AFCON 2025! The View from Brussels | Youssef Faraj

We explore the recent African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament and its impact on the Moroccan diaspora, particularly in Brussels, which hosts one of Europe's largest Moroccan-origin communities. A youth worker, educator, and football fan, Youssef Faraj joins the discussion to dissect how the tournament was experienced, its effect on community relations, Pan-Africanism, colonial memory, and integration into Belgian society. Faraj highlights the strong feeling of being "robbed" among the Moroccan diaspora following the controversial penalty decision on Brahim Díaz, which has since led to a noticeable shift in inter-diaspora relations. We also delve into the complex history and relationship between the Moroccan and Congolese communities in Brussels. The conversation covers the distinct migration streams and urban geography of both groups in the city, touching on issues like ethnic-based districts, economic disparities in shop ownership, and the concept of a pan-African district. A central theme is the contrasting football allegiances: while Moroccans overwhelmingly root for Morocco, the rationale for Congolese supporting the Belgian national team is explored as a nuanced form of "decoloniality" and a path to empowerment through sport, given the lack of infrastructure in Congo. This leads to a discussion of why Moroccan players born in Belgium, such as Saibari, Adnan, and Talbi, often choose Morocco over Belgium, which has sparked accusations of being "traitors to the nation" in Belgium. The episode closes by examining the identity crisis Morocco faces in Africa, where it is often perceived as not African enough. 00:00 Introduction02:30 The Mood in Brussels After the AFCON Final 04:28 Moroccan and Congolese Communities: A History of Relations in Brussels06:33 Urban Geography and Segregation10:36 The Respect and Trigger Points Between Moroccans and Congolese Communities in Brussels12:50 Why Congolese Choose Belgium, and Moroccans Choose Morocco15:20 Colonial Memory and Sport16:05 The Moroccan Connection to Home and the "Traitors to the Nation" Debate18:24 AFCON's Impact on Brussels' Public Space and Police Response24:15 Allegiances in Brussels: Moroccan, Congolese, and Pan-Africanist Support31:43 Street Football Culture and Its Role in Moroccan Youth Life36:40 The Stereotype: Moroccan Talent vs. Institutional Acceptance42:54 Xenophobia and the Far Right48:10 AFCON's Soundtrack: Music, Language, and Brussels Creole50:30 Moroccan Identity and the Need for African Introspection53:05 The Arab-Slavery Narrative and Chemism as a Challenge to Moroccan Africanity57:21 The Final Aftermath: Segregated Celebrations and the Politics of Space Youssef Faraj is a consultant and project manager who is immersed in football and sports culture in Belgium. His interests range from education and youth to organizational culture change and learning design, particularly non-formal education. Connect with Youssef Faraj 👉 https://x.com/yofaraj Hosted by Hanane Harrath & Hisham Aidi Hanane Harrath specializes in contemporary politics and history of the Arab world, as well as contemporary Islam, she began her career in print media (Le Monde des religions, Le Nouvel Observateur, Le Courrier de l'Atlas) before moving into broadcasting. Connect with Hanane Harrath 👉 https://instagram.com/hananeharrathHisham Aidi is a Moroccan-American political scientist, author, music critic, filmmaker, and senior lecturer in international relations at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. His research interests include comparative race politics, art and social movements, and the political economy of development. Connect with Hisham Aidi 👉 https://instagram.com/uptown_berber FOLLOW & RATE THE RADIO IFRIQIYA:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radio-ifriqiya-powered-by-afikra/id1858526703» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1VynJbFfAioUDyM6nmiqa3» Anghami: https://play.anghami.com/podcast/1079305298 THIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl6WCw08uLTDai3ePhVUQvvz Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.