touzani's parents came from the rif in morocco. they came to belgium in 1964 during a migration wave. when touzani was 8 years old, he and his parents took part in a demonstration against racism, which had a deep and lasting impact on him. he began to develop a strong interest in protest, political ideologies, forms of government and human rights. in this formative period, the belgian-moroccan dissident mohammed el baroudi had an important influence on the evolution of his ideas. he chose democracy and dialogue over violent resistance and authoritarianism.