Aomar Boum elected to the National Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco

On April 24, 2025, Aomar Boum was inducted into the National Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco. It was a moment that brought together so many parts of his life, connecting his early years in Morocco to his years of scholarship and community building abroad. It was a proud and emotional moment for all of us in attendance — his family, friends, and colleagues — who have witnessed his dedication and impact over the years. True to form, Aomar began his remarks by thanking the mentors, colleagues, friends, and family members who had guided and supported him throughout his scholarly and personal growth.

Born in Foum Zguid, in Tata province, Boum’s early experiences in a Saharan Amazigh community shaped the way he approaches history, identity, and belonging. Today, he is the Maurice Amado Chair in Sephardic Studies at UCLA, with appointments in Anthropology, History, and Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. His research has centered on the complexities of religious and ethnic minorities in North Africa, and his work has challenged and broadened the narratives about Jewish-Muslim relations across the Middle East and North Africa.

At the induction ceremony, Boum delivered a lecture that captured the spirit of his scholarship: “Salham, Jeans, and Kaftan: Sartorial and Fashion Narratives of Moroccan Jewish Immigrants in North America.” In this talk, he explored how the Moroccan Jewish community in Los Angeles integrated into the larger LA community through global fashion trends, positioning themselves not on the margins but as notable contributors to the city’s economy. Boum introduced the concept of “sartorial syncretism” to describe how Moroccan Jewish immigrants negotiated and reshaped cultural identities through fashion, using the marketplace and style as vehicles for integration, entrepreneurship, and cultural impact. It was an eye-opening and textured portrait of migration, identity, and economic creativity, areas where Aomar’s work continues to open new conversations.

The ceremony was made even more meaningful by the presence of UCLA Social Sciences Division Dean Abel Valenzuela, who traveled to Morocco to honor Boum’s achievements. Dean Valenzuela’s attendance reflected not only the respect Aomar commands at UCLA but also the broader recognition of the importance of engaged, interdisciplinary scholarship that crosses borders and connects communities.

Aomar Boum’s election to the National Academy affirms the significance of his work and the reach of his scholarship. It is also a proud moment for anthropology, especially among his colleagues in the Department of Anthropology at UCLA, who have long recognized the depth and impact of his contributions. His work reminds us how histories of migration, belonging, and creativity can reshape how we understand our shared worlds

To read more about Professor Aomar Boum’s induction, click here.