On the warm afternoon of July 30, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria became a small Atlantic Rabat. With red flags waving in the smooth coastal breeze and traditional costumes shining among the attendees, the Moroccan community living in the south of the island—especially in the municipalities of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Mogán, and Santa Lucía de Tirajana—attended the official Throne Day ceremony organized by the Consulate General of Morocco with solemnity, pride, and a sense of belonging.
“The king is in our hearts, and the Canary Islands are our present,” said an emotional Mohammed Benali, a veteran hotel worker who has lived in El Tablero for 20 years. Like him, many attendees see this event as a reaffirmation of their hybrid identity, woven between the nostalgia of the Rif or Casablanca and the sun-soaked routine of Maspalomas or Puerto Rico.
The central government delegate in the islands, Anselmo Pestana, said the Moroccan community brings wealth and great stability, and praised the country's cohesion under the reign of King Mohammed VI.
The ceremony, which commemorates the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, brought together civil and military authorities, business leaders, academics, and religious representatives, but the most significant event was the presence of dozens of Moroccan families who had arrived by bus from Playa del Inglés, El Tablero, and Arguineguín. The gathering wasn't just institutional: it was also emotional. For many, this July 30th was not just another anniversary, but a symbolic bridge between the Morocco they left and the archipelago where they put down roots.
In a hall decorated with handcrafted rugs, ornamental date palms, and portraits of the monarch, the consul's ceremonial speeches, patriotic songs, and a carefully curated musical display featuring oud and darbouka resonated. Traditional sweets—chebakia, briwats, dates, and mint tea served on carved trays—also rounded out the evening with Maghrebi hospitality.
A political gesture, quiet but with purpose: it reflects the growing importance of southern Gran Canaria as a new demographic and economic hub for Moroccan migration to the Canary Islands. According to diplomatic sources, more than 60% of the Moroccan population registered in the province now resides in southern Gran Canaria, and their role in key sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and construction is as visible as it is underestimated.
Throne Day was also a demonstration of social diplomacy. Councilors, representatives of unions, neighborhood associations, and tourism entrepreneurs attended. Morocco has not lost sight of the fact that its citizens, even those abroad, are a geopolitical and cultural asset. This is also recognized by Canarian leaders, who understand that the future of coexistence depends on recognizing the plurality of an increasingly diverse island.
The Canary Islands and Morocco are often still separated by political tensions, fishing disputes, or debates over territorial waters. But on days like this, what emerges is a different narrative: one of community, of mutual respect, of the Atlantic as a bond, not a border.
