Amid the cultural energy of Moroccan festivals, one moment stood out with rare emotional depth: the encounter with Paul El Arabi Maamri, the young Moroccan-French figure with Down syndrome whose journey has become a universal lesson in resilience, creativity, and inclusion. A quiet presence — yet one that radiates strength and artistic brilliance.
A journey that defies every boundary
At just 24, Paul has rewritten the rules:
– the first person with Down syndrome to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Morocco’s renowned ISIC – Higher Institute of Information and Communication;
– one of the few globally who conduct high-level interviews with major public figures;
– and a rising symbol of media inclusion in the Arab world and beyond.
As he stated in several interviews, “The real problem is never the disability — it is the lack of integration and equal opportunity.”
Morocco as the stage for an extraordinary success
Paul’s story is not merely personal triumph. It reflects a Morocco in transformation, rethinking inclusion and giving real visibility to people with disabilities within cultural and artistic spaces.
ISIC played a decisive role, opening its doors and offering Paul not simply a place to study, but a platform to become a voice in one of the most influential professions of our era.
His graduation documentary — exploring the representation of people with disabilities in the media — was praised by national and international figures, marking him as an emerging creative and human voice.
A voice amplified by UNICEF and international engagement
Selected by UNICEF as a youth advocate, Paul today stands as an ambassador of courage and dignity. He speaks five languages, runs his own channel, and has interviewed global personalities including Gianni Infantino, Emmanuel Macron, and Nasser Al-Khelaifi.
At the festival where you met him, Paul was more than a guest:
he was a moment of collective inspiration, a reminder that talent is not defined by chromosomes, and that courage can turn every barrier into art.
A message that transcends the event
Paul embodies a powerful and modern narrative:
– reimagining the place of youth in journalism,
– bringing an artistic and human lens to inclusion,
– showcasing Morocco as a stage for globally resonant human stories.
Meeting Paul was witnessing a Morocco capable of transforming challenges into artistic narratives — a Morocco that gives the microphone to those who were never expected to hold it.
