Moro, strictly translated as 'moor' is a highly
problematic term for the student of Spain and the Spanish language.
One the one hand it is the only way to refer to all of the various
Islamic groups that ruled over a large part of the Iberian peninsula
from the eighth to the fiffteenth century. On the other it is, in
modern usage, an insulting term used not just for the inhabitants of
the North African areas where the original moors came from, but by
extension for all North Africans, Arabs and even at times for Muslims
in general.
Some people, both native and non-native Spanish speakers are unaware
of its historical meaning. As such, its use may cause offense, or be
interpreted as demonstrating a racist point of view, even when referring
to the historical culture. The accepted modern alternative is magrebí as a general term for North Africans.