University Mohamed I Oujda, Morocco

22/08/2026

Two recent reactions to the book on Irving's Dialogism in The Alhambra:
1. Elisabeth Dyssegaard, Executive Editor
Hello Mohamed,
I hope you’re having a great week. My name is Elizabeth Dyssegaard, and I am an Executive Editor at Macmillan Publishers. I recently came across Irving’s Dialogism in the Alhambra: Organic and Intentional Hybridities and was immediately interested in its exploration of cultural exchange, identity, and the complex relationship between Muslim and Christian traditions within Washington Irving’s The Alhambra.
I was particularly drawn to the book’s concept of cultural dialogism and its examination of how cultures interact, overlap, and transform one another rather than remaining within fixed boundaries. The distinction between organic hybridities developed through centuries of cultural contact and intentional hybridities shaped through the author’s own literary choices provides an intriguing framework for understanding Irving’s work.
The book’s discussion of cultural authenticity, identity, and the tensions between convergence and contestation is also compelling. Its argument that sustained interaction can disrupt and reshape literary and cultural boundaries offers a valuable perspective on multiculturalism and cross-cultural representation.
I was especially interested in the idea that these hybridities create cultural liminality, making it difficult to assign the texts exclusively to one cultural tradition. This approach raises productive questions about literary classification, cultural ownership, and how historical encounters continue to shape literature.
In that sense, Irving’s Dialogism in the Alhambra makes a meaningful contribution to literary criticism, comparative literature, cultural studies, and scholarship on cross-cultural exchange between the Islamic and Western worlds.Kind regards,
Elizabeth Dyssegaard
Elisabeth Dyssegaard Executive Editor
Editorial Department | Macmillan Publishers
[email protected]
https://macmillan.com
120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271, United States

2. Kamilia M. Garibay
Hello Mohamed,
My name is Kamilia, and I’m reaching out on behalf of the Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Gothic Book Club community, a vibrant group of more than 3,000 readers who love discovering thought-provoking works that invite them to look beyond the surface of a story and explore the ideas, cultures, and histories woven into it.
When I came across Irving's Dialogism in the Alhambra: Organic and Intentional Hybridities, I was genuinely fascinated by your perspective. Your exploration of cultural dialogism through Washington Irving’s writings on the Alhambra offers a rich way to see how cultures meet, influence one another, and ultimately create something more complex than fixed boundaries can capture.
What particularly stood out to me is your discussion of the relationship between Muslim culture and Andalusian Christendom, and the idea that centuries of cultural interaction can produce forms of hybridity that resist being placed neatly into one category or another. That concept of cultural boundaries becoming places of connection rather than separation feels incredibly relevant and thought-provoking.
Your own journey makes the work even more interesting. From growing up in the mountainous region of Midelt, Morocco, to teaching, pursuing advanced studies in literature and international public law, conducting academic research, and publishing across several fields, you bring an unusually broad perspective to questions of culture, literature, identity, and history.
I can imagine this book generating some wonderfully engaging discussions among readers. It opens up fascinating questions about cultural authenticity, identity, literary interpretation, historical influence, and what happens when different traditions meet and reshape one another.
We are currently preparing our 2026/2027 Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Gothic Reading Challenge, running from August 1 through September 30, 2027. Our community enjoys books with atmospheric settings and historical depth, but we also appreciate works that encourage readers to examine the deeper cultural ideas beneath the literature they encounter.
Irving's Dialogism in the Alhambra feels like an especially intriguing opportunity to introduce our readers to a scholarly work that connects literature, history, culture, and the enduring complexity of human exchange.
I would be delighted to feature your book in our upcoming reading challenge and give our readers an opportunity to discover and discuss your perspective on Irving, the Alhambra, and cultural hybridity.
Would you be open to having Irving's Dialogism in the Alhambra: Organic and Intentional Hybridities featured in our 2026 Literature & Fiction › Genre Fiction › Gothic Reading Challenge?
Warm regards,
Kamilia M. Garibay
Co-Authorship
[email protected]

Macmillan Publishers is a leading publishing company and home to some of the world’s most cherished authors and creators. Macmillan’s imprints publish a wide range of genres and formats for every kind of reader — from adult fiction and nonfiction to many inspired children’s books. As a part ...

23/07/2026

The last Compilation of essays on Postcoloniality is perhaps the culmination of a long career of participation in Seminars and lectures on the topic of Coloniality and Postcoloniality. The title: Postcoloniality, Dystopia, Identity Negotiation and Functional Differentiation argues that postcoloniality is not a finished historical era but an ongoing, adaptive condition that shapes today’s global realities. It explores how migration, globalisation, and shifting borders make identity and belonging fluid, especially for immigrants and diasporic communities. The author critiques limited definitions of postcolonialism and advocates for “postcoloniality” as an evolving process, marked by struggles for sovereignty, dignity, and self-determination.
Key themes include the instability of borders and identities, the limitations of multiculturalism, and the need for transcultural and cosmopolitan approaches to identity and community. Drawing on examples from Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the book examines how colonial legacies persist in language, governance, and social structures. It ultimately calls for flexible, pragmatic frameworks to address the ongoing challenges of identity, citizenship, and coexistence in a complex, interconnected world.

23/07/2026

Fighting the Ghosts of Years Bygone
by Mohamed Dellal
(Translated from the French:
Le Révolté de Midelt
by Behri Abdelaaziz

23/07/2026

Presenting the books on Facebook
As we approach the end of the second quarter of 2026, I have not been idle. The progress, though incremental in its daily manifestation, has resulted so far in three other books, two of which are translations from the French into English and one a compilation of Essays on issues relating to postcoloniality.
The first of the translations is entitled Fighting the Ghosts of Years Bygone, originally Le Révolté de Midelt by Abdelaaziz BEHRI.


Fighting the Ghosts of Years Bygone
by Mohamed Dellal
(Translated from the French:
Le Révolté de Midelt
by Behri Abdelaaziz
It is an autobiographical account of an ordinary Moroccan man's journey through poverty, education, and personal struggle. As a teenager, he earns a reputation for rebellion and violence, resulting in frequent clashes with authority and repeated expulsions from school. In many ways, he echoes the picaresque characters celebrated in 19th-century literature.
He grows into a fiercely independent individual, guided by self-respect, resilience, and an unwavering refusal to submit to injustice. His journey is marked by periods of hardship—homelessness, survival through resourcefulness, and reliance on the kindness of others.
Throughout his life, he encounters both kindness and betrayal, experiences that deepen his mistrust of people and institutions. He moves through a series of jobs—school supervisor, forestry worker, pharmacist, civil servant—frequently confronting corruption, incompetence, and abuse of power. The narrative strongly critiques Moroccan systems—particularly education, administration, and Justice—which he sees as deeply flawed. Despite repeated setbacks, he gradually becomes more reflective, coming to value integrity, learning, and personal responsibility.
Later in life, he pursues further education (a baccalaureate degree) to improve his prospects. Ultimately, the story emphasises that dignity, perseverance, and moral integrity matter more than conventional success, even in an unjust world.
The second Translation is entitled Zaynab Queen Consort of Marrakech, originally titled Zaynab Reine d Marrakech, by Zakia Daoud. Is romanticised historical account of Zaynab, wife of Yusuf Ibn Tachefine.

© AghmatArcheologique Site. Al Haouz Province, Marrakech.Wikipedia.
Zaynab Queen Consort of Marrakech
Translated by Mohamed DELLAL
from
Zaynab Reine de Marrakech
By Zakya DAOUD

Zaynab Nefzaouia, born in 1039, was an influential and educated woman from Aghmat. She married her cousin, Youssef Ibn Ali Ibn Al Wattas, at 15, advising him on tribal conflicts. After his death, she married Lagut Ibn Youssef Al Maghraoui, the emir of Aghmat, and hosted a salon for scholars. Widowed at 19, she had her property confiscated by Almoravid leader Abu Bakr Ibn Omar, who took her as his concubine. Zaynab advised Abu Bakr to build a new capital on a strategic plain, leading to the founding of Marrakech in the eleventh century. Abu Bakr married Zaynab and restored her property before she encountered and married Youssef Ibn Tachfine, Abu Bakr's cousin, in 1071.
This political partnership established Marrakech as the Almoravid Empire's capital, with Zaynab governing during Youssef's absences. Their son, Tamin al Mu'izz bi-Allah, was born. Zaynab retired in Aghmat and died in 1117 at 78, years after Youssef's death in 1106. Marrakech flourished, a lasting legacy of Queen Zaynab Nefzaouia.
Postcoloniality, Dystopia, Identity Negotiation and Functional Differentiation
by Mohamed DELLAL
Photo: Brussels Midi on Sunday

The last Compilation of essays on Postcoloniality is perhaps the culmination of a long career of participation in Seminars and lectures on the topic of Coloniality and Postcoloniality. The title: Postcoloniality, Dystopia, Identity Negotiation and Functional Differentiation argues that postcoloniality is not a finished historical era but an ongoing, adaptive condition that shapes today’s global realities. It explores how migration, globalisation, and shifting borders make identity and belonging fluid, especially for immigrants and diasporic communities. The author critiques limited definitions of postcolonialism and advocates for “postcoloniality” as an evolving process, marked by struggles for sovereignty, dignity, and self-determination.
Key themes include the instability of borders and identities, the limitations of multiculturalism, and the need for transcultural and cosmopolitan approaches to identity and community. Drawing on examples from Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the book examines how colonial legacies persist in language, governance, and social structures. It ultimately calls for flexible, pragmatic frameworks to address the ongoing challenges of identity, citizenship, and coexistence in a complex, interconnected world.

22/02/2026

On Freedom of Speech in MENA Cyberspace
This book examines the "cyber-security dilemma" facing nations in the Information Society, particularly the tension between protecting cybersecurity and preserving human rights such as Freedom of Expression.
Key Points:
The Core Dilemma: While the 2003 Geneva Declaration envisioned an inclusive Information Society, the digital age has created security challenges that undermine peace and stability. States must balance granting citizens Internet freedom against implementing security interventions that risk violating rights and international ethics.
Public Order Challenges:
The erosion of physical boundaries in cyberspace has intensified security threats, enabling individuals to pose global threats through digital devices in an instant. This is especially challenging for developing countries with inadequate legal frameworks.
State vs Individual Rights:
The text explores the tension between Social Atomism (individual rights) and Social Ontological Collectivism (community rights), reflected in different democratic approaches—Liberal Democratic (prioritising constitutional rights) versus Progressive Democratic (relying on local laws).
MENA Region Focus:
The study particularly examines cybersecurity and human rights issues in Middle East and North Africa countries, where complex cyber technologies compound violations. It includes field research in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Bahrain.
Historical Context:
The work traces Freedom of Speech from Greek Parrhesia through European coffee houses and Enlightenment thinkers to modern social media, showing how digital platforms have amplified both participation and problems like misinformation.
Findings and Recommendations:
Research reveals vulnerabilities, including legal unawareness, conflicting views on surveillance, and "crowdsourcing" that leads individuals to unintentionally violate their own rights. The text advocates balanced security measures based on standardised norms while cautioning against excessive "norms-whipping" that could infringe on freedoms.

22/02/2026

These are two new books hatched out with hard labour. The first is a compilation of Moroccan Folktales and their translation into English. Overall, it is not meant to be exhaustive but a tentative one. The second is the result of 4 years of hard work on Freedom of Speech, rendered more complicated by the proliferation of Social media platforms and the development of cybertechnology. For more information, the summaries or the books are given below:
On the Moroccan Folktales

This collection, while not exhaustive due to the vast and varied nature of oral tales, aims to preserve regional variations threatened by the decline of storytelling amid modern media. It seeks to illuminate the creative processes of different storytellers, including their metaleptic identification with protagonists, as described by Genette (1981). Following Propp's (1926) morphology of tales, the introduction outlines classification criteria based on character types (human, animal, object) and their interactions. Character names are also considered, reflecting regional linguistic variations. For instance, Nounja and Lounja denote the same character, the /n/ to /l/ phoneme shift indicating Riff or Atlas origin. Similarly, Thargo/Thamza/Aisha Qandisha exhibit regional name variations; while Nounja and Lounja are generally human, Aisha Qandisha can appear monstrous or alluring. Thematic criteria for inclusion prioritize humour, trickery, and wit ("The Fox and the Camel," "Misadventures of the Clever Jackal," "Clever Slave"), moral lessons ("Joha and his Son"), and classification as legends or myths depicting struggles for love or power ("Legend of Isly and Tislit," "Legend of Ibn Mashaal")
The study acknowledges the inherent limitations in definitively categorising tales, recognising the fluidity and overlap between character types and thematic elements. A single tale might, for example, feature both animal tricksters and a moral lesson, blurring the lines of strict classification. Furthermore, the metaleptic engagement of the storyteller, their personal interpretation and embellishment of the narrative, introduces a subjective element that resists absolute categorisation. The storyteller's own cultural background, beliefs, and experiences inevitably shape the tale, adding layers of meaning and nuance that transcend the basic morphology outlined by Propp. The intent, therefore, is not to impose a rigid framework, but rather to offer a set of guiding principles for understanding the structure and variations within this rich oral tradition. Future research will focus on gathering a broader range of tales, particularly from underrepresented regions, and on exploring the dynamic relationship among storyteller, audience, and the evolving narrative landscape.