“By exalting the myth of Al-Andalus, Macron thinks he will gain the respect of Muslims but only arouses their contempt”

Normalian and associate professor, Jean-Loup Bonnamy has a doctorate in philosophy. He recently published The West disoriented published by L’Observatoire.

«History justifies what we want» said Paul Valéry. It is perhaps to illustrate this word that Emmanuel Macron wanted to reactivate the myth of Al-Andalus during his trip to Morocco. Curiously praising a foreign invasion of national territory, the President of the Republic declared to his Moroccan hosts: “The years of Al Andalus made Spain and the south of France a breeding ground for exchange with your culture».

What is the myth of Al-Andalus? This is the idea according to which the Muslim presence in Spain (711 – 1492) would have been a golden and tolerant period, conducive to the harmonious cohabitation of different cultures and the three great monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam). This vision was forged by European historians of the 19th century, critical of Catholicism…