The ISA JournalMy Congolese Catholic Neighbors in Morocco

Before coming to study in Morocco, I was nervous about my living situation. I had only one roommate for the past four years, so moving in with a new family whose language I barely spoke was a big jump.

So far, it has been incredible. I love coming home to Madame Saidia’s delicious meals every day after classes. There is always a lively rotation of her friends and family who stop by, as well, and I enjoy getting to hear their stories. It is never a dull day in the Saidia house.

I am awoken one Sunday morning by what sounds like a heavenly chorus. After I verify that the camel burger from last night didn’t take me, I investigate. The choir continues to serenade me as I levitate out of bed to be greeted by a small congregation singing French hymns.

I timidly ask the choir director if I can sit in the corner and observe, and she kindly obliges. I sit there completely awestruck as the joyful noise reverberates through a space no bigger than my bedroom upstairs. After they break, the teenage boys start to tease their female counterparts. A couple tends to their baby in a stroller as she lights up the room with her cuteness. She is a star in the making.

Angela, who leads the choir with grace and a vision, gave me the privilege of interviewing her for this article. Unfortunately, I came to Morocco to study Arabic and realized that she spoke mostly French. But as they say, where there is a will, there is a way. Brought to you by Google Translate and WhatsApp, here are the transcripts.

ME: Can you explain who your group is?

ANGELA: Our choir is called Notre Dame des Oliviers. We are Catholic, and we entertain the masses with our songs. We sing several foreign languages but mainly in French. Our role is a lively mass every Sunday and sometimes we organize concerts. For example, at Christmas, we do a concert.

ME: And is everyone from the Congo?

ANGELA: No, no, there are several nationalities from Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Senegal.

ME: Wow, that’s incredible. How did you all find each other?

ANGELA: We had seniors from our communities show us the location of the church.

ME: So there are Sub-Saharan immigrant communities in Meknes? That is very interesting.

ANGELA: There are people who have been here longer than us, and they help the newcomers.

ME: Where are you from and why did you come to Meknes?

ANGELA: I am from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Meknes for my studies. I am in my first year of my master’s degree.

ME: What are you studying and what do you hope for the future?

ANGELA: I study economics and I am in the financial strategy management sector. At the end of my studies, I would like to look for a job in Morocco and, if I do not find one, I plan to travel elsewhere.

ME: Congratulations! I wish you the best in your aspirations. Why did you choose Morocco?

ANGELA: Thank you so much. I had a brother who was already here and he was studying at the facility. He spoke about Morocco to my parents, we talked, and I said why not? If I come and you come here, it could be something good.

ME: Why do you think the other immigrants chose Morocco over other countries?

ANGELA: Well, I think some chose Morocco because it is the only country in North Africa that welcomes us.

ME: Really? How do they welcome you compared to other countries?

ANGELA: For example, [in Morocco] we are not prohibited from walking in certain places or prohibited from practicing a religion which is different from their religion. They authorize us to study in their universities and have healthcare in the hospitals.

ME: Are you still facing challenges as a Congolese immigrant in Morocco?

ANGELA: Yes, in terms of obtaining permanent residence because I am a foreigner.

ME: What is your favorite thing about being in this choir?

ANGELA: The choir allowed me to have a place other than the school where I can study and meet people who allowed me to forget that I am no longer at home. When I am with them, I feel joyful as if I were in my country with my brothers. They have become my brothers and sisters here in Morocco.

A few weeks after our interview, I had the opportunity to attend a Sunday service. It was mostly in French, so I really had no clue what was happening, but there was a sense of warmth and community that surpassed any language barrier. There came a part of the service where the priest asked all of the new attendees to introduce themselves. After the sweet old lady next to me gave her short speech, my turn had come.

I stood up from the pew and delivered a sermon of my own. Once I finished, the congregation gave me a welcoming applause despite having not understood a word of what I said. At the end of the service, some of the church members came up to me and were excited to practice the little English that they knew. “Chicago. California!” one man said to me. And I replied the only way I knew how: “California, Chicago, my friend.”

Living in this building represents something incredibly special to me. I have roommates from all over the United States, staying with a Moroccan family, backed by a choir of Sub-Saharan immigrants. It is a privilege to be at the heart of such a unique cultural crossroads—especially with such an excellent soundtrack.

Tolu O’jori is a student at Texas A&M University and an ISA Featured DEI Blogger. He is studying with ISA in Meknes, Morocco.