Rabat: Jasour – News Desk
The new Moroccan drama series “Rahma,” airing on MBC Maghreb during the Ramadan season, has sparked controversy on social media due to dialogue considered offensive to children with special needs.
Human rights organizations have severely criticized the content of one of the scenes, arguing that it reinforces negative stereotypes about this group.
The Moroccan National Organization for the Rights of Women in Special Needs Situations issued an official statement on Wednesday, condemning remarks made by actor Abdallah Didan in the first episode of the series, describing them as “discriminatory and unacceptable.”
The organization stressed that expressing surprise at the condition of a child with special needs perpetuates stereotypes that reinforce discrimination rather than promoting values of respect and solidarity in the Kingdom of Morocco, according to the “Hespress” newspaper.
The statement added that such language contradicts constitutional principles, national laws, and Morocco’s international commitments to protecting and promoting the rights of individuals with special needs.
The organization held the producers responsible for promoting such messages, calling for this mistake to be corrected and for adherence to human rights principles in artistic works.
The organization urged media institutions and relevant bodies to ensure the respectful portrayal of individuals with special needs in dramatic productions, reinforcing values of equality and fairness.
They emphasized the need for a rights-based approach in scriptwriting to ensure fair representation that respects the dignity of this group.
The series “Rahma” narrates the struggles of mothers with children who have special needs, highlighting the marginalization they face, especially as some fathers abandon their responsibilities due to entrenched social beliefs. In the first episode, actor Abdallah Didan appears in the role of “Dawood,” who is shocked by the disability of his newborn, leading to his breakdown and rejection of the situation, a scene that sparked controversy and criticism.
In response to the crisis, “Jasour” had previously published a statement from Bushra Malek, the screenwriter of “Rahma,” whose first episode aired last Sunday. Malek commented on the controversy surrounding the content, emphasizing that it does not offend individuals with special needs but rather defends their rights and rejects any belittlement. She urged considering the character of “Dawood,” the father who abandons his son due to his disability, as an example reflecting the reality of many families.
Malek added that the series aims to support mothers facing significant challenges with their children with special needs and to criticize inhumane attitudes toward this group. She stressed the importance of patience before passing judgment, noting that the main features of the series are not yet clear.
