Morocco; a land that defines diverse, a culture that charms every sense, a spirit seen in the eyes of the many you meet. While my voyage to Morocco began in a conference room of world leaders taking action on climate change (COP22), it transitioned into a Voyaj to explore the heart of this land and have meaningful interactions with the people who call it home. 16 GameChangers representing 7 countries set off for the Sahara. Famed artists, business visionaries, feminine forces, makers and innovators, and the one-and-only Yasmine El Baggari leading the cultural tour de force, backed with champion-level support by the incredible Marian Zizzo. The potential? Endless. The result? Expanded in every way.
What does it mean to Voyaj? It means taking a journey into the culture of another, to interact soul-to-soul with curiosity as you experience life through their lens. I consider myself a global citizen, have been privileged to explore many corners of this earth, and love understanding new cultures. Yet, I’ve remained perplexed by the Arab world. In 2012 I gave my first TEDx talk in the U.A.E. to a room of Arabs dressed in their formal attire, including the Sheikh and many government leaders. Picture me, showing up as a twenty-something kid to talk about a “shift in consciousness” and "redefining success to be about impact rather than income". The yawns were caught on camera! I left with a stereotype that this Arab nation was living in a past age, people were repressed, and driven by the desire to consume. Add in western media blasting Islam, a Christian society that often paints Muslims as “needing saved”, and berqas and beliefs that make all of this feel a little strange. The result: a colored lens, stereotypes, misunderstandings.
What I soooooo appreciated about this journey through Morocco was the collective intention to deeply understand the culture. To inquire not assume. To relate rather than just transact. To be curious rather than certain. Connecting with strangers in the streets, having deep dialog with devote Muslim women, and being hosted by local families were among the richest moments; moments where I felt the golden thread of the human family #JeffScult Yusef, the 60 year old man whom I spoke to in the universal language of hand gestures, guided me for 2 hours through the winding cobblestone streets of the Madina in Marrekesh ensuring I wouldn’t get lost and remarkably succeeded in helping me find all the random items I needed from an iPhone adapter to razor blades that would fit my shaver.
Days later it was a group of teenage boys who walked me and my luggage through dark alleys in the late hours of the night to successfully find my friends, leaving me with a kiss on the forehead and blessing me with a youthful laugh. Young or old, these men who continued to show up through the journey had a light in their eyes that was ever so clear. A sense of joy. Evidence the spirit within them was being effectively cultivated. The Muslim women I dialoged with were well educated, and while liberal in their practice of Islam, were quick and congruent in their response to its positive impact on their life. I learned so much I didn’t know and felt connected to the principles embodied in this faith.
The spectacular Hassan ll mosque in Casablanca showcased an inclusive element of Islam, with four areas of this multi-billion dollar art piece being built in honor of different religions. If there were best practices in designing “faith traditions”, the Muslim principle of praying 5 times a day, gathering together for amplifying those collective prayers, and fasting for a month a year to purify and be reminded of the privilege of having food all carry great merit and beauty.
So why do we, especially in the west, hold stereotypes of the Islamic world? Like in most religions, the extreme form isn’t based on the true principles of the religion and rather become fractions that spawn fear and separation. How can we encourage people to stay curious and not “throw out the baby with the bathwater”? How strong is your curiosity muscle? Are you quick to flex away limiting stories that cause you to see less than truth? This Voyaj did it for me, creating space for curiosity, dialog to dig deeper, and meaningful connections that will live in my heart for a lifetime.
Imagine a world united in celebrating all cultural practices and traditions that grow more love in the world. If this is a world you want, then what cultures will you get curious about, and how will you join them in celebrating their unique expression of love?
With Love,
Andrew