Jamila Afelom, speaking about her daughter Fatin Ben Homar Azizi, recounted how she identified her daughter’s body in a hospital by a necklace she had given her before she departed. Fatin had attempted to reach the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by swimming from Morocco and was later found by her mother after people had witnessed her body being recovered from the sea.
Afelom described Fatin as bold, determined, and somewhat tomboyish, highlighting her love for soccer. Fatin, a 26-year-old, was deeply passionate about the sport and had trained with Coach Adel El Kaab of Moghreb Athletic Tétouan for several years before joining another club, Moghreb Atletico Tanger.
Despite El Kaab’s efforts to caution his players about the risks of irregular migration routes, many young women, including Fatin, still pursued the journey to Europe for a better future. Fatin’s family, living in challenging economic conditions, joined the search for her after she tragically lost her life during the attempt to reach Ceuta.
The tragic incident shed light on the harsh realities faced by many young Moroccans seeking opportunities abroad due to high youth unemployment rates in the country. Fatin’s family mourns her loss while grappling with the uncertainty and hardships faced by the surviving children who made it to Ceuta.
As Fatin’s brother, Jawad, revealed that her sister Amira had returned home, Afelom shared her daughter’s aspiration to lift her family out of poverty, a dream that remains unfulfilled. The family continues to grieve Fatin’s untimely death and the challenges confronting the children who embarked on the perilous journey to Ceuta.
The Moroccan human rights organization AMDH reported numerous deaths among migrants attempting to reach Ceuta, emphasizing the need for proper identification and dignified burials for the victims. Fatin was laid to rest in the cemetery where she and her mother had worked together, marking a poignant end to her aspirations for a better life.