In 1911, the population of Ahfir was 316 residents:

 

91 Moroccans

 

112 French

 

68 Spaniards

 

45 Jews

 

Thus, before the official establishment of the French Protectorate, Jews made up 15% of Ahfir’s population, one of the highest proportions in Morocco.

For comparison:

 

In Oujda, they represented less than 1% (50 out of 6,829).

 

In Berkane, around 3% (14 out of 368).

 

By 1923, Ahfir’s population had reached 1,100 inhabitants, including 474 Europeans.

 

Institutions and Businesses

School: the only school (now Abou Al-Alaa) was run by Véron.

 

Bakeries: Tourel – Roca – Ricard

 

Cafés: Roussel – Arrighi – Bouhana

 

Shops: Bensoussan – Bendanon – Cohen – Chaqroun – Navarro – Miray – Bonnoir

 

Farms / Agricultural estates: Tifino – Cofrito – Navarro – Boutan – Pezzini – Compit – Pérez – Cros – Tebar – Miray – Boukhris – Murcia – Bex – Nant – Véron

 

In 1950, the population reached 5,000 inhabitants, including Algerians (more than 1,000), French, Spaniards, Poles, Moroccans, Muslims, and Jews.

 

Despite this diversity, the town was managed by only six gendarmes, and life remained peaceful and secure…

Until one morning in 1953, when the bodies of two Frenchmen were found murdered, an event that deeply shook the region.

 

By Mohamed Rajji

2008

 

The original text posted by the member on ahfir.com is in Arabic. This version is a translation into the current language. You can view the original article in the Arabic section by clicking the corresponding flag in the top bar of the website.