When night fell in Marrakech, Morocco, on the night of April 16th, 2020, many residents found themselves in an unfamiliar situation – displaced. With the fear of an impending military intervention in the region, people had already begun to flee. Along the city’s narrow streets, small groups of families stood, swollen with belongings, waiting desperately for buses or taxis to take them away from the chaos that had consumed the day.
For many, leaving was not an option. For these people, spending the night in the streets of Marrakech seemed like the only safe choice. As an eerie silence descended over the city, families huddled in doorways or gathered around the occasional bonfire, sheltering against the cold. Mothers held their children, and young people comforted their elderly relatives.
The night dragged on, and news of further military interventions cast an increasing shadow of fear over the city. The people stayed, until dawn brought them some hope of safety. Finally, taxis and buses began to arrive, and the passengers began their journeys to unknown destinations, leaving the streets of Marrakech momentarily relieved of their inhabitants.
For those who were able to leave, the night in the streets of Marrakech was an unforgettable experience. Despite the painful sadness brought on by the uncertainty of what was to come, it was also a night of resilience, as the people of the city banded together to face the uncertain future together.
No one knows what the future holds for Marrakech, Moroccan citizens, or indeed the whole Middle East region. But for one night, the people of Marrakech stayed in the streets, reminding the world of the strength of human spirit in the face of adversity.
