The first episode of “Between the Lines” podcast deals with the more historical and deeply rooted discussion of the Flags of Morocco (French: Drapeaux du Maroc) by Nabil Mouline. Mouline animates the conversation by explaining how the flag works, mirroring evolution in Morocco. Carrying within the many folds of history, to hold layers of historical shifts and socio-political connotations. Beginning from the time of the white flag, representing victory and legitimate rule of the Almohads in the 12th century to periods of its evolution and metamorphosis, the chronology of significant events will range from a rise of Sufi mysticism in the 17th century, with green as a color showing communion with divinity, spiritual guidance, and leadership. The Alawite dynasty, which could not adopt green as exclusively theirs, chose the red flag from its maritime past and also burgeoning dynastic identity as a pretty pragmatic choice. This same red flag, across several centuries, was slowly moving from a symbol of dynastic authority toward the unifying emblem of statehood.
Mouline thus shows how this piece of cloth turned into an intensive symbol of resistance during colonial times and became connected to national identity. The red flag with the pentagram on it became the rallying point, since the beginning of the 20th century, for Moroccan nationalists—a symbol of defiance against colonial rule and exponent of sovereignty. When he adopted it in 1947, Sultan Mohammed V solidified it with his status as a nationally symbolic fight for independence and unity. This discussion reveals how the flag’s historical journey epitomizes Morocco’s resilience and adaptability, transforming a simple piece of fabric into a profound emblem of collective memory, identity, and aspiration. From this perspective, Mouline stresses the continuous dialectics between history, symbolism, and nationhood.
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