Al Fanair renames song ‘Maghribiya’ following title controversy

The Moroccan musical group Al Fanair has released a new version of its song under the title ‘Maghribiya’ (Moroccan) following significant controversy surrounding its original title, ‘Maroukiya’. The group initially faced backlash from followers regarding the implications of the first title, leading them to delete the original version and re-release the work with a name more directly linked to Moroccan identity.

Moroccan activist Nabil Harbaz has criticized the group’s response, arguing that changing the title is insufficient to resolve the issue. Harbaz pointed out inconsistencies in the group’s previous statements defending the original term and noted that the original version remains accessible on global streaming platforms like Spotify. He has called for a formal apology to the Moroccan public to address the perceived misunderstanding of cultural identity.