Paterson erupts in celebration as Morocco bests Spain in World Cup match
South Paterson erupted into celebrations, cheers and a spontaneous car parade Tuesday as Morocco’s underdog soccer team pulled off a tremendous upset, knocking Spain out of the World Cup in a penalty showdown.
The joyous celebration began at a packed watch party at Abu Rass Restaurant, where people were glued to the game until the final seconds, when they hugged, sang and waved flags before pouring into the streets.
“I’m so overwhelmed with happiness,” said Saad Benbrahem, a college student from Morocco, who waved his country’s red and green flag on Main Street. “I can’t speak right now. It’s just — it’s one of the best days of my life. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been waiting 22 years to witness a Morocco victory in the World Cup and to feel something like this.”
The celebration in Paterson’s large Arab community echoed what was happening around the world as Arab countries rallied with spirit and fervor for the last standing team from the Middle East and North Africa region.
In Paterson, people of different Arab ethnicities joined in celebration, honking their horns in a long line of cars and cheering out their windows.
Zohair Chabaki, a Paterson resident originally from Morocco, was thrilled over the support and show of unity. “We have to stand together,” he said. “We are all Arab. We are the same.”
By the end of the game, he had cheered so loudly he was losing his voice, he said.
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The celebration started in the morning with the watch party at Abu Rass, a Palestinian restaurant in the city’s Middle Eastern shopping and dining district. The soccer fans enjoyed traditional breakfast foods like lebnah, a thick tangy yogurt, and baked bread with za’atar and olive oil.
At the restaurant and on the street, fans waved flags for both Morocco and Palestine. A similar show of support for Palestine has also been on display at the World Cup in the stadiums and on the streets, where people have waved flags and chanted for a Free Palestine.
On Main Street, Omar Qasem of Clifton wore a Moroccan flag draped across his front and the Palestinian flag across his back. “I’m Palestinian, but Morocco is deep in my blood,” said Qasem. “I love my Moroccans. They got our support from day one.”
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh and Councilman Alaa “Al” Abdelaziz, who are both Arab American, sponsored the watch party along with MAROC, the Moroccan American Recreational Organization Council, based in Teaneck.
Organizers were already talking about a second watch party for the next match on Saturday.
But on Tuesday, many fans were still savoring the moment. Some, like Atika Belboukhari of Jersey City, were planning more celebrations.
“We’re going to celebrate the win in Times Square,” Belboukhari said. “I’m very happy.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ celebrates as Morocco bests Spain in World Cup
