to become a compatriot in humanity.
Montaigne said “I see in every man a compatriot”. This formula takes on a concrete and vital meaning in our century. We are the children of the Fatherland.
During these festivals, you organized conferences, dialogues and symposiums in which I had the joy of participating.
Bonds were created from which were born lasting friendships. And how not to mention that it was during the Sufi Culture Festival in 2009 that I found Sabah, lost sight of for years, now my partner and my wife. A call from fate that brought me closer than ever to this Moroccan land that is dear to me and to the cultural and human issues and effervescence that occur there and that we follow with the greatest enthusiasm and interest.
You have my dear Faouzi carried out all these projects, which are only the concrete face of a creative vision and thought, with probity and integrity appreciated and recognized by all.
You have chosen not to remain within the limits of research and meditation but to work in a tangible way with others for the necessary emergence of a spiritual humanism in the face of the challenges of our time.
You have accomplished this mission in an exceptional way, and we are among those innumerable who express the wish that this living heritage, which is now part of the contemporary history of Fez, may continue to prosper and bear fruit for Morocco and in the world .
With my friendly tribute and that of Sabah
Edgar Morin