Moderated by Moroccan journalist Souhila Rikki, with translation by Mustapha Aarab, the event was more than a simple book launch, it was a homage to the resilience, identity, and dreams of Moroccans living abroad.

El Mouden, who left Morocco for the Netherlands at the age of 17, shared her personal and emotional testimony. “ I was just 8 years old and I was already dreaming of emigrating,” she said. Coming from a family where her father was relatively liberal but her mother conservative and protective, Rahma described the gender inequalities she faced growing up in Morocco: “My brother always had more freedom than I did. We were always fighting.”

Upon arriving in the Netherlands, however, she was surprised to find families there sometimes more conservative than those back home. Her mother, a fan of legendary singer Oum Kalthoum, shaped Rahma’s early cultural consciousness. “When I saw Oum Kalthoum on TV, her charisma, her voice, the scarf, the glasses, I was in awe.”

Now, Rahma El Mouden shared her dreams for the years ahead: publishing her next book in 2026, learning the Qur'an, and returning to university. A successful entrepreneur and award-winning figure in her field, she attributes her professional growth largely to the support of men. “Throughout my career, it was men who helped me. Women, not so much. Men are more direct,” she stated.

Despite this, she is passionate about keeping her business in female hands. “We are now preparing my granddaughter to become a future businesswoman,” she revealed with pride. El Mouden’s story, marked by courage, migration, and an unbreakable spirit, captivated the audience, a powerful reminder of the enduring dreams and resilience of Moroccan women abroad.