The Mellah of Fez: Morocco's Jewish Quarter Under the Makhzen

In this episode of The Story of Morocco, Lucas and Luna explore the history of the mellah, the Jewish quarter of Fez, and its complex relationship with the Makhzen—the Moroccan sultanate. They trace the origins of the mellah from its establishment under the Marinid dynasty in the 14th century to its role as a center of Jewish life and commerce in Morocco. The conversation covers the legal status of Jews as dhimmis (protected minorities), the responsibilities they owed to the sultan, and the paradox of relative security alongside periodic violence. Lucas highlights key figures like the Jewish vizier Harun ibn Battash under the Wattasids, and the diplomat Samuel Pallache who served both the Saadian sultan and the Dutch Republic. They also discuss the decline of the mellah system under European colonial influence and the mass emigration of Moroccan Jews to Israel in the 20th century, leaving behind a rich cultural legacy that still resonates in Fez's architecture and cuisine. Specific terms and places mentioned include Fes el-Bali, the Qarawiyyin, the Bou Inania Madrasa, and the mellah's synagogues and cemeteries. #Morocco #Fez #Mellah #JewishHistory #Makhzen #Marinid #Saadian #Alaouite #Dhimmi #SamuelPallache #FesElBali #Qarawiyyin #BouInania #Diaspora #History #NorthAfrica #FexingoHistory #JewishQuarter Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo