Is Morocco an Arab Country? The Complete Guide

When you visit Morocco, you will see a very beautiful mix of many cultures. You will see African nature, you will hear different words in the streets, and you will see old traditions. Because the culture is very mixed, many visitors ask a very common question. They want to know the true identity of the country. So, let us talk about this question today and explain everything in simple words.

Is Morocco an Arab country? (Short answer)

Yes, Morocco is officially considered an Arab country. It is an active member of the Arab League. Also, Arabic is an official language of the country. However, Morocco is ethnically and culturally very diverse, with a very strong Amazigh (Berber) heritage from the original people. Because of its geography, it is also a country in Africa. So, we can say it is both Arab and African at the same time.

Key Takeaways

• Morocco is officially an Arab country by language and politics.
• The country has very deep Amazigh (Berber) roots from thousands of years ago.
• Geographically, Morocco is African, but culturally it shares many things with the Middle East.

What defines an Arab country?

To answer this question well, we first need to understand what the word “Arab” means for a whole country. When we say a country is Arab, what does this actually mean? It is not only about the blood or the race of the people. It is about culture and language.

First, the most important rule is the language. If a country uses Arabic as an official language in the government, in the schools, and on the news, it is usually called an Arab country. The language brings people together.

Second, it is about cultural identity. Arab countries share many common traditions. They share similar food history, similar music styles, and also the religion of Islam is very connected to the Arabic language. You can read more about this in our article is Morocco an Islamic country to understand the religion part better.

Third, there is a political meaning. There is a big group called the Arab League. If a country is a member of this group, the world sees it as an Arab country. They share the same political goals and diplomatic meetings.

Also, we must remember the difference between ethnicity and language. Ethnicity means your DNA and where your grandfathers came from. Language is just what you speak. A person can speak Arabic every day, but their old grandfathers might not be from the Arabian Peninsula. This is very common in all the Arab countries in North Africa.

Why is Morocco classified as an Arab country?

Now we know the rules, we can look at Morocco. Why does the world put Morocco in the Arab category? There are a few very clear reasons for this classification.

• Arabic is an official language: The Moroccan constitution says very clearly that Arabic is the official language of the state. All the big government papers, the courts, and the official news are in Modern Standard Arabic.
• Membership in the Arab League: Morocco joined the Arab League in the year 1958. This was shortly after Morocco got its independence. Because Morocco sits at the table with other Arab countries to make political decisions, it is officially part of the Arab political family.
• Regional politics and diplomacy: Morocco always works closely with other Arab countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates. They have strong trade and business together.
• Cultural ties to the MENA region: Morocco is part of the MENA region. MENA means Middle East and North Africa. The official World Bank MENA section includes Morocco in this group. They share many cultural habits, like the importance of family, hospitality, and drinking sweet tea together.

Even if you are planning a trip and wondering what should I wear in Morocco, you will see that the clothing style, like the long Djellaba, is very similar to the modest clothing in other Arab cultures.

Is Morocco Arab or Berber?

This is a very important question, and it is the most beautiful part of the Moroccan identity. The simple answer is: Morocco is both. But the history is very deep.

Before the Arab people came from the Middle East, Morocco was already full of people. These indigenous people are the Amazigh. Many people call them Berber, but the correct and respectful name is Amazigh. The word Amazigh means “free people”.

• The indigenous Amazigh population: The Amazigh people lived in North Africa for thousands of years before the 7th century. They have their own culture, their own art, and their own way of life. Today, millions of Moroccans are Amazigh by blood.
• Tamazight as an official language: In the year 2011, Morocco changed its constitution. They made Tamazight (the Amazigh language) an official language next to Arabic. This was a very big day for the country to respect its true roots. You can see Tamazight letters on the street signs and government buildings now.
• Historical roots before the Arab arrival: If you go to the mountains or the deep desert, you will see pure Amazigh villages. When travelers ask what to pack for a Morocco Sahara desert tour, they are preparing to visit the lands where the Amazigh nomads still live with their camels and tents.
• Cultural blending over centuries: Today, you cannot easily separate Arab and Amazigh in the cities. For many hundreds of years, the Arab families and Amazigh families got married together. So, a person today might speak Arabic but have an Amazigh grandmother.

This means the Moroccan ethnicity is mixed. A normal Moroccan person can feel very Arab when they read the Quran or watch Arabic television, but they feel very Amazigh when they hear traditional mountain music or celebrate the Amazigh New Year.

Is Morocco Arab or African?

Sometimes, people from Europe or America get confused. They look at the map and say, “Morocco is in Africa. So why do we call it Arab?” The answer is that a country can have a geographic identity and a cultural identity at the same time.

Morocco is geographically in Africa. It is in the very top left corner of the African continent. But culturally, it is Arab and Amazigh. Historically, it was connected to the African trade routes. The caravans traveled from Morocco to Mali and Senegal. So, it has African roots too.

Politically, Morocco is part of the Arab world, but it is also a very important member of the African Union. The King of Morocco works very hard to build strong relationships with other African countries.

Here is a simple table to understand the different parts of the Moroccan identity. Tables are very easy to read and show the facts clearly.

So, Morocco is an African country with an Arab and Amazigh culture. You do not have to choose only one.

What language is spoken in Morocco?

The language situation in Morocco is very rich and sometimes a little bit complicated for visitors. But it is very interesting. When you walk in the streets, you will hear many sounds.

First, there is Modern Standard Arabic. This is the official language. It is used in the schools, to write books, and for the news on television. But people do not speak this language in the cafe or in the home.

Second, there is Moroccan Arabic, which is called Darija. This is the language of the street. Everyone speaks Darija. It is a mix of old Arabic, Amazigh words, some French, and some Spanish. It is very special. People from the Middle East (like Egypt or Syria) often cannot understand Moroccan Darija because it is very fast and has different words.

Third, there is Tamazight. This is the official Amazigh language. Many people in the Atlas Mountains and the south speak Tamazight as their first language. They only learn Arabic when they go to school.

Fourth, French is widely used. France was in Morocco for many years in the past. Today, French is the language of big business, universities, and medicine. Almost all signs in the cities are written in Arabic and French.

Finally, Spanish is spoken in some northern areas. Because Spain is very close to the north of Morocco (cities like Tangier and Tetouan), many people there speak Spanish very well.

When did Morocco become Arab?

To understand the Moroccan ethnicity and culture, we need to look at history. It did not happen in one day. It was a long process. Here is a simple historical timeline to show how Morocco became Arabized.

• Pre-7th century: In the old times, there were only Amazigh kingdoms in Morocco. They traded with the Romans and lived in the mountains and the plains. They were the original people of the land.
• 7th to 8th century: The Arab-Islamic expansion started. Arab armies and teachers traveled from the Middle East across North Africa. They brought the new religion of Islam and the Arabic language with them. When they arrived in Morocco, they introduced these new things to the Amazigh people.
• The spread of Arabic language and Islam: The Amazigh people accepted Islam very quickly. Because the holy book of Islam (the Quran) is in Arabic, many Amazigh people started to learn Arabic so they could read it and pray. This was the first big step for the Arabic language in Morocco.
• Dynasties mixing Arab and Amazigh roots: Over the centuries, there were many big kingdoms (dynasties) in Morocco. Some kings were from Arab families, and some kings were from Amazigh families. For example, if you visit the old city of Fez and ask is Fes Morocco safe, you will see a city that was built with very strong Arab and Islamic traditions. They built big universities to teach Arabic.

Slowly, the people who lived in the big cities started to speak only Arabic. The people in the high mountains kept their Amazigh language. This is how the country became a beautiful mix of both.

Final Answer: Is Morocco an Arab country?

So, after looking at all the facts, we have a very clear final verdict. If someone asks you this question, you can give them this simple summary.

• Yes, it is officially Arab. The government says so, and it is part of the Arab League.
• Yes, it is culturally Arab. The majority of people speak an Arabic dialect (Darija) and share Arab traditions.
• It is also Amazigh. The indigenous blood and culture are still very alive and officially recognized.
• It is also African. The country lives on the African continent and is part of the African Union.

The identity of Morocco is layered. It is not exclusive to just one group. This mix is exactly what makes the country so special and beautiful for visitors to explore. You can learn more interesting things about the country in our 5 facts about Morocco page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some short and clear answers to the most common questions people ask about the identity of Morocco.

Are Moroccans Arabs?

Many Moroccans identify as Arabs because they speak Arabic and share Arab culture. However, a very large number of Moroccans are ethnically Amazigh (Berber). Most Moroccans today are a genetic mix of both Arab and Amazigh ancestors.

Is Morocco Middle Eastern?

No, Morocco is not in the Middle East. It is located in North Africa. However, because it shares the Arabic language and Islamic culture with the Middle East, it is grouped together in the region called MENA (Middle East and North Africa).

Is Morocco part of the Arab world?

Yes, Morocco is a very active part of the Arab world. It is a full member of the Arab League. It shares political goals, language, and cultural traditions with the other twenty-one countries that make up the Arab world.

What race are Moroccans?

Moroccans are not one single race. The population is a mix of the indigenous Amazigh people, Arabs who came in the 7th century, and also people with Sub-Saharan African roots, Andalusian roots, and Jewish heritage. It is a very diverse population.

Is Morocco culturally Arab?

Yes, Morocco is culturally Arab in many ways. The daily language (Darija) is based on Arabic, the religion is Islam, and many traditions around food, family, and hospitality are very similar to other Arab cultures. But it also has strong Amazigh cultural differences.

Is Morocco more African or Arab?

It is impossible to choose just one. Geographically, it is 100% African. Culturally and linguistically, it leans very much toward the Arab and Amazigh world. The identity is a balance of both its location in Africa and its Arab history.