Moroccan Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch represented King Mohammed VI on Wednesday at a national tribute ceremony honoring renowned French philosopher and writer Edgar Morin in Paris, following the intellectual's death on May 29 at the age of 104.
The ceremony was held at the Hôtel des Invalides in the French capital and attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, senior French officials, political leaders, and prominent cultural figures. Also present were Morin’s widow, Moroccan sociologist Sabah Abou Salam, members of his family, Morocco’s Ambassador to France Samira Sitail, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, and several members of the French government.
During the event, Akhannouch delivered to Morin’s family a message of condolences from King Mohammed VI, in which the monarch paid tribute to the philosopher’s global intellectual legacy and his longstanding attachment to Morocco.
In his message, King Mohammed VI highlighted Morin’s deep affection for the Kingdom, noting that he had forged strong friendships in Morocco and frequently praised its historical roots and open cultural identity. The King said Morin viewed Morocco as a country that had successfully upheld values of coexistence and openness at a time when many societies were increasingly confronted with tendencies toward isolation and division.
The monarch also emphasized Morin’s enduring influence on generations of scholars, researchers, and students through his pioneering intellectual and humanistic contributions. His works, the King noted, helped shape contemporary thinking across multiple disciplines and earned him recognition far beyond France.
King Mohammed VI further stressed that all those who knew Edgar Morin would continue to remember him with admiration and affection, adding that his name would remain firmly embedded in the collective memory of the global intellectual community.
One of France’s most influential thinkers, Morin was widely recognized for his work in sociology, philosophy, and complexity theory. Throughout his long career, he advocated interdisciplinary approaches to understanding human societies and global challenges, earning international acclaim for his contributions to contemporary thought.
The tribute in Paris reflected both Morin’s stature within French intellectual life and the special ties he maintained with Morocco, a country he frequently praised for its cultural diversity and commitment to dialogue between civilizations.
