Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
January 13 , 2007

Tourism in Morocco up 10%
11/01/2007

Tourism numbers in Morocco reached 6.4 million in 2006 -- a 10% increase year-on-year, Tourism Minister Adil Douiri said Wednesday (January 10th). The industry was sparked by $6m of annual government investments, as well as additional financing of hotels and sector professionals. In 2001, Morocco adopted the "Vision 2010" strategy that envisages 10 million tourists by 2010. The strategy also aims to create 160,000 beds, bringing the national capacity to 230,000 beds and creating 600,000 new jobs.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/newsbriefs/general/2007/01/11/newsbrief-01
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8 Million Moroccans to Benefit from Medical Assistance Regime.
Rabat, Jan. 12

The Medical Assistance Regime (RAMED) will cover eight million Moroccans, i.e. 28% of overall population, revealed Health minister Cheikh Biadillah. The RAMED, which is destined to the economically destitute population, is a large project, which is expected to be implemented this year, the minister said in an interview, published Friday, by the French-speaking daily "Aujourd'hui le Maroc". For its part, the Mandatory Health Insurance (AMO), covering employees of public and private sectors, will cover over 5 million people, 4,548,000 private sector employees and 700,000 new beneficiaries in the public sector. With the RAMED and AMO, the overall number of the population benefiting from medical insurance in Morocco will be estimated at 50%.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/box2/8_million_moroccans/view
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New Citizenship Code to be approved newt week.
Rabat, Jan. 11

The new Citizenship Code will be approved next Wednesday, by the government cabinet, said government spokesman, Nabil Benabdallah. The new reform, which makes it possible for the mother to exercise a fundamental right in the area of nationality, on equal footing with the father, is another milestone in the consolidation of a state based on the rule of law and dedicated to promoting human rights and to building a modern, democratic society which is committed to its true identity, the minister told the second Moroccan TV channel "2M".

By virtue of this new code, a Moroccan mother's citizenship shall now be immediately transferred to her children, who shall acquire Moroccan nationality at birth, whether childbirth happens in Morocco or abroad. This move is a clear response to legitimate complaints from several national political groups -political parties, trade unions and civil society- and from individuals and families concerned by this reform.

It also complements the reform made to the Family Law (Mudawana), the personal-status law established in 1957, which stipulates that Moroccan citizenship can only be transmitted to children born of a Moroccan father, those of single mothers or of a stateless father. The reform of the citizenship code, based on the principle of gender equality, is fully consistent with the provisions of the Family Law and the new civil status legislation and the new judicial setup, as well as with international law and legislation against discrimination. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/new_citizenship_code/view
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2007 National vaccination campaign to benefit 600k children under one year.
Rabat, Jan. 08

The 2007 national vaccination program will benefit some 600,000 children under one year of age.
These figures were released at the launching, here Saturday, of the 2007 national children vaccination campaign, chaired by princess Lalla Meryem. This USD 4.5Mn campaign is meant to reduce meningitis cases by 30-50% and pneumonia cases by 20-25%, and decrease infant mortality for children under five years of age, according to Health ministry statistics. 95% children under one year of age in Morocco benefited from a full vaccination between 1987 and 2005, according to the same source. The 2007 national vaccination campaign is characterized by introducing a new vaccine against infections of Haemophilus Influenzae type B (HIB). http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/2007_national_vaccin/view
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Over 100 out of 100k Moroccans suffer from cancer, minister.
Rabat, Jan. 04

Between 100 and 180 Moroccans out of 100,000 are affected by cancer, revealed, here Wednesday, Health Minister Mohamed Cheikh Biadillah. Speaking at the House of Representatives question time, the minister said new cases range from 30,000 to 54,000 a year, including 1,000 to 1,500 among children. He said the two existing oncology centers were consolidated by the creation of six centers, noting that his department works to decentralize the medical care of people affected by cancer and support awareness programs.

A recent study conducted in Morocco has concluded that it is necessary to improve the medical staff, and called for reinforcing awareness-raising campaigns on early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The "Association de soutien aux malades du sang et aux enfants cancéreux (AGIR)" had revealed that only 30% among cancer-stricken children in Morocco heal from the disease compared to 80% in Europe. The Association said the poor results are due to economic and socio-cultural reasons, especially the high costs and the lengthy treatment of cancer.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/over_100_out_of_100k/view
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Over 90% of violence against women caused by close relatives.
Meknès (central Morocco), Dec.28

95.8% of violence against women in Morocco are caused by the victim's close relatives, mostly by husbands, according to figures released, here Thursday, by the State Secretariat in charge of the Family, Childhood and the Disabled. The figures concern violence cases reported from December 2005 to October 2006. Najah Ghardis, a State Secretariat official, said that 27,795 violence cases were reported during this period.
These violence cases include physical abuse (30,8%), sexual abuse (9,2 %) and economic violence (0,8%). She also noted that 94% of violence victims live in big towns mainly in Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech et Fès. These figures were revealed at a meeting on "Violence against Women: Realities and Perspectives".

The meeting, attended by representatives from the police, lawyers, and women rights advocates, discussed Morocco's efforts to curb this phenomena, with a special emphasis on gender-friendly education. To this regard, the Government has adopted a battery of measures, including the setting up of Crisis Centers for Beaten Women in all courts, the criminalizing of sexual harassment and the adoption of a new Family Code on October 10th, 2003.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/over_90_of_violence/view
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Over 2,800 schools to be equipped with multimedia facilities.
Rabat, Dec. 21

Some 2,824 schools will be equipped with multimedia facilities and connected to Internet by the end of the 2006-2007 academic year. Speaking at a House of Representatives question time on behalf of the higher education minister, Secretary of State in charge of Rural Development, Mohamed Mohattane said this project concerns 1,613 primary schools, 761 secondary schools and 450 high schools.

Noting that this program aims to secure a fast and effective integration of these technologies in education and training, Mohattane said that this project provides for a second stage that will concern 4,000 schools. IT generalization program is among the fundamental pillars of the national education and training program for 2000 through 2009, he also said.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/culture/over_2800_schools_t/view
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Morocco celebrates its festivals -- and diversity.  
27/12/2006 By Binoual Imrane

A festive atmosphere can be seen on the Moroccan streets as the country's three monotheistic faiths celebrate their holidays -- Eid Al-Adha, Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year -- side by side. Moroccans hope the rest of the world can learn from their example of tolerance. Three major holidays of Morocco's three monotheistic religions occur around the same time at the end of 2006: Christmas, Eid Al-Adha and Hanukkah. "Eid Mubarak", "Merry Christmas", "Happy Hanukkah" and "Happy New Year" are phrases used by Moroccans lately, as one feast follows another.

In a single country, one can see each community preparing for its feast in an unequalled spirit of tolerance. A special atmosphere can be found in Morocco, particularly in the main tourist area, but also in the two capital cities: Rabat, the political capital, and Casablanca, the economic capital.

Activities associated with preparations for Eid-el-Kebir or Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice) are going full steam ahead. Different feast-related jobs proliferate. Shepherds, farmers and traders take over the markets and hire garages to sell their sheep. The Jewish community is organising various activities, particularly in their museum and in Essaouira, Morocco's main Jewish city.

Hotels are adorned with decorations for all of the end-of-year festivities. "The fact that Eid-Al-Adha coincides this year with the Christmas and Hanukkah, whose festivities can be seen here in Essaouira, changes nothing. Just as in other years, we have a rise in bookings in late December because there are a lot of tourists from different cultures and religions who will spend the New Year in Essaouira," says Mostapha Al Azza, hotelier and chairman of the Essaouira provincial council for tourism.

Some cities in Morocco are even overbooked. "This year when three major festivals come together, the 94 classified hotels, as well as the 490 boarding houses in the Red City are full, from December 22nd to January 5th. The clientele varies. There are foreigners, nationals, and groups of Jewish, Moroccan and foreign pilgrims, who find themselves in Morocco at this time. While Marrakech saw 100,000 tourists at the end of 2005, this year, we are expecting 150,000 tourists," Abdelatif Abouricha, of the Marrakech regional council, said.

Abouricha said the choice of Marrakech is not just by chance. "This is the perfect example of a tolerant town. For example, there is a mosque opposite a church in the Guélise district and the synagogues built in the Medina of Mellah," he pointed out. Tolerance in Morocco is unlikely to change simply because feasts from various religions coincide. "It’s a coincidence which bodes well for the three communities," stresses Simon Levy, general secretary of the Jewish community in Casablanca.

"I hope this will be an opportunity in other parts of the world for these three communities to stop hating each other. These feasts coming together will catch their attention, and they will realise they have one single God. And I hope they will then stop waging war against each other," Levy said.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2006/12/27/feature-01
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Morocco turns toward old-style value: Social upheavals, plus migration to towns that has weakened family ties, leads population to seek safety in traditions.
 TheStar.com - Unassigned -  Tom Pfeiffer Reuters news agency. Toronto Star December 26, 2006
RABAT, MOROCCO

Visiting relatives in northeast Morocco, social worker Touria was surprised when a woman took issue with her appearance. "I was wearing the usual thing, jeans and a T-shirt, and she says: `Don't you have the money for a djellaba?' I told her I'm free to wear what I want." Such stories are common in Morocco, where more young women are donning the loose djellaba robe and a headscarf, reversing a tendency by the previous generation to wear western dress. It appears the kingdom is succumbing to a wave of political Islam imported from the Middle East that aims to unite Muslims under sharia, or Islamic law, and reject Western secular values.

A visit to an average Moroccan town suggests the scarves worn by some young women are inspired by fashions further east, fitting tightly to the head and covering the neck completely. Long beards favoured by conservative Muslims are now a common sight in poor areas.
Prayers are broadcast in taxis, shops and banks. Newspapers speak of moral vigilantes patrolling beaches and upbraiding sunbathing couples. Office workers tell of pressure from colleagues to observe the fast at Ramadan.

According to a survey by the Sunergia Institute for L'Economiste newspaper this year, close to half of young Moroccans consider themselves religious conservatives and 42 per cent of those agree religion should guide political parties. The tendency for people to wear their religion on their sleeves can be traced back to social upheavals that have left much of the population seeking safety in traditional values, local analysts say.

Migration to the large towns has weakened family ties that offered security and continuity in the Muslim country.
"This situation of uncertainty creates the need for protection and to belong to a group that is expressed through a return to conformism," said sociologist Omrane Abderrahim.

Morocco languishes in 123rd place out of 177 countries in the UN Human Development Index, which measures factors like child mortality and access to health and education.

Free-market reforms to spur the economy have not yet solved high unemployment, and jobless graduates stage angry protests almost every week in Rabat to demand government jobs.

"Young people today are hit by the social disease of unemployment. They feel abandoned and social fragility dominates their thinking," said sociologist Youssef Sadik.

A lack of wealth and prospects has led many young people to fall back on spirituality, he said. An active minority of students are members of Morocco's largest Islamic opposition movement, Al Adl Wal Ihssane, which is banned from mainstream politics.

Images of violence in Afghanistan and Iraq, and a decade of conflict in neighbouring Algeria that pitted the government against Islamic militants, has engendered a widespread distaste for sectarian religious excess.

"There is more Islam, that is true, but that doesn't mean there's more Islamism," said Serge Berdugo, head of Morocco's Jewish association and a former government minister.

A poll by the U.S.-based International Republican Institute forecast the moderate opposition Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) could win parliamentary elections next year, posing a potential obstacle to King Mohammed's liberal reform program.

The PJD says it will focus on fighting corruption and poverty rather than pushing a fundamentalist agenda, although some statements by party members are seized on by the liberal press as evidence of a strong reactionary undercurrent.

TelQuel magazine quoted Ahmed Raissouni, a cleric regarded as being close to the PJD, as saying Moroccan music festivals introduced "alcoholic drinks, drugs, dancing, adultery, homosexuality and sexual and intellectual perversion" into society.

After the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Attajdid newspaper, which reflects the PJD views, said it showed God's displeasure with Southeast Asia's sex tourism industry and Morocco could face a similar disaster if it did not stamp out immorality.

Sadik said politicians can win easy votes by criticizing modern ways because the bulk of Morocco's population has fallen far behind a wealthy westernized elite that dominates the administration and jealously guards its privileges.
http://www.thestar.com/Unassigned/article/165094
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Girls seeking marriage and good fortune flock to Sidi Al Yabouri.
By Sarah Touahri. 05/01/07

Every Wednesday, young women flock to Sidi Al Yabouri, a cemetery in the heart of Rabat's Medina. They hope that the rituals they perform and the herbs they buy there will bring them good fortune. Every Wednesday there is a special atmosphere at the tomb of Sidi Al Yabouri, a marabout (a saint), in the heart of Rabat's medina where young women go, hoping to break evil spells. They believe their wishes will be granted if they follow the instructions given by seers to the letter.

Sociologist Hamza Kassouf explains that like most Moroccans, these girls are convinced that marabouts have magical powers. "It’s their upbringing that makes them feel they need to believe in this. It’s a last resort to keep them from sinking into despair. They’ve tried everything else and want to believe a spell has been cast on them," he says. He adds that despite their beliefs, they know they are performing "rituals that society frowns upon".

Most young women try to cover their faces so their families and neighbours don't recognise them. "I don’t want anyone to know I’m coming here. Otherwise they might start saying I’m a witch," explains one young woman. Mourad Soufiani, an Islamic studies professor, says the reaction of these young girls is completely normal because this practise is against their religion. He adds that marabouts are not intercessors before God. "Islam advocates the worship of God alone … it is God Muslims should turn to if they want their wishes granted."

But this does not seem to dissuade the young girls, who firmly believe that the answers to their problems lie in the hands of these "saints". It doesn’t take them long to find their way around. At every turn there are women willing to be their guides for a few dirhams. According to Kassouf this is an ancient practise.

Zahra has been selling herbs and candles at the cemetery ever since her husband died 20 years ago. She has chosen a strategic spot where visitors pass by to sell her wares and says she had to struggle for months to get it. "I had to be strong and patient. I had to pluck up the courage to face a lot of other women to get established at Sidi Al Yabouri, and stood up to them because it’s the only way I can make a living," she tells Magharebia. She never misses an opportunity to invite passers-by to purchase her wares.

Fatima is one of the many girls at Sidi Al Yabouri. Biting her nails, she approaches Zahra. She buys two candles, some henna and a few herbs, then heads towards the sanctuary of the marabout. She says that every man she meets leaves her within just a few weeks. A seer has advised her to go to Sidi Al Yabouri if she wants to get married soon. "I’m 32 but I’m still not married yet. I’m fed up of the looks my family and neighbours keep giving me," she says.

She goes toward a group of young girls surrounding a woman wearing a greenish jellaba named Hnia. She says the same thing to each girl. "Sidi Al Yabouri is a place which can do many things for you. All you have to do is believe in its powers to get what you’re longing for." She takes a look around and tells a group of attentive young women how to make their wishes come true. Sugar, bread and dates are laid on the graves next to her.

Two teenagers seem to be filled with wonder at the atmosphere. They have had to repeat the same phrase time after time: "We come to meditate here, Sidi Al Yabouri, believing in your power. Please grant our wish. Please accept our request. We are counting on you, do not disappoint us."

The visit ends with a shower in the water inside the cemetery. Hnia warns all the girls that unless they use the "holy" water from the well, their wishes cannot be granted. "You simply must do it. The water is warm in the winter and cold in the summer because of Sidi Al Yabouri’s good fortune."

The visitors leave their clothes on the ground. Undergarments lie strewn all over the sanctuary. Every girl who washes leaves something behind so that the saint will grant her wishes. They must also light candles and turn around several times while repeating word for word phrases given to them by the women who "work" at Sidi Al Yabouri, praying to the saint to help them.

Henna is the last part of the ritual. The girls are free to choose how they put it on their hands. Experienced "nekkachas" -- henna women -- can help them with this. Some, however, prefer applying henna onto a stencil and then squeezing a lemon underfoot. One of them is really putting all her effort into the task. "I must believe in the power of Sidi Al Yabouri and follow the instructions of the women who supervise the place exactly."

Sidi El Yabouri becomes empty at 6pm. The women who supervise the marabout leave so they can return early the next morning. They gather up the sugar, bread and dates. More young women will seek good fortune from Sidi Al Yabouri. Kassouf says the rituals have remained unchanged for decades. Even in the 21st century, people still turn to marabouts. "There are no statistics on this phenomenon, but experts know that people’s beliefs don’t change overnight. It will take sustained education to root out this kind of ancestral practise."
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/reportage/2007/01/05/reportage-01
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Morocco: a model of Muslim-Jewish ties.
By Serge Berdugo Tue Jan 9, CASABLANCA, MOROCCO

As the flames of anti-Semitism continue to be fanned across much of the Islamic world, there is a risk that today's youth will grow up believing that Arabs and Jews were simply not meant to coexist, let alone thrive together. That idea conflicts with history - and is a falsehood today. My country, Morocco, illustrates the viability and vitality of a Jewish community - my community - in an Arab country. It's a model of harmony other Muslim nations should follow.

The Jewish people have been a presence in Africa's Maghreb region for more than 2,000 years. North African Jews and Muslims traveled north and thrived together in southern Europe for more than 700 years. In 1492, when we refused to convert to Christianity, we were expelled - together - from Spain. And together we successfully sought refuge in Morocco, which accepted us into its society and institutions.

A history of defending Jews
Morocco's leaders have always made the well-being of the Jewish people a top priority. During World War II, when the Vichy government of occupied France announced that it had prepared 200,000 yellow stars for the Jews of Morocco, King Mohammed V replied that he would need 50 more for him and his family. He refused to make any distinction between his citizens.

The importance of a nation's leader setting the tone for recognition, respect, and treatment of minority faiths can- not be overstated. Today, King Mohammed VI has declared his religious, historical, and constitutional obligation to protect the rights, liberties, and sacred values of the Jews in Morocco.

This commitment dramatically affected Morocco's reaction at moments of great challenge. After May 16, 2003 - the Moroccan 9/11, when five terrorist bombs exploded, three directed at Jewish targets - King Mohammed VI expressed condolences at a Jewish Center, condemning the criminal acts and reaffirming his determination to protect Jews and all Moroccan citizens.

In doing so, he defined the attack as one upon all Moroccan society, awakening the national conscience and strengthening the bonds between us. Moroccans of all faiths responded with candlelight vigils at bombing sites and demonstrations attended by nearly 1 million participants.

Many Moroccan Jews have emigrated to  Israel and elsewhere, but the attachments to our homeland are unique. "Morocco never loses a Jewish citizen - we gain an ambassador," Mohammed VI's predecessor, King Hassan II, once said. Today, there are 1 million such "ambassadors" all over the world and 600,000 in Israel alone.

We Jews who call Morocco home have a vibrant community that includes 30 functioning synagogues and three school networks, which many influential Muslim families choose for their own children. Moroccan Jews serve as counselors to the king, ministers, colonels, members of parliament, judges, and ambassadors. On Jewish holy days, Muslim authorities, out of respect, attend our services.

With help from the Moroccan government, we started a foundation to preserve Jewish historical sites. And we support research on our community - including 30 doctoral dissertations presently under way by Muslim candidates.

Muting the extremists' call
Are we an isolated society? Hardly: Moroccans young and old have access to as wide an array of media and ideological diversity as anywhere in the Islamic world. Yes, the extremists' call is heard here, too, but make no mistake - it's the response that differs. The tones of tolerance, trumpeted by a government that believes that Moroccan Judaism is an intrinsic and permanent part of the national culture, overwhelm the extremists' siren song.

Are we a historical accident or the path forward? Perhaps the answer is that our historical good fortune now has to be transformed into a model for others. We are more relevant outside our border than ever before. Other world leaders must realize that the path forward lies not in fanning the fires of the moment, but in setting a tone of authentic coexistence that will endure.
* The author is the president of Morocco's Jewish Community Council.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/csm/20070109/cm_csm/yberdugo
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UNA-Spain Gives Annual Peace Award to Moroccan Writer Tahar Ben Jelloun.
Terrassa (Barcelona), Jan. 12

The United Nations Association of Spain conferred, here Thursday, its annual Peace Award to Moroccan writer Tahar Ben Jelloun. The award recognizes the work of an individual or organization for their leadership in defense of the peaceful resolution of conflicts, Human Rights and fundamental freedoms. Among the award laureates, there are notably Nelson Mandela, Mikhael Gorbatchev, Olof Palm, Federico Mayor, Hans Blix, Carla Ponté and Miguel Angel Moratinos.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/imp_culture/una-spain_gives_annu/view ############################################

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