Human rights groups in Morocco claim an intensification of police aggression against sub-Saharan migrants after Congolese national dies in police raid and Ivorian girl accuses security forces of rape.

According to various Moroccan and Spanish news outlets, two horrific events occurred in Morocco this past week. The event was also attested to by Marcel Amiyoto, a Congolese refugee and well-known activist for migrants and refugees in Morocco.

According to testimonies, a Congolese national named Toussaint-Alex Mianzoukouta, who worked as a French teacher in a private school in Rabat, was on his way to visit friends in the Boucalef district of Tangier. He was caught up in a police raid in this area and arrested, along with many other migrants of sub-Saharan origin. He was arrested despite his legal documentation for residency in Morocco. He had his residency permit (A045872F) and his receipt for renewing it, rendering him perfectly in line with the law. He was not allegedly allowed to show his documents and was loaded into a small van with others.

The destination was a desert area near the border city of Oujda, as is so often the case when Moroccan police systematically round up sub-Saharan migrants based on their skin color and with little regard for their legal status.

According to Afrikonline sources who were witnesses of this scene, a dispute broke out in the van, and Mr. Mianzoukouta was “pushed out of the van by a Moroccan policeman.” He was then transferred to Mohammed V hospital in Tangier, but he died six days later on July 30, 2013.

He is survived by a wife and two children living in France. The police account contradicts that of the other migrants who were present. The security forces claimed that the Congolese national was in a bad state of health because he had been beaten up by a group of thugs.

Lakome is also reporting that a sixteen year old Ivorian girl named Tina Melon has accused four policeman of harassing and raping her in a forest near Tangier, on August 1. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights and Chabaka, a local NGO that defends migrants rights in Tangier, have issued press releases about the event and are supporting her legal claims. Such a revolting display of exploitation has been testified numerous times in the last decade by International groups such as Doctors without Borders, as well as a host of Moroccan civil society groups.

Police aggression and racial profiling of sub-Saharan migrants has been especially well documented by the Antiracist group for the support and defense of foreigners in Morocco (GADEM). GADEM is the only non-governmental organization in Morocco that specializes in the human rights of foreigners in the Kingdom. They assert that this systematic violence at the hands of Moroccan security forces has increased throughout Morocco, especially in border areas in the Northern region. This includes cities such as Tangier and Nador, which is located near the Spanish enclave of Melilla. Such violence, they argue, violates Morocco’s international legal commitments, its own domestic law, and basic principles of humanity and justice.

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By Omar Bihmidine

Morocco World News

Tangier, August 8, 2013

“The Couple”, a Moroccan comedy series, has been enjoying wide viewership despite the fact that Moroccans have already evinced their dissatisfaction with the quality of programs broadcast by national channels in Ramadan. Episodes of this comedy series quickly appear on Facebook and YouTube and a number of Moroccans begin to share and watch them widely.

According to YouTube, the number of views of each episode reaches more than 500,000. This comic series, which lasts no more than three minutes, has gained remarkable viewing, particularly because it deals with the everyday life stories of an old couple that incessantly argues over mundane things. Many Moroccan spectators consider “The Couple” to be an unprecedentedly hilarious and funny series, especially after recent disappointment in Moroccan comedy.

The roles are played by distinguished comedians Hassan Alfd and Dunia Boutazot, In the presence of 'shoddy' comedy series, " The Couple" has finally relieved some Moroccans by the moral lessons and real life stories the funny series is attempting to impart.

"This is the first time I have been amused by a Moroccan comedy series. It is so funny, " several Moroccan viewers told MWN.

"The whole family can't help bursting into laughter while watching it," a Moroccan father told MWN.

"Not only does this comedy series make us laugh, but it also teaches us a lot about the rural life and our traditional couples who are always nagging each other," Laila Salmi, a Moroccan student, told MWN.

In this regard, some Facebook users told MWN, "Several million Moroccans are at last satisfied with a comedy series. Frankly, it has lived to our expectations; our channels must do their best to broadcast series of this kind," "Can't you see the large number of likes and views "The Couple" receives every day," they added.

According to 2M channel, "The Couple" has reached 7,210,000 views so far through TV. In an interview with Al Arabiya news website, Hassan Alfd said: "The secret to the success of "The Couple" lies in honesty in performance, genuine role playing, and acting without frills."

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By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World News

Casablanca, August 9, 2013

In a recent statement he sent to the MAP, the Spanish ambassador to Rabat, Mr. Alberto Navarro, dismissed a piece of news published earlier this by various news outlets, which claimed that Mr. Fouad Ali El Hima had held a phone conversation with Mr. Navarro at the behest of King Mohammed VI concerning Daniel Galvan and other Spanish convicts. “There was no such a thing as a phone call with the royal adviser, Mr. Fouad Ali El Hima,” stated Mr. Navarro.

The Spanish ambassador to Rabat also affirmed that “the Spanish Embassy sustains its phone calls at the level of all administrative administration in Morocco, particularly when it is comes to improving and facilitating judicial and security collaboration,” he added. Mr. Navarro also highlighted the efficiency of the Moroccan-Spanish complementary efforts invested in Daniel Galvan’s controversial affair, and emphasized how this collaboration resulted in the arrest of the pedophile criminal 4 days after he was granted royal pardon.

“Daniel Galvan was arrested last Monday in Spanish city Murcia, a few minutes after Spanish authorities received via Interpol an arrest warrant issued by the court of Kenitra,” explained the Spanish Ambassador. “This only reflects the efficiency of Moroccan-Spanish collaborative efforts in the judicial and criminal fields. Since his arrest, Daniel Galvan now remains at Soto Del Real prison, and I think that this is what all Moroccan and Spanish were hoping for,” added Mr. Navarro.

News outlet Lakome was be the first website to have published the controversial news claiming that Fouad Ali El Hima was the man behind the royal pardon. Lakome supported its claim stating that Ali El Hima called Spanish Ambassador last July 22, two days after the Spanish King’s visit to Morocco, to disapprove of the fact that the Spanish monarch asked the Head of the government Mr. Benkirane to grant royal pardon to one of the Spanish convicts instead of addressing his request to King Mohammed VI.

According to the same source, El Hima asked Spanish ambassador to send the files of the Spanish convicts expected to be accorded royal amnesty to the royal cabinet rather than to the Head of the government. Lakome explained that this is the reason why the Spanish ministry of exterior sent the files of numerous Spanish prisoners to the royal cabinet- including that of the pedophile criminal Daniel Galvan, requesting that they be accorded royal amnesty or extradited to Spain to finish the remainder of their prison sentences there.

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By Nadia Elboubkri

Morocco World News

Washington DC, August 9, 2013

A recent article in Al-Monitor raised the issue of civil society identity as a major factor in the calls for change in Arab societies. Though the economy, governance, and security play large roles in shaping society, culture and tradition are most tangible at the societal level. As the article indicates, while Egypt may be the most publicized case of an identity crisis (i.e. what does it mean to be an Egyptian today) in the wake of the Arab Uprisings, this phenomenon is no less true in countries like Bahrain where the Shia majority feel marginalized, in Yemen where large parts of the population push for greater autonomy, or in Syria, where the sectarian fault lines are being exploited on all sides. And we could easily add Libya, Tunisia, and others where the questions of “Who I am?” and “What do I stand for?” are no less critical.    

So in looking at Morocco, the question is: what will happen to the Moroccan identity defined by the 2011 constitution as multicultural and multiethnic.

Part of the answer lies in the structure of society. Morocco boasts a vibrant civil society—citizens are actively engaged in a reciprocal dialogue with the state. When citizens voice demands, the government does its best to respond. However, there is not a single “Moroccan voice.” The kingdom has very distinct traditions, and public life has historically been molded and shaped by these traditions. Despite the fact that the Moroccan identity is developing into a more dynamic and inclusive entity, there is still hesitancy among some members of society to relinquish its roots. Therefore, it is not illogical to ask if the Moroccan identity will change as major reforms go forward.

With the ever widening public space in Morocco, more and more marginalized groups are entering the traditionally male-dominated public space. This is, in part, due to the new constitution legally opening the public arena to make it accessible to more diverse groups, and it is also due to the fact that a more progressive trend in society has been inching its way into the public sphere for quite some time now.  Women’s rights organizations began emerging in the 1990s to combat discrimination and raise awareness about domestic violence. They gained the spotlight with unprecedented reform to the Family Code in 2004, and since then have forged the path to progress in Morocco, culminating in the 2011 constitutional reforms which afforded women full political, economical, social, civil, cultural, ad environmental rights within the comprehensive definition of human rights.

Similarly, the Moroccan youth movement has emerged from the shadows of their elders in a traditionally hierarchical society to assert themselves as fair representatives of Moroccan society and the future generation of Moroccan political life. Youth integration has become a key strategic priority of the government’s development plans because of the distinct ‘youth culture’ in Morocco that is marked by innovation, creativity, and greater openness. However, traditionalists, some speaking from religious backgrounds and others speaking on behalf of the older generations, are challenging the new status quo that is emerging in Moroccan society, and now state decision-makers are tasked with finding the balance between the evolving Moroccan identity while retaining those cultural features that reflect the core values of the country.  

With a more diverse body of state actors, now that local and national elections are engaging with a more diverse demographic of candidates and voter participation is increasing, future decision-making will inevitably reflect these changes. How will the traditional and the ‘new’ civil society react and adapt?  There is marginal resistance to the recent reforms in Morocco, primarily from the conservative factions seeking to politicize religion, and, ultimately society.  The potential for restrictive cultural policies, as were passed in Egypt, affect not only laws but societal customs such as perceptions of gender norms, education, access to media, the internet, and press, as well as art and literature, among others. In Morocco, any regressive policies could become obstacles to the progress that state and society have collaboratively made.

The reality of change is that it does not occur instantly. Laws may change, new ideas and new social norms may surface in public life, but not everyone will accept them right away. In the short term, it is unrealistic to assume that since the constitution created a legal framework for reform and progress that all of society will automatically jump on board. Despite the King’s pronouncements and the vitality of progressive voices, there will be backlash from those who have permanently dwelled in ‘traditional Morocco’ and who feel threatened—culturally, economically, and politically—by the introduction of new actors into Moroccan public life. Over time, however, it is hopeful that as reforms become norms and the status quo reflects the major changes made by the 2011 constitution, the emerging Moroccan identity will trickle down the various tiers of society, and eventually the ‘new Moroccan identity’ will be the Moroccan identity.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Morocco World News’ editorial policy

By Omar Bihmidine

Morocco World News

Tangier, August 9, 2013

Following the widespread outrage sparked by the royal pardon of the Spanish pedophile Daniel Galvan, the subsequent of King Mohammed VI to revoke this controversial pardon, a group of Moroccans called on Facebook for a march, intended to be a token of gratitude to the King.

Under the slogan "Thank you, our beloved King Mohamed VI", the steps to be taken behind the initiative are: taking to the street in Rabat city center, expressing sincere gratitude to the king for responding to Moroccans' calls to arrest the Spanish pedophile, and raising flags of Morocco and photos of the king.

According to the organizers of the march, one of the main motives is to "thank king Mohamed VI for lending ears to the Moroccan masses and approving their calls". As stated on the page, the march will take place on Nacer street (Avenue de la Victoire) at 11:00 a.m. on August 18.

"The march has come in response to the criticism leveled against king Mohamed VI upon releasing the Spanish pedophile by mistake," Said Errachdi added.

"The 'march' goers' aims are to prove to Moroccans that the king is not to blame and to convince the public opinion that Morocco enjoys stability, thanks to the monarchy," Errachdi added.

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By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World News

Casablanca, Augsut 9, 2013

A saddening picture of a young Moroccan girl named Imane has recently shaken the hearts of many people on the net. The young girl was absorbed in long coma after a car accident that took place shortly after she had relocated from Orlando to Boca Raton (Florida), where she pursues her studies.

Thanks to her unprecedented perseverance, the young Imane heroically survived the tragic car accident. She is now combating the impossible to stand back on her feet and resume her life and dreams where she left them off. For that, the “non-insured” Imane needs a special sort of medical care in a rehab facility, a necessity too financially demanding for her family, given the toughness of the insurance system in the U.S.  

After leaving the hospital where she spent a quality time after the accident, Imane and her mother are now staying in a hotel until they find a rehab facility that would accept to take care of Imane, a young Moroccan girl under the mercy of an uncompromising corporate insurance system.

"We, Moroccans in south Florida, are appealing to you to help us publish the story of this poor girl and her mother who don't have a place where to go and need extensive care. Please help us in this cause," Tarik El Bahmi, a member of the Moroccan community in Florida, told MWN in an email

Fortunately, Imane is not alone now. The Moroccan community in the United States, especially in Florida, launched an online fundraising campaign in solidarity with Imane, with an ambitious goal of $35.000. This target now seems now increasingly within reach, as more and more thoughtful and generous people continue to donate money and love to help Imane get the care she needs.

 In a short period of time, the fundraising page attained $15.220, and the fundraisers are very grateful:

“Words can't express how proud and grateful I am to see the solidarity that most of us have shown to help in this matter,” read thankful note on the fundraising page, “We have achieved 10% of our targeted goal and I am confident that we will exceed it. We are Imane's only hope, let's not let her down! A small action can make a huge impact, please take part of it,” Tarik EL Bahmi posted on a page created to raise money for Imane.

While generous donations and heartfelt prayers continue to fill the fundraising page, Imane’s steps towards getting the care she needs to get back into shape are a few steps away.

To reach this goal, the Moroccan community in Florida calls on all Moroccans and generous people from other nationalities to donate as much as they can to help Imane regain a glimmer of hope of having a normal a normal life.

One thing is certain, Imane will be immeasurably grateful to all those who have invested their money, prayers and wishes to help drawing back a smile on her face.

“The situation is a bit complicated, but Imane is eager to get up and walk to all of who contributed somehow and helped in making what seemed to be impossible at first comes true. God bless you all,” Tarik added.  

To donate to help Imane, click here.

By Larbi Arbaoui

Morocco World News

Taroudant, August 10, 2013

In a newsflash aired earlier on Saturday, Sky News Arabic channel reported that 16 members of the Moroccan Royal Guard died this morning in northern Morocco, while 35 others were injured. The tragic accident, which left other 42 people wounded, took place in Echaouen province when the Royal Guard unit was on the road from Al Hoceima to Tetouan to prepare for King Mohammed VI's visit.

It is noteworthy that the link between the coastal strip of Tetouan and Al Hoceima is risky because of the mountainous nature of the region. The road accidents caused by military and security forces are not very common in Morocco.

In parliamentary session last March, Morocco’s head of government, Abdelilah Benkirane, said that road accidents cost the state a heavy bill estimated at 14 billion dirhams ($ 1,7 Billion) per year, 2% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He added that Morocco occupies the first rank in the Arab world, and 6th rank worldwide in road accidents.

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By Omar Bihmidine

Morocco World News

Tangier, August 10, 2013

No sooner had FC Barcelona player Lionel Messi paid a visit to Israel in a bid to promote peace in Israel on July 31 than his Moroccan fans expressed their disappointment, writing insulting remarks about his visit via social media.

According to the daily newspaper Al Akhbar, Messi’s reputation in Morocco has suffered after a picture showing him before the Wailing Wall went viral on Facebook. Messi's picture, showing him tilting his head towards the Wailing Wall, has sparked controversy through social media, notably from Muslims in the Arab world.

As many Muslim fans of Messi have criticized him for "supporting Zionism and empathizing with Zionists," the FC Barcelona team tried to silence fans’ fury by visiting Palestinian Al Khalil city to denounce the presence of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.

"Lionel Messi is damaging his reputation in Morocco, especially now that he has visited and stood by the Wailing Wall in Israel" A Barcelona fan from Tangier told MWN.

"We are very fond of Messi. But, his visit to Israel implies that he is against the Palestinian cause" another fan said.

Lionel Messi's personal page has received critical remarks in the recent past, according to Al Akhbar. "FC Barcelona's policy is not innocent," one commenter remarked in response to Messi's photo.

According to FC Barcelona, the goals behind Messi's visit to Israel are to strengthen Israeli-Palestinian ties, to encourage peace, and to promote communication.

"Through education and sports, we will succeed in reaching these objectives sooner or later," Messi's teammates told Israel National News.

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Morocco World News

Washington DC, August 11, 2013

The phrase, “Women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights,” first coined by Hillary Rodham Clinton in 1995, has since been the overarching theme of the international collective of women scholars, leaders, and government officials working to advance women’s rights and gender equality across the globe.  Though steps have been made towards that end, beginning in 1979 with the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) by the United Nations with the goal of changing the global agenda concerning women to focus on political, social, and economic equality across the board, full equality remains elusive almost everywhere in the world. However, In light of recent mass protests, changes in government, and ongoing human rights issues in the MENA region, particularly as they relate to women, additional challenges have arisen for women’s rights activists worldwide.  A major issue of contention is that the policies and initiatives of the past may not necessarily apply to the challenges that women face in the present, or in the future. With a new generation of women’s rights activists and leaders emerging into the international scene, the main topic of discussion in the global discourse on women’s rights has become: what is the vision for the future?

CEDAW provided a solid base for the future generation of activists to leverage their cause and propel themselves forward, but there are a significant amount of obstacles and barriers that CEDAW does not have the capacity to overcome. Therefore, we need innovation in activism, education, and international law.  Though CEDAW has motivated major changes to the work force, education, health care, as well as marriage and inheritance in countries like Morocco and Tunisia, we see reluctant reforms or regressive reforms in other countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen. There is a lingering gap between perception and practice in implementing progressive reform due to lack of facilitation or monitoring on the part of state actors in some cases, or weak follow-up and minimal human or financial resources in other cases.  However, there is hope for the future of women in the MENA region with the emergence of a new generation of leaders, thinkers, and civil society actors, working with cooperation from the international community to educate women on the rights that are available to them so that they will demand them for themselves, rather than waiting for legal frameworks or societal norms to catch up with international standards as defined in CEDAW.

Obtaining women's rights and gender equality is a multi-dimensional, inclusive process that will not happen overnight. Change is both deliberate and unconscious -deliberate in the sense that reform must be implemented and reinforced by authorities such as the state and its institutions, and unconscious in the sense that overtime, education and awareness will change new practices into established norms.  In Morocco, for instance, we have seen a gradual, yet thriving reform process where women started as marginal non-state actors and today have become fundamental actors in the Moroccan public forum.

Since the ratification of CEDAW in 1993, Morocco has gradually made women's rights a crucial element in political, social, and economic activity. In 2004, King Mohammed VI introduced groundbreaking reform to the Family Code, giving women unprecedented rights within the family, greater protection within marriage and divorce, and criminalizing public and domestic violence.  Later, in 2008, King Mohammed VI publically banned discrimination against women and officially lifted all of Morocco's previous reservations on CEDAW, stating, "Our country has become an international actor of which the progress and daring initiatives in this matter are readily recognized."

This process was accelerated in 2011 when the mass protest February 20th Movement brought about the adoption of a new constitution in Morocco. This was a key moment for women to assert themselves into the debate on civil liberties, human rights, and equality.  A marginal success for the Moroccan women's movement, the new constitution reformed three major areas with the objective of increasing women's status in Morocco, and one major area with regard to the primacy of international law, including on women’s rights:

• Contrary to the initial constitution, which framed equality only within the context of political rights for women, the 2011 Constitution frames equality within the comprehensive definition of human rights, namely political, social, civil, economic, environmental, and cultural rights.

• The new Constitution clearly states that all forms of discrimination are prohibited, including, explicitly, gender-based discrimination as well as discrimination based on religion, creed, disability, age, and political beliefs.

• Article 19 of the new Constitution requires the state to establish an authority to make equality a reality and ensure the elimination of discrimination.

• The 2011 Constitution further defines the supremacy of international human rights conventions over national law in addressing matters of human rights in Morocco.

Though the past few years have reinforced King Mohammed VI's label of Morocco's "first feminist king", there are potential impediments to future reform from current government officials.  The only shadow to the unprecedented number of women elected to parliament (67 out of 395 seats due to an increased quota system) is that the sole female minister in the cabinet is not fully supportive of Morocco's new reforms.  Minister Bassima Hakkaoui is vocally in disagreement with the new increase in the quota system that enables women to hold office and has voiced reservations about CEDAW's article 16 (which grants parity to men and women in the family code), claiming it is in contention with Islam and Islamic law.

In Morocco, and across the MENA region, we are constantly reminded that achieving equality is a marathon, not a race, and that the efforts made by human rights activists, scholars, civil society, and the government are positive steps in the direction of achieving the ultimate goal of universality.  The gains that women have made in Morocco have set a standard for future reform not only for the future of Morocco, but its neighbors in North Africa and the Middle East.  Hopefully in the years to come, the spirit of cooperation between women, the government, and society will continue to encourage honest negotiation and democratic compromise on the path to reform.

Morocco World News

London, August 7, 2013

As I sat in my home in London in a cold and snowy day, booking my Arabic studies with the Moroccan Center for Arabic Studies combined with volunteering, little did I know that it would change my life completely after just a few days in Morocco.

We live a life that is so full of stress and materialism that one gets blind, not seeing that people have it bad. I got a wake up call after my month of intense volunteering in Rabat, Morocco.

Many countries are suffering from child poverty, unfortunately. However, Morocco is one of the major countries with severe child poverty where it is not unusual that women abandon their children because of social and economic difficulties. Many children are found and left in centers or orphanages. Many are left to beg to make it through the day, sleeping on the streets, in parks and other places where they can find a shelter away from people. Many are left for the unfortunate fate of death.

What struck me the most is that not all children that end up in centers and/or orphanages are up for adoption. Orphans are mostly encouraged to be adopted, where an orphan is defined as a child with deceased parents.

Abandoned children are taken care of in centers around the country and some times they could be placed around adults that might have mental disabilities and psychological and social issues. These children are not up for adoption, and are free to leave the center when they reach a specific age. All the time, until this age, the parents of the abandoned children can come back to "claim" them back. Until that day, if it ever comes, the children wait and wait. Some times and I dare to say most of the times, in vain.

For the children of Morocco not to be neglected, somethings need to change. For example, anyone needs to be able to adopt, and not only orphans.  A couple should take the responsibility of what they have done without protection. If they cannot, their guardianship rights of the child should be taken away, and these children should be allowed a second chance of having a home and parents who can provide for them what all children need. A home, love and support.

Moroccan law states that only Muslim couples or single women are allowed to adopt. They should also preferably be Moroccan, not have any criminal records and be mentally stable. If a couple or a woman is not Moroccan, she is not allowed to adopt a child, merely apply for a Kefala guardianship through court, to later adopt the child in their or her home country.

Casablanca and Rabat, where I spent an extensive amount of time, showed major signs of high child poverty, with many centers and orphanages in the cities. Children there wait in vain for their parents to come back to claim them. Or for other loving parents to adopt them and take them home. Usually no one ever comes. In these cities also, unfortunately, one can see many children that are begging on the street and many children in the parks sniffing glue, trying to forget the reality of life for some time, hoping and wishing for a better future.

I call for a change in the Moroccan law, allowing abandoned children to be adopted. By anyone that is fit to do so. Also, parents that are abandoning their children should also be withdrawn their parental rights of that child they are giving up. All to enable that child whose mother no longer wants, to secure a future with a loving mother or with loving parents, regardless of their religious backgrounds, ethnicity and/or social status.

The children are after all our future. Without saving these children from a frightening and depressing future, the vicious circle will only go on and these children will, once let out of these centers around Morocco, be angry at society that let them down. This is a scary way to start your adulthood. Both for themselves but also for a country's social and political status.

By Loubna Flah

Morocco World News

Casablanca, August 11, 2013

The High Commission for Planning (HCP) issued its latest report about unemployment in Morocco for the year 2013. The report reveals that the rate of unemployment has slightly increased in 2013.

According to the HCP report, there are more than 100 000 new job seekers in the job market. The unemployment rate reached 8, 8% compared to 8, 1% last year.

The HCP report reveals also that Moroccans aged between 15 and 24 are mostly affected by unemployment. For this category, unemployment soared from 17, 1% to 18, 4%.  For unemployed graduates, the rate of unemployment jumped from 3, 5% to 4, 3%.

The HCP report reveals also that the active population is estimated to 11,900,000 for the second semester of the current year. More than 165,000 positions were taken up during this period.

The job opportunities created in the period between April and June 2013 seem to have favored more the recruitment of male job seekers with more than 50% positions offered. More job opportunities were taken up by male job seekers in urban areas and female job seekers in rural areas.

The agriculture sector, forests, fishing and industry provided a large number of job opportunities in 2013. Agriculture remains the sector that has created more job opportunities with 136,00 positions, an increase by 3,2% compared to 2012.

Industry and traditional craftsmanship provided 37,000 job opportunities, an estimated increase by 3%.

The building sector employability dropped by 3,7% with 38,000 positions lost. According to the HCP report, more than 100,000 unemployed people joined the inactive population in the period between April and June 2013.

Overall, young Moroccans aged between 15 and 24 are mostly affected by unemployment with an increase by 2,4% followed by unemployed graduates.

The analysis of the major characteristics of the active population reveals that 83,2% of unemployed people live in urban areas, 67,9% are aged between 15 and 29 while 24,6% are postgraduates.

By Mohamed Chtatou

Morocco World News

Rabat, August 12, 2013

The lemon light

So restful

So calm

Drains colours

Of their vibrant hues

Creating superb muted shadows

Representing life

In its insistence

********

The lemon lights

Drip from the silver clouds

Like droplets of perfume

Creating more motion

On the quiet surface

Of the river.

The whole vista

Is sweetly enveloped

In some sort of mist

Time and again

********

 Generous smiles

So intense

And so expressing

So much kindness

And hospitality

They seem to say

With no words

Nothing endures

Everything is fleeting

And so ephemeral

Here these pure souls

Have no birth

No death

No worry

Just lemony love

Lemony robes

Lemony prayers

All paths lead

To this lemon festival.

********

The Mekong River

Majestically,

Timeless

And so proud

Flows endlessly

Creating life around

In its boundless beauty

And numerous worries.

Life is created

And made to unfold

In much love and drama

And the river goes on

Flowing and flowing.

********

Suddenly

The city comes to life

Resounding

With the interplay of gongs

Guardians of the protective spirits

This is the dry season

The river seems so peaceful

Even so slothful

It flows almost unseen

Like the blood through the veins

The banks are makeshift gardens.

In the opposite bank

A small village

********

The barking of stray dogs is impressive

Almost annoying

In so slumbersome atmosphere

Followed by a chanting

That draws the listener

Into the celebration 

Of life and its joys

********

Temple flowers

Release their scent

That spreads mystical peace

And inevitable slumber

By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World news

Casablanca, August 12, 2013

Moroccans are divided on the practice of bowing to the King during the annual allegiance ceremony. Those who approve of this practice mostly argue for the historical and patriotic dimensions of the act of bowing for the king. Those who reject the practice argue that bowing is a religious act solely restricted to God, or that it reflects a slave-master relationship. 

Adil Tchikitou, MP and member of the national council of Istiqlal Party, seems to echo the arguments of the latter group of Moroccans, who repulse the act of bowing during the allegiance ceremony.

“I did not attend the allegiance ceremony because I cannot stand seeing people bowing, which is a thing I can’t see myself doing,” posted on his Facebook page.

Tchikitou further explained that he could not attend the allegiance ceremony because he would not be able to voice out his opinion on the practice of bowing during the ceremony:

“Given the significant number of people who bow to the king during the ceremony, my attendance will look like an approval of the practice, which is not really my personal stance.”

As to whether his decision not to attend the ceremony was in coordination with the executive branch of his party, MP Tchikitou said “It is a personal stance, and no one has the right to interfere in it.”

MP Adil Tchikitou did not mind publically sharing his stance towards the practice of bowing to the King during the allegiance ceremony on his Facebook page. Reactions to his personal opinion on the practice varied between support and rejection.

I came back to Morocco about three months ago, after I spent a little over a decade in Canada, where I studied, worked, experienced life with its ups and downs, and learned. Coming back home was a relief, being with the parents, shielded again, enjoying the little things, like the sun, the feel of sand on my feet, and a little afternoon coffee with my grandmother.

I had many moments of dissatisfaction with many aspects of the Moroccan culture, some of which I had always been aware, and some that I got to see due to the reverse cultural shock. I wasn't happy with the legal system when trying to issue a new ID card, the way one has to literally suck up to a man or a woman at the municipality to get things done with the least back and forth possible, the coldness of the offices and treatment, as though one is waiting for welfare stamps. I wasn't happy with the rudeness of some taxi drivers when I didn't have change. I wasn't happy with the Moroccan TV programs; I found them to be denigrating to the viewer's intelligence, sense of humor, sense of decency, and like this wasn't enough, we are showered with very frequent TV ads, lasting a minute each, aired so frequently, to the point of making one memorize the ad song by heart. The list goes on.

But as I am a glass-half-full type of person, I chose to look at the bright side, to enjoy the Iftar meal with my family and go upstairs to watch National Geographic, or any other interesting foreign channel. I kept on finding ways to be happy about being back home, in little things like artisanal sandals, freshly made Moroccan pancakes, and the pristine beach waters. This image my optimistic mind chose to focus on was all shuttered two weeks ago. on July 24th at 10:35am,  I was coming back home from the bank, and as I was trying to open the house door, I felt someone touch me from the back. Annoyed, I turned asking the "person" not to touch me, as I assumed it was someone asking for charity, but as I turned, I realized he already placed a knife on the side of my stomach; he was wearing a helmet. I later discovered that he left  his motorcycle engine on, a few meters away from my door.

Everything slowed down for a second. It felt like those movies where they pause a scene, and  play a bunch of slow-motion shots, and possible scenarios assumably thought of by the victim.

In less than two seconds, before he decided to speak, I had 5 questions cross my mind, "is this my cousin? no my cousin doesn't have a motorcycle, is this the neighborhood watchman, no he wouldn't dare touch me, is this....?" He talked, and I realized it was a thief.

He threatened in the most disgusting language that he would cut me open if I moved, and repeated it 5 times even though I didn't resist, I handed my phone, he took my other phone, and pulled my handbag about 4 times until it tore up over my neck, and escaped.

I was tempted to fight for a second, to swiftly grab his wrist  and kick his crotch, but with a clickable knife on my stomach I figured it was too risky. I told him he could take everything and leave, and so he did.

I then pressed the intercom, screamed to mom that I just got mugged. She came out running. I could feel her own heart almost dropped. She frantically ran outside in the street but he'd already gone. I was pained to see her senselessly walk around, unarmed, yet trying to avenge me.

My mother then asked me to go upstairs put on a Jallaba (Moroccan traditional dress, with a hoodie) before we could go file a report at the police station. I was wearing loose pants, and a loose sweater and my nice leather handbag, that's now history, worn across my chest.

You may wonder why my mother asked me to wear a Jallaba over my clothes? Well, sadly in Morocco, when a woman goes to report a theft, rape or any attack, she often is judged herself,  assuming and expressing that her clothes or expensive looking belongings were her fault. And yes, that is exactly what happened the next day, as I went back to the police station to report having seen my iPhone with its case being sold on a local online website. I was wearing jeans, t-shirt, a cap, and Vibram fingershoes. One of the police officers told me not to wear clothes that give a sign that I came from Canada, and that I looked like a tourist, and the others agreed. I said thanks.

I was also told, by others that I shouldn't have walked home coming back from the bank that morning (although home is 5 minutes away from the bank), they told me "It's your fault, you should have taken a taxi." When I told my Canadian friend about it, he said, "That's awful, you shouldn't be scheming a plan to get out of the bank safely while going on your daily errands."  When one says it's your fault, after you got mugged, you feel rage for being wronged twice, once for being mugged by an evil person, and once for the lack of sympathy and taking the blame.

Another thing I learned from this experience is that the psychological trauma is not acknowledged by most people. It is belittled and considered a spoiled mentality. A lot of people told me I should be grateful I didn't get cut or stabbed. Yes I am grateful that I didn't get stabbed, but this shouldn't stop me from being worked up inside and dealing with the emotional shock. The judgement on me voicing my emotional and psychological trauma is even harsher because I came from Canada, and so anything I say is considered bragging and being picky.

One day, as I was trying on some clothes in a store, I discovered that the tank top had a defect, the store owner swapped it, and then he said don't worry that one is already sold as is! And then he added: "Moroccans are okay with that, you people coming from abroad are picky and like to wear perfect things!". I said "I'm Moroccan too, sir. And it is not OK to sell defective material to anybody, Moroccans locally or coming from abroad!". I wonder what he would have had to say about the defects if he didn't figure I had lived abroad (He did when he heard me say " tank top," and use words like "Okay").

Even a doctor who is supposed to be ethical more than most people, asked about my medical history and I told him it was in Canada, and then he said "now you're in Morocco, forget Canada!" Oh  wow.

It is just mind-boggling how much so many people love the last word, just want to be a philosopher, impose opinions that are based on bogus, and comment on everything.

Everyone tells me that the best way to "blend in" and avoid those who always have something to say, and want to have the last word, is to ignore what's said. Ignore the guy who annoys me on the street although I'm dressing very decently; ignore the taxi driver who bullied me after I refused to ride in the front; ignore the person who said it was my fault I got mugged. Basically, never speak up and I would be happy. But I can't wrap my mind around this. I am against the famous "Well, what can you do?" This silences everyone with ambition, or the intention to make a change.

After the unfortunate incident being mugged on the holy Ramadan, I started hearing theft stories left and right. Many of my relatives and friends have already been mugged. I figured that the ones who drive and minimize walking have less chances of being aggressed as there is nobody watching them, from a very long distance, while they're going on about their day, completely oblivious to being a prey.

A few weeks before I got mugged, I was trying to figure out a way to launch a service that women could call if they feel they're being followed by someone with evil intentions. I decided to do so the day I went for a 21k run (Btw- I am a long distance runner, I don't wear jogging colorful clothes, I wear dark clothes, a head cap and a cotton sweater with a hoodie over it- to give you a vivid picture) and ended up running 5k only after a bum noticed me and decided to run after me. Luckily, I ran much faster and sprinted, but he kept on running for no less than 3 minutes, and I stopped at a busy place, where he couldn't dare to touch me.

I then got informed and found out that there is no security service or police line to call in case of such incidents. It was possibly too much to expect but for over a decade, I knew I could call 911 even if I felt I was followed and talked to by a suspicious person. And I realized after asking people, and suggesting my idea to launch such service. Sadly, I didn't get any encouraging feedback, and was told that in Morocco, "You're on your own. Pray God to be safe before you step out of the house, don't wear expensive clothes, don't take out your expensive phone in public, don't put anything of big value in the handbag; as a matter of fact, wear two bags, one for the show and a smaller one inside the clothes, put money inside your bra,  and come home as early as possible (although that doesn't mean anything, as I myself got mugged at 10:35AM)." and the advice list goes on.

I don't want to make this piece too tedious for you to finish. But If you already made it here, I would like to conclude with an invitation to raise awareness on the lack of safety in Morocco. We need more police on the streets, and residential neighborhoods, and not just downtowns and the marinas where tourists can be safer.

I will start posting on Twitter under this hashtag #MakeMoroccoSafe. MWN takes this matter to heart and is willing to help the cause. And I will be beyond delighted to see you contribute, with advice, articles, or any help getting more security in our beautiful, yet dangerous country.

Nadia Elboubkri

Washington, D.C.

In light of the recent government scandals, Moroccan citizens are demanding a more direct and transparent dialogue with the government—Moroccans, in this instance, have chosen to air their grievances via mass protests and social media storms.

Last week, to celebrate the day of the Throne, King Mohammed VI pardoned 48 Spanish prisoners as a show of goodwill to his contemporary King Juan Carlos I of Spain. Among those pardoned was Daniel Galvan Vina, a convicted child rapist who was serving his sentence of 30 years in Morocco.  Rightfully angered, thousands of Moroccans took to the streets protesting the pardon itself, the growing sexual tourism industry living in the shadows of Moroccan society, child abuse, and, finally, the government and judiciary system that would allow such plagues to society to perpetuate. 

The state’s initial response to these protests was through suppression of the protests, and, in some cases, police violence. However, the government’s seeming lack of allegiance with the sentiments of the protesters only proved to spark further protests across the country and a stronger message for atonement on the side of the government.

Alongside the street demonstrations were social media campaigns across the globe siding with the Moroccan public.  Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other popular sites kept Moroccans aware of the growing dissent across the nation, and sparked a worldwide campaign of social media users showing their support to the Moroccan people. Many claim that social media sites exposed them to their realities of the scandal in Morocco that traditional media was not covering comprehensively.

Although the King eventually intervened and revoked Galvan Vina’s pardon, and apologized to the victim’s families for the misunderstanding, there remains a major hole in the sequence of events surrounding the scandal: the government has yet to acknowledge the protesters’ demands for reform of the system that caused the initial mishap. 

The looming question at hand is whether or not the protesters will relent, as this is an unprecedented wave of protests and social media movements surrounding a generally sensitive topic: the system that allows minimal checks on the king’s power. For now, the dust does not seem to have settled, and protests continue with the king and the government under harsh public scrutiny.  A popular Moroccan blogger stated: “Civil society needs to keep up the pressure and come forward with concrete proposals;” with the aim of citizen demands becoming priority in the national discourse, and the exclusion of vague reforms to appease dissent.

It seems as though many Moroccans have caught social media fever and are using the power of it to disseminate information not found in traditional media and foster mobilization on the streets.  These protests are more than just a blip in the Moroccan Facebook timeline, they represent civil society emerging from behind their computers to engage in a public debate with the government and the king.  

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By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World News

Casablanca, August 13, 2013

Almost anyone has a dream to go to space. However, no matter how much time one spends in space, one is very likely to become “Earth sick” and wish to return to the blue planet.

The two Moroccans, Rajaa Aloiza and Karim El Tahiri, share the same dream to go to space, but the venture they have decided to embark on intends to to send them to space without return.

Both Moroccans have decided to apply for Mars One, a project developed by a non-profit organization that seeks to establish a permanent human colony on Mars by 2023. The people who will be sent there will have to adapt to a novel, never-experienced lifestyle.  

For Rajaa Aloiza, a 21-year old girl from Marrakech, who holds a bachelor’s degree in law, going to space and becoming an astronaut has been a dream she passionately sustained since her childhood.

“I would do anything it takes to make this come true,” she stated on an video she posted on her Mars One’s personal profile.

For Karim El Tahiri, a 19-year old Moroccan who lives in Canada where attends an academic health program, going to space has been a childhood dream too. Karim is also for the idea of “finding new homes on new planets.”

Both Rajaa and Karim have eager hopes to be selected among the future astronauts to be sent to the red planet. They are two Moroccans among 100.000 other candidates who seem to share the same dream.  

While the project sounds too fantastic to be true, the project planners appear to have studied the slightest detail about it, from how to manufacture water on Mars without depending on Earth, to how to deal with dangerous space radiations that may result in cancer.

The astronauts are also expected to go through eight-year training in a secret location on Earth. They will learn how to fix habitat structures, grow vegetables in limited spaces and be able to deal with both customary and serious medical issues.

By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World News

Casablanca, August 13, 2013

Mawazine, the Moroccan festival of world music that attracts people from all over the world, has recently been ranked as the second biggest festival in the world, according to a classification made by Mtviggy.com, a website dedicated to global music and popular culture.

Mtviggy.com’s ranking departed from the belief that the biggest festivals in the world are those organized in Britain and in the U.S., as it had been the case in the past. Today, other countries, including Morocco, have stolen the spotlight from those two nations.

Topping the list of biggest festivals in the world is Donauinselfest festival organized in Vienna, Ausrtia, which attracted 3.2 million spectators in 2013.

Morocco’s annual festival, Mawazine, comes second after attracting 2.5 million people in May 2013. According to Mtviggy.com, Mawazine continues to “beat its own attendance record.” 

Though still unknown to many nations worldwide, the excellent records of the Moroccan festival Mawazine continue to draw attention.

No fewer than 370,000 people attended the concerts organized on the occasion of the 6th day of the Festival, according to a communiqué published by “Maroc Cultures”, the body behind the organization of the annual event.

The American diva, Rihanna, attracted more than 150 000 spectators on the first day of the festival, while Algerian Rai star, Cheb Mami attracted 120 spectators.

But David Guetta’s concert attracted the highest number ever. The sought-after French Dj attracted an audience that went a little bit beyond 185.000 fans.

My host family went on a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico for a business of their own and I had to stay at home in south-east Albuquerque. The place where I lived with my American host family was called Hermosa. The word is Spanish and simply means pretty or beautiful. The neighborhood was lovely, calm and beautiful. All houses were ground floor buildings with front and back yards. Before their departure for Santa Fe, my hosts told me they would stay overnight there, settle something they had to deal with then make it back home the following day.

When I woke up the next day, the ground, the roofs of houses and trees were heavily covered with snow. Local radio stations reported that a heavy blizzard had hit certain parts of New Mexico and that the highway to and from Santa Fe had been blocked with snow. Traffic was temporarily interrupted. I received a call from my American family saying that they would stay as long as their safety on the road could be compromised. I was not supposed to go to school for there was some sort of school break.

I stayed at home, read as much as I could, watched TV and at times when I got too much bored, practiced soccer by myself in the backyard despite the snow. The second day went by just as did the first. The third day could have been similar to the previous two days but late in the evening something strange happened. As I was a “night owl” and could not make it to bed early, I stayed in the living room and watched TV. I was a fan of Johnny Carson’s the “Tonight show” so there I was absorbed in watching the show. All of a sudden I had a strange feeling that someone was watching me from outside as the heavy curtains were not completely drawn over the glass “façade” of the living room and the adjacent windows.

The family’s pet, a schnauzer dog was there on the sofa but she seemed not to have taken notice of anything odd. I questioned myself as dogs would not fail to acknowledge any strange intrusion. As I sat for a few more seconds, I told myself I had better do certain things anyway in case an emergency would occur. I quickly got up, went to the front door and locked it (It was not common at the time for most Americans to lock their houses or cars' doors). I also locked the kitchen outer door. After that, I went to the den and locked its sliding door.

The next step was for me to get to my room and get barricaded there along with a telephone. Unfortunately the kitchen telephone could not be moved so I decided to take an alternative measure. I took a kitchen knife in case I had to defend myself, went to my room and locked it from within. As the old Romans used geese, I decided to use the dog as a first “alarm system”. My heart was throbbing as I was getting psyched for any unpleasant scenario to take shape. Time was very slow to get by and I got too exhausted to keep guard all night long so there I fell fast asleep.

When it was morning, I thought what I had experienced was merely another nightmare. I went to inspect the different parts of the house. Everything was in place. The dog was wagging her tail, apparently very pleased to say “Hi”. We went out into the yard and there I discovered that the strange feeling I had the night before was right. There were heavy boots prints on the snow. They progressed anti clockwise round the house. Who that might be, I could never tell. What I have retained however from the experience is… Trust your gut feeling when it is urging you to swiftly take action.

By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World News

Casablanca, August 14, 2013

Royal Air Maroc announced on Monday that a passenger successfully gave birth to a male baby last Sunday while on a flight from Casablanca to Bologna (Italy), according to the Moroccan daily la Vie Eco.

Aged 39, the pregnant woman had felt first contractions a few minutes after the plane took off.

According to the same source, the captain consequently decided to divert the flight trajectory to Barcelona as a precautionary measure.

Cabin crew (flight attendants and chief steward), assisted by a passenger (a midwife by profession), performed the operation "successfully a few seconds before landing," RAM was quoted as saying by La Vie Eco.

According to the RAM, he mother and her baby, who were in good health, were rapidly transferred to San Joan de Deu hospital thanks to the efforts invested by the company’s local services in Barcelona, as well as the airport and health services of the Catalan city.

The plane regained its initial trajectory to Bologna 50 minutes after landing in Barcelona.

Royal Air Maroc’s flight attendants and stewards are trained to perform various sorts of medical interventions, including assistance with childbirth.

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By Youssef Sourgo

Morocco World News

Casablanca, August 14, 2013

The heartless Moroccan roads continue to take the lives of people in the most horrific accidents. Given the increasing number of road accidents in the kingdom, news of dead and injured victims of road accidents have almost become a routine segment of every Moroccan’s daily life.

Today Morning, 3 people died and 45 were injured, two of which are in a critical condition, after the bus which was carrying them brusquely overturned on a road next to Amssawn district, around 80 kilometers south of Agadir.

7 ambulances, three doctors and four nurses were reportedly sent on the spot where the accident took place to help the victims.

According to local officials, the bus, which was heading from Sawira to Agadir, overturned exactly at 9:30 am after the driver lost control of the vehicle at a sharp turn because of high speed.

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