Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
December 19, 2009

Tunisia, Morocco: North African women at forefront of legal reform .
Wednesday, 11 November 2009 By Fatima Sadiqi

Women in North Africa have made tremendous progress in promoting and upholding their rights. Women in this region —commonly known as the Maghreb —are at the forefront of the Arab world in terms of individual rights and gender equality, and constitute models for other Arab women to follow. A number of lessons may be drawn from the inspiring experience of women in North Africa, especially in Morocco and Tunisia.

Access to justice has been greatly facilitated by the new Family Courts in Morocco as necessitated by the Moroccan Family Code of 2004. When women marry, they are now able to retain ownership of their property thanks to Article 49 of the code, which allows for a separate contract on property alongside the marriage contract. This is in accordance with Islamic law, in which women may remain the sole owners of their property and have no legal obligation to share it with their husbands. In addition, mothers married to foreign nationals in Morocco and Tunisia can now pass on their citizenship to their children —a privilege previously allowed only to men.

The countries of the Maghreb have made significant headway in combating violence against women. Almost all Arab countries have signed the most important international convention that bans such violence, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), with exceptions to articles that clashed with a literal interpretation of the Islamic law. But Morocco has recently agreed to the convention in full.

Women are also more visible in economic and academic spheres than before in the Maghreb. Nationwide youth literacy is gradually becoming a reality with women demanding accessible and standardised educational opportunities. And women often spearhead business ventures, are increasingly choosing their professions freely and feeling safer at the workplace as a result of laws that combat sexual harassment, and have better access to clinics and more independence in making decisions about their reproductive health.

Fertility rates have dropped considerably in the region, from well above six children per women in the 1970s to approximately two per woman in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, according to the Journal of African and Asian Studies. This reduction is impressive: the Maghreb accomplished in 25 years what took almost 200 years in France.

Women in the Maghreb have also progressed when it comes to exercising their political rights and civic voice, with more and more women becoming members of their nations' parliaments (43 in Tunisia, 34 in Morocco and 30 in Algeria) and local governing councils (no less than 3,406 in Morocco).

Non-governmental organisations have played an essential role in pushing women's rights forward in the Maghreb region. Networking between associations at national and grassroots levels ensures that activists can disseminate information and rally multiple groups to help promote new legislation or initiatives that help women.

Support networks, such as Anaruz, a network of Moroccan women's associations, are getting stronger despite the society's conservative social norms. Women's rights organisations and individual activists have helped the government to improve the rights of all women, which the state sees as a way to improve society as a whole. Another lesson that the Moroccan and Tunisian experiences offer is the importance of the place given to gender and women studies in some universities. These academic programmes have proved instrumental in changing social perceptions, attitudes and structures that obstruct gender equality.

One of the main reasons for the slow progress in women's rights in the rest of the Arab world is an unfounded fear among conservatives that granting full equality to women constitutes an imposition of Western values and a deviation from Islamic norms. Proponents of women's rights in the Maghreb, however, have made every effort in their thinking and action to show that it is patriarchy and social norms, and not Islam itself, that constitute the roots of their problems.

Women's rights are indeed congruent with the spirit of Islam and with universal ideals. Islamic jurisprudence has a tradition of ijtihad —an independent and contextual interpretation of the Qur'an and hadith, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad —which allows consideration of culture as a changing concept.

The countries of the Maghreb strive to reinterpret Islam in modern social contexts through their revised family codes, which secure women's rights without compromising Islamic values. Tradition and modernity are not lived as mutually exclusive. The future of women's rights in the Maghreb greatly depends both on the work of civil society activists and continued Islamic legal reform based on universal human rights.
Global Arab Network
* Fatima Sadiqi is a professor of linguistics and gender studies and a UN expert on gender. This article was written for the Common Ground News Service (CGNews).
http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/200911113575/Culture/tunisia-morocco-north-african-women-at-forefront-of-legal-reform.html
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AIDS documented cases in Morocco reach 3,198.
Rabat

The number of AIDS documented cases in Morocco since 1986 has reached 3,198, a statement of the Health Ministry said. The disease prevalence remains low with a 0.08% infection rate, the ministry said, noting that this rate increases among vulnerable people in some regions. To fight this plague, Morocco has devised a strategic plan that seeks to secure access to the services of prevention, treatment and healthcare, while ensuring equity and confidentiality, upholding human rights, and fighting stigmatization and discrimination, the source said.

Prevention programs were enlarged to benefit 1,100,000 youth and women, and 100,000 people from the most vulnerable social segments, while 75,000 anonymous and voluntary AIDS screenings were carried out, it added. The Health Ministry spends every year 18 million dirhams to fight AIDS.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/aids_documented_case/view
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Moroccan schools improving access for disabled children.
By Sarah Touahri 2009-12-17

Civil society partnerships and new specialist centres may increase school enrolment rates for disabled children. Morocco is working to improve services for Down's syndrome and other handicapped children, many of whom have no access to local primary schools.

Halima, 45, lives in Sidi Kacem with her husband and four children, including an 8-year-old boy with Down's syndrome. For years, Halima hoped her son would be able to attend school in spite of his disability, but no schools in the region cater to children with special needs. "Othmane is a Moroccan citizen, even though he has a disability," she said. "The state should think about all children like him. To send him to school, I'd have to move to Casablanca or Rabat, but it wouldn't be easy for my husband to move to either of those two cities," she said.

According to a survey conducted in 2004, only 32% of all disabled children attended school. This figure is one-third the rate of school enrolment for other children.

Morocco has only been paying particular attention to children with special needs over the past few years, according to sociologist Samira Kassimi. "The High Commission for the Disabled was only established in 1995, and the State Secretariat for the Disabled was created in 1998," she said. In addition to creating special classrooms and institutions for these children, Kassimi continued, "we must not neglect their families, who are the primary source of support for these children."

Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity Nouzha Skelli said her department is trying to overcome the lack of infrastructure to provide for handicapped children, but emphasised the enormous strides made in the last year. While only 15 special integrated classrooms were set up last year to provide for special needs children with mild disabilities, a "record number" of 400 classrooms were created in 2009, the minister said.

The Ministry of Social Development is also devoting a budget of 11 million dirhams so that 1,427 children with severe disabilities can receive an education at 48 specialist education centres. The Ministry also gives priority to organisations that are able to teach children in suburban and rural areas, where the cost of teaching is high. Down's syndrome children have also been placed in integrated classrooms, said Fatima Serhane, who serves as president of the Moustaqbal Association for special needs education.

"Thanks to the National Human Development Initiative, carpentry and hairdressing workshops have been created for people with special needs," she added. Minister Skelli encouraged civil society organisations to assist the state in providing education for disabled children, to overcome the lack of facilities and instructors. Abdallah Cheddadi, who heads the Mohammed VI National Centre for the Disabled, echoed this view. He said that organisations that operate in this field need to adopt a clear view of their role, and devise a strategy to accomplish local-level objectives as well as large-scale goals.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2009/12/17/feature-02
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Morocco budgets money for fund for divorced women.
By Sarah Touahri 2009-12-01

Government measures to support divorcees "will make a big difference in the daily lives of many women and children", according to Rabat community leader Fatima Maghnaoui. Morocco's Parliament has voted to push forward with creating a long-discussed fund to support divorced women and their families.

The Family Solidarity Fund, which was planned for in the 2003 Family Code, will finally be set up under an amendment to the 2010 Finance Act. "The provisions of the Family Code must be enforced, since MPs passed the laws years ago," said MP and leader of the Party of Justice and Development, Mustapha Ramid, on November 23rd. The fund will provide money for divorced women and mothers whose husbands fail to pay alimony, and will then recover the money from men who refuse to make payments. For the time being, the fund will be financed with tax money.

Halima Allioui is among the many women who have eagerly awaited the fund's creation. Since her divorce six months ago, taking care of her children has been a struggle as a result of her ex-husband's failure to pay court-ordered alimony. The fund will help her provide for her family and recover the funds she is owed.

After the MPs approved the 2010 Finance Act on November 17th, Finance Minister Salaheddine Mezouar said that all parties had supported the idea of the fund, as long as all the "necessary components" such as budget allocations were present. Ahmed Zaydi, who leads the Socialist Union of Popular Forces in Parliament, said that the government "never refused to set up the fund, but for financial reasons ... planned to create it in 2011".

While there is criticism of certain aspects of the new fund, including calls to extend the deadline for filing alimony claims, some activists are eagerly embracing the concept. "The measure will make a big difference in the daily lives of many women and children," said Fatima Maghnaoui, who heads the Annajda Centre in Rabat. The centre helps divorced and abused women. "Non-enforcement of nafaka (alimony) has adverse consequences, such as children dropping out of school and juvenile delinquency," she said.

Maghnaoui said that other Arab countries, such as Tunisia and Egypt, provide funds to divorced mothers and report a lower truancy rate. "The government always cited the pretext of the lack of funds to put into the Family Solidarity Fund, but many funds related to other sectors are being financed out of public money," she said. "It's easy to find sources of funding, such as from zakat (charity) or the introduction of a special tax on prenuptial agreements." "It's never too late to do the right thing," added the community leader.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2009/12/01/feature-01
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AFD loans Morocco € 40 million to fund hydro-agricultural project.
Rabat

The French Development Agency (AFD) on Monday granted Morocco a € 40 million loan to fund a hydro-agricultural project in the Sbou region. The project provides for the construction of an irrigation network to enable the development of localized irrigation on 4,000 hectares in a bid to achieve a rational management of water resources. Between 2007 and 2009, the AFD contributed to financing projects totaling 8 billion dirhams in the North African country.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/afd_loans_morocco/view
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Maternal, infant mortality rate in Morocco down 8.4% in 1st half of 2009.
Rabat

The maternal and infant mortality rate in public hospitals declined by 8.4% over the first half of 2009, the health minister said. Yasmina Baddou described this rate as encouraging because the result comes while the ministry started implementing an action plan aimed at reducing maternal mortality as part of the "safe maternity" programme. She was speaking at the House of Representatives' question time on Wednesday.
The minister said a host of measures were taken, resulting in a considerable improvement in the indicators of medical consultation before delivery (15%), delivery under surveillance (6%) and caesarian section (13%).
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/maternal_infant_mor/view
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Morocco, UNICEF sign agreement on children's rights.
Rabat

Moroccan human rights watchdog (CCDH) and UN children's fund (UNICEF) signed on Thursday an agreement on the promotion of children's rights and the setting up of aid mechanisms for abused children. The agreement was signed by chairman of CCDH, Ahmed Herzenni, and UNICEF representative in Morocco, Aloys Kamuragiye. Under the agreement, the UN body commits itself to supporting the CCDH in setting up national institutional aid mechanisms, in accordance with the Paris Principles, with the aim of contributing to the implementation of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, following-up cases of child abuse, and enhancing the rights of young people. A monitoring commission, made up of representatives of the CCDH and the UNICEF, will be set up to carry out the agreement. It will take charge of implementing the 2010-2011 "Morocco-UNICEF Cooperation" program.
http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/12/17/4538220.htm
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Morocco's 12th national solidarity campaign raises $ 25.2 mln.
Rabat

Some 195.2 million dirhams ($ 25.2 mln) were raised during the 12th national solidarity campaign, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity said on Thursday. 127.2 million dirhams were collected from sales of lapel badges, stamps and direct donations, said the Foundation in a statement. Direct financing of the Foundation's project and action plans stood at 58.3 million dirhams, while in-kind donations notably foodstuff, clothe and medicines reached 8.9 million dirhams, the same source added.

The Foundation highlighted the commitment of the Moroccan citizen inside the country and abroad to contribute to the campaign whose main aim is to combat poverty. The funds raised will be dedicated to the implementation of programs and projects benefiting poor people.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/morocco_s_12th_natio/view
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Social Development minister awarded 'Minerva Anna Maria Mammoliti' prize.
Rome

Morocco's Social Development, Family and Solidarity minister Nouzha Skalli was awarded, Thursday in Rome, the "Minerva Anna Maria Mammoliti" prize (political category) for her commitment to gender mainstreaming and women's empowerment. The prize was handed to Skalli during a ceremony attended by several officials, men of letters, journalists, and civil society actors.

"I am proud of Morocco and the progress it has achieved under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI," said Skalli, who is the first Moroccan woman to be granted this prestigious prize. "Politics needs women and their vision to fight illiteracy and social exclusion," Skalli said, adding that women need to share power to make the country progress.

Set up in 1983 by the "club delle donne" association (women's club), the Minerva prize is given every year to ten women and one man for their human, cultural and professional qualities, as well as their valuable contribution to developing societies. Skalli showcased Morocco's major reforms over the past few years. "We owe these reforms to a King attached to human rights and women's cause." In this regard, Skalli underscored Morocco's family law "Moudawana" which is based on equality and joint responsibility, and the latest local elections during which 3,428 women were elected.

Nine other women received the 2009 Minerva prize in other categories, namely career, literature, leadership, business, scientific research, management and innovation, peace and solidarity, social commitment and gender equality. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/social/social_development_m/view
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Creation of a Moroccan American Network
http://www.moroccoboard.com/grassroots/52-grassroots/246-creation-of-a-moroccan-american-network
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In Morocco, visit the goats who stand in trees.
Sunday, December 13, 2009 By DOMINICK A. and SUSAN MERLE / Special Contributors to The Dallas Morning News
Dominick Merle is a freelance writer in Canada.
ESSAOUIRA, Morocco

An amazing animal show takes place each spring and summer in the Moroccan countryside. Goats climb trees and balance on the limbs like trapeze artists. The sure-footed Tamri goats have a sweet tooth for the leaves of the argan tree, indigenous to western Morocco. Consequently, the animals have become adept climbers, entering the tree via low-hanging branches or climbing the gnarled trunks.

This treetop grazing drives farmers wild. The goats also eat some of the nuts from the argan tree, and from these nuts comes the most prized and expensive oil of Morocco. Used sparingly on salads or as a bread dip, the oil is so treasured that some Moroccans carry small vials of it with them and add a drop or two to their couscous in restaurants. The oil also is used in high-priced cosmetics.

I had heard about these daredevil goats on previous trips to Morocco, but I had never seen them. I wondered if they were the product of someone's imagination. But we were assured that the animal act was in full bloom. "We may see them soon," predicted our guide Abel after about an hour's drive west of Marrakech. "They're often in this area." And almost right on cue, just ahead, were several parked vans where the spectacle was taking place. There, perched on the limbs of a tree about 20 feet high, were a dozen goats, munching the tasty leaves and nuts.

The nimble animals seemed indifferent to our presence as they continued to strip the tree to its bare limbs. Black, brown and white, they stood almost motionless on the branches, resembling oversize Christmas tree ornaments. The farmers have an ongoing feud with the goats, trying to harvest the almond-shaped nuts before the acrobatic goats get hungry. Often, the result is a draw, for once the goats have digested their treetop buffet, they leave manure that contains the large kernels from which the oil is extracted.

At this point, the farmers' wives take over, collecting the kernels, then grinding and pressing them to extract the precious oil, which often sells for up to $50 a liter. Roadside stands in the area sell "argan oil," but it's often diluted with cheaper oil or colored with paprika. (Pure argan oil is much darker than olive oil.) Instead, buy at a store or market in Marrakech or other city.

It also would be wise to plan to see the nimble goats in action soon. Overgrazing and over-harvesting are endangering the argan tree. For now, however, it's still all-you-can-eat until the farmer comes.

Contact: Morocco National Tourist Office, www.visitmorocco.com Dominick Merle is a freelance writer in Canada.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/travel/thisweek/stories/DN-moroccogoats_1213tra.ART.State.Edition1.4bf369c.html
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Museum records ups and downs of Morrocan life.
John Thorne, Foreign Correspondent
Last Updated: December 13. 2009 8:11PM UAE / December 13. 2009 http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091214/FOREIGN/712139896/1002
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AFD grants $ 171 mln loan to Morocco to fund development projects.
Paris

French Development Agency (AFD) has decided to grant Morocco three loans worth some 115 million Euros (171 million dollars) to support rural electrification programs, social housing and health service improvement. A sum of 30 million Euros (44.6 million dollars) was granted to the national electricity Utility (ONE) to fund the fifth phase of the comprehensive rural electrification program (PERG), said a statement of the Agency. AFD said it has assisted ONE on this program since it was launched in 1995 with the aim to generalize electricity before 2010, noting that this new funding will allow for equipping 449 villages (17,800 households).

The French Agency also approved a 50 million Euro loan (74.4 million dollars) to Al-Omrane Development Holding. The project provides for building over the 2008-2012 period new 600,000 housing units, the same source added. Another 35 million Euros (52 million dollars) were granted by AFD to the Kingdom to assist a program on regionalization, decentralization and reinforcement of basic health care.

AFD has approved funding for many development projects in many countries, notably Vietnam, Mozambique, South Africa and Mauritius Island. http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/economy/afd_grants__171_mln/view
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Agricultural reform extends to the fishing industry
Thursday, 12 November 2009

Morocco's wide-reaching agricultural reform drive has been extended to the fishing industry. At the end of September, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Maritime Fishing unveiled Plan Halieutis, a series of development projects and targets for the fishing sector's expansion and modernisation.

Long an economic pillar for Morocco, the fishing industry is a leading foreign exchange earner, accounting for 56% of agricultural and 16% of total exports. Plan Halieutis aims to increase exports from DH8.3bn (€729m) in 2007 to DH21.9bn (€1.9bn) by 2020. In the same time period, the sector's contribution to GDP is expected to rise from DH16.2bn (€1.4bn) to DH23.9bn (€2bn). Direct jobs in the fishing industry, a key employer, are also anticipated to nearly double, rising from 61,650 to 115,000.

Under Plan Halieutis, the government will invest DH9bn (€790m) to create "industry clusters" in Tangier as well as the southern ports of Agadir and Laayoune-Dakhla. Speaking at the launch of the plan in Agadir, the agriculture minister, Aziz Akhannouch, noted that the three clusters were bringing about "a new orientation in the sector, which spurs the development of the regions managing the clusters, reinforces the competitiveness of Morocco at the international level, and fosters new work habits".

A vital component of the reform strategy is developing aquaculture to solve the problem of overfishing. Until now, aquaculture has been limited – in 2008 output was 4800 tonnes, generating DH24m (€2.1m) in revenue. Plan Halieutis paves the way for the creation of a National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture, a seafood promotion centre, and a fisheries employment observatory. In 2010 an aquaculture facility will be launched at Ras El Ma to produce 40,000 crayfish a year.

Within the framework of Plan Halieutis, the construction of a DH6.6bn (€580bn) fisheries zone, Heliopolis, began at the beginning of October. Capable of processing 500,000 tonnes of fish, the complex will create 20,000 direct jobs in the fishing industry.

Morocco has initiated a number of sector reforms in recent years, including the Plan Azur for tourism and the emergency plan for education. With the Plan Maroc Vert, a long-term development strategy put into effect in April 2008, the government sought to turn the agricultural sector into a motor of economic growth. Though the fishing industry was not included in Plan Vert, the National Fisheries Agency (Office National des Pêches) has been conducting a modernisation campaign since 2008, constructing wholesale fish markets and upgrading facilities, while expanding production further south, including the stretch of coast between Tan-Tan and Dakhla.

Athough the country has 3000 km of coastline, fishing production has traditionally been concentrated on the northern ports. "With fishing resources in the north suffering from over-exploitation, the main reserves are now located in the south, particularly for blue fish such as sardine and octopus," Najib Chaoui, the director of the National Fish Processing Industry Federation (Fédération Nationale des Industries de Transformation et de Valorisation des Produits de la Pêche), told OBG.

The continent's top fish producer, Morocco saw a 15% increase in yield between 2007 and 2008, reaching 943,000m tonnes. Output value amounted to Dh4.5bn (€395m) in 2008, a 22% annual increase. According to Majid El Ghaïb, the general director of the National Fisheries Agency, "This increase can mainly be attributed to the modernisation of the fishing fleet, as well as the hike in sardine production at the ports of Laayoune and Tan-Tan, and growth in octopus production at the ports of Laayoune and Dakhla." Depletion of tuna reserves (163 tonnes were caught in 2008 compared to 740 tonnes in 2006) led the industry to diversify to include high-value fish, such as octopus and shrimp.

While neighbouring Senegal and Mauritania are competitors in fresh fish exports, Morocco dominates in the canned fish segment, with sardines comprising 90% of canned exports. The EU is the country's top market, receiving 73% of production, though North America and the Middle East are also being targeted. As Morocco currently exports 90% of its production, Plan Halieutis also seeks to increase domestic fish consumption from 10 kg per person per year to 16 kg.

In addition to boosting production, the new plan envisages several regulatory changes, such as clarifying the fishing industry's legal framework. Five new regulatory bodies will be established, including the National Committee for Fisheries to monitor and set policies for fisheries and the Fishing Adjustment and Modernisation Fund to restructure Morocco's fishing fleet.
Global Arab Network This article is published in partnership with Oxford Business Group
http://www.english.globalarabnetwork.com/200911123584/Economics/morocco-agricultural-reform-extends-to-the-fishing-industry.html
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Morocco eyes changes to pricing of medicines
.By Siham Ali 2009-11-11

A new governmental body must be created to negotiate the price of medicines, according to a recent report by a committee of the Moroccan Parliament. Medicines are too costly in Morocco, and the responsibility for setting prices must be removed from the Ministry of Health, according to a recently published parliamentary committee report.

To make medicines affordable, drug prices should be determined by a new government body, says the report, which was released on November 3rd. This body would consist of representatives from the Health Ministry, health insurance companies, professional bodies and the country's Council on Competitiveness.

The report's authors found that name-brand drugs usually cost more in Morocco than they do in other countries. Prices in Tunisia can be 30 to 189% lower than in Morocco, and France offers name-brand drugs at rates that are 20-70% lower. Prices within Morocco for the same drug also fluctuate wildly, depending on which company brands it (a 600% difference) and where it is sold (a 300% difference).

Generic drugs, though cheaper than name-brand medicines, are also more expensive in Morocco than they are in Tunisia or France, according to the parliamentary report. Nevertheless, most Moroccans purchase the more expensive drugs, as these are the type most frequently prescribed by doctors.

Health Minister Yasmina Baddou acknowledged that the procedures for setting drug prices are outdated and need to be revised.

The parliamentary committee also recommends that AMO, one of Morocco's largest health insurance bodies, no longer reimburse customers for purchasing the most expensive drugs. The committee, which has been researching the high price of medicines since last February, also argued strongly for the promotion of generic medicines to lower the rising cost of prescriptions.

MP Reda Benkhaldoun faulted the pharmaceutical industry and the procedures created by the Drug Price Regulation Authority for the high cost of medicine in Morocco. Benkhaldoun called the issue "of the utmost importance, especially for people without health insurance who can't afford the medication to treat illnesses". "Even those Moroccans lucky enough to be covered by the AMO and RAMED health insurance plans risk becoming unable to afford the cost of prescribed medications in the medium term," added the law-maker.

The head of the country's Pharmaceutical Industry Association, Ali Sedrati, said manufacturers are committed to lowering prices. However, "a number of measures need to be put in place to encourage the sector", he added. "Seventy percent of the drugs sold in Morocco are manufactured locally," said Sedrati. "If we take action to boost consumption by improving access to treatment and compulsory health insurance, and if we lay down clear rules, prices will fall." "If consumption doubles, prices will drop by 30%," claimed the industry official.
The parliamentary report also urges Moroccan policy-makers to look to Tunisia for a viable model on which to create a drug-pricing method.

"Tunisia has adopted a drug policy that has helped lower prices by relying primarily on a system for centralising purchases," the report states. It cites Tunisia's example of using centralised government bodies to negotiate "reasonable" prices by buying medications in bulk, and of encouraging suppliers to compete through tenders.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2009/11/11/feature-02
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Moroccan carpet confidential .
Rural women weavers struggle to earn a fair price for their intricate rugs.
By Erik German - GlobalPost  Published: November 13, 2009
KOURKOUDA, Morocco

It takes more than 20 pounds of raw wool and 60 days of handwork to fashion one of Morocco’s famous carpets. The weavers in this village say it’s hardly worth the effort. “You can’t give a damn about carpets anymore,” said Rakia Nid Lchguer, 57, who, like many weavers in this country’s remote south, spent a decade perfecting her art, beginning at age 6. “The market barely repays the cost of the wool,” she said.

Morocco’s vibrant rugs come in a variety of styles — from flat-woven hanbels to the fuzzy creations crafted by Nid Lchguer and her neighbors. The pieces fetch hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars on carpet shop floors in Marakesh, Fez and abroad. The rug stores are as common to Moroccan cities as bright lights on Broadway, and the haggling done inside is a visitor’s rite of passage. Hours can pass with merchants sipping tea, trading fibs with tourists about what the final price will be. Overpayment is the norm.

Yet middlemen ensure that little of that money finds it way back to villages like Kourkouda. While the World Bank estimates Moroccans make an average of $6 per day, in these arid hills south of the Atlas Mountains, that figure seems optimistic.

Seated on the cement floor of a home where she raised seven children, Nid Lchguer said immediate needs have sometimes forced her to sell a finished carpet for as little as $40. The raw materials cost her $33, she said. While talking, she cleaned tufts of raw, ivory-colored wool by scraping it between two steel brushes. Her neighbor, Fadma Hassi, 65, stopped spinning yarn nearby and said, “That’s if you get to sell it.”

This time, the women have been lucky. Someone ordered on commission a plush carpet with roughly the same footprint as an American twin bed. With the help of a third neighbor, the weavers will split $50 three ways in exchange for an amount of labor that seems alien in a mechanized age.

The rug’s warp alone — a continuous string forming the piece’s vertical threads on the loom — will require hand-spinning a piece of yarn the length of 10 football fields. Among other tasks in the coming weeks, the women will hand-tie more than 100,000 knots no bigger than this lower-case o.

Not all Morocco’s carpets are crafted from hand-spun wool in isolated homes. Some weavers work in small cooperatives, others in factories. Some get their wool pre-spun at the market, others even buy synthetics. But the artisans — the overwhelming majority of whom are women — share similar problems. “The money is not going to these ladies, for sure,” said Bouchra Hamelin of Al Akhawayn University, who teaches free marketing classes to Moroccan weavers and other artisans. “They don’t know how to write, how to read. They don’t have access to the internet so they don’t have access to customers.” Instead, Hamelin said, men with trucks have access to the weavers. A middleman tours isolated villages and souks, buys low, drives to the cities, then sells high. “He is the person making the money,” she said.

Women in some villages have formed cooperatives in a bid to bypass middlemen. An association of 88 weavers in Anzal, about 35 miles from Kourkouda, have been marketing their wares directly to tourists since 2007. Like all the weavers interviewed for this story, they speak a local language called Tachelhit, which predates Arabic’s arrival to the region. Even leaders of the group acknowledge that sales haven’t been stellar. The association’s treasurer, Zahara Ait Ali, said she’s only sold four carpets since the group was formed — a typical number, group members said — for a total of about $300. Still, she said, working through an association is better than going to the souk alone and haggling with a carpet dealer.

“The professionals in Marrakesh, the people who work in the bazaars, they try to drive the prices down,” she said. “In our region no one will speak out about low prices.” It’s hard to tell precisely how much of a cut the middlemen are taking. After all, concealing the wholesale price is the essence of the game. But a brief encounter with a traveling rug merchant named Mohammed Ait Tar offered a clue. Flagged down on a rutted mountain track, he showed off a load of carpets jammed to the ceiling of his tiny, diesel Citroen Berlingo.

He pulled out one plush, coffee-table sized carpet from a stack of rugs he said were woven nearby. What he did next underscored the warm hospitality visitors often encounter in this region, and also hinted at how little the piece must have cost him. “Here,” he said. “A gift.”
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/morocco/091022/moroccan-carpet-confidential
Courtsey of PCV Karen Christiansen
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In tagine, a taste of Morocco.
Give your spices the sniff test before using them in this spicy stew
By Carole Kotkin / McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS /November 11, 2009

You don’t need the conical clay pot called a tagine to make the Moroccan braise of the same name —a deep saute pan will do. But you do need fresh spices. Properly stored in airtight containers, away from light and heat (never above the stove), ground spices have a shelf life of six months to a year. After that, their flavor and aroma fade.

Give your spices the sniff test to see if they’re still fresh; if they’re not strongly scented, toss them in the trash. Purchase replacements in the smallest quantities you can find to avoid future waste. Most spices are dried seeds, stems, pods, berries, bark, roots, buds or fruits. Their flavors come from volatile oils that are released on grinding, so whole spices last much longer.

Whole nutmeg or cinnamon can be grated with a fine, hand-held grater. Small seeds like cumin, coriander, caraway and fennel can be ground in a coffee grinder reserved for that purpose. When you’re done, clean the grinder by running some fresh bread through it.

Chicken Tagine with Apricots and Almonds
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoon
1/3 salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, each cut into thirds
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
6 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
1 cup homemade chicken broth or top-quality canned
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
5 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
5 sprigs fresh cilantro
1 cup dried apricots, each halved 1/4 cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cups couscous
3/4 cup toasted blanched whole or slivered almonds
Mix flour, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cumin, turmeric and pepper in a ziptop plastic bag. In batches, add the chicken and toss to coat.

Heat oil and butter in a deep saute pan over medium heat. Working in batches, brown the chicken on each side and transfer to a plate.

Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic and shallot to the pan; cook 3 to 5 minutes, until beginning to soften.
Return chicken to pan; add broth and saffron. Tie together the parsley and cilantro sprigs with kitchen string and add. Cover, reduce heat and simmer about 30 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Meanwhile, put the apricots, honey and cinnamon sticks in a small saucepan with 1 cup water. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes, until apricots are plump and liquid is reduced.

Add apricot mixture to chicken and simmer 10 more minutes. Check and adjust seasoning as needed. Discard cinnamon sticks and herb bundle.

Place couscous in a medium bowl. Pour on 1x cups boiling water, stirring to mix. Cover tightly with foil and set aside 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Serve chicken over couscous, garnished with almonds. Makes 6 servings.
To complete this meal, a green salad and a loaf of good bread are all you need.
The seasoning is well-balanced by the citrus acidity, fresh melon and flinty mineral notes of De-Loach Sauvignon Blanc Ritchie Vineyard 2007 ($30).

Source: Adapted from “Memorable Recipes to Share with Family and Friends” by Renee Behnke with Cynthia Nims (Andrews McMeel, $35).
Per serving: 835 calories (32 percent from fat), 29.2 g fat (7.6 g saturated, 13.7 g monounsaturated), 204.7 mg cholesterol, 58.2 g protein, 85.6 g carbohydrates, 8.5 g fiber, 847.6 mg sodium.
http://www.buffalonews.com/185/story/857507.html
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Eat this! Zaalouk , a cooked salad from Morocco.By Leah A. Zeldes

What it is: Zaalouk is a traditional Moroccan salad made of eggplant and tomatoes, cooked to a puree. “It’s an authentic Moroccan dish that can be served hot or cold, says Chef Khalid Kamal, owner of Shokran in Irving Park.

Where it comes from: “Salads” in Moroccan cuisine describe a whole range of cooked vegetable dishes that Americans might describe as dips or relishes, and similar eggplant salads are found throughout the Mediterranean. Compare, for instance, Sicily’s caponata. Eggplants originated in India more than 4,000 years ago and spread to the Mediterranean and Africa from there. They were in common use in that region by the 9th century, but the tomatoes in this dish date it to after the discovery of the New World, and it likely came to Morocco from the Ottoman Empire.

What to do with it: “It’s a common side dish to many meals,” Kamal says, “and usually served as a dip with crusty bread.”

Shokran’s zaalouk
Moroccan eggplant salad
Chef Khalid Kamal

2 medium size eggplants
1/2 cup olive oil
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon diced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Bake the eggplants in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes. Peel the skin off and discard. Dice the remaining eggplant.
Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the tomatoes and garlic. Mix well, then stir in the paprika, salt and pepper and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the diced eggplant, cilantro and cumin. Cook for 5 minutes. Serve hot or chilled.
http://blog.diningchicago.com/2009/11/11/eat-this-zaalouk-a-cooked-salad-from-morocco/
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A taste of Morocco . December 2, 2009
By Jolene Ketzenberger jolene.ketzenberger@indystar.com
Local chef Anass Sentissi of Saffron Café shared these recipes for traditional Moroccan specialties.

Moroccan Honeyed Cornish Hen
Serves 2
2 Cornish hens
Lemon juice
1 large onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, diced
2 pinches saffron
1 teaspoon black pepper
Kosher salt to taste
1 tablespoon ginger
4 dried prunes
4 dried apricots
1 pear, peeled and halved
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon cloves
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Rinse Cornish hens with fresh water and lemon juice; sprinkle with salt. Rub hens with garlic, ginger, black pepper and 1 pinch saffron. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.
3. Pour 1 cup water in baking pan; add onions. Cover with lid and bake for 1 hour.
4. Place a saucepan half full of water on stove. Add saffron, cloves, salt, honey, garlic and cinnamon. Bring to a boil, stirring. When mixture has come to a boil, add apricots, prunes and pears. Simmer for 15 minutes; remove from stove and add mixture to pan with Cornish hens. Bake 5 to 10 minutes more.
5. To serve, place each hen in a tagine. Cover with one pear and honey onion; add sauce as needed. Place two apricots and two prunes on each side of Cornish hens. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Almond Chicken
Serves 2
1 whole chicken, cut in half (about 2 pounds)
1 pound almonds
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 onion, diced
1 tablespoon ginger
1 tablespoon saffron
1 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons distilled orange water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons raisins

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Rinse chicken well with water and lemon juice; sprinkle with salt. Rub chicken well with garlic, ginger, black pepper and saffron. Add onions, and pour water into the pan, cover with aluminum foil, and place in oven for 1 hour.
3. In another pan, heat almonds in water until boiling. Drain water and skin almonds. Add 2/3 of the skinned almonds, the brown sugar and orange water, and grind until it is a fine paste.
4. In a frying pan, roast the remaining skinned almonds until golden brown, watching carefully so they do not burn.
5. After chicken has baked for an hour, add the paste to the pan; add raisins and cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer. Serve in a tagine, pouring the thick sauce over the chicken; garnish with the roasted almonds.

Fish Kebab with Couscous and Sauteed Mixed Vegetables
Serves 2
1 teaspoon cumin
2 cloves garlic, ground in extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1 pound fish, cubed (such as mahi mahi, swordfish, halibut and sea bass, or a combination)
2 carrots, diced
1 cup broccoli, cut
1 cup zucchini, diced
Pinch fresh basil
Pinch saffron
Salt to taste
2 servings couscous, prepared
Chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish
Charmoula sauce (recipe follows)
1. Preheat grill.
2. In a bowl, combine cumin, garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning. Rub the fish with the spice mixture and additional extra-virgin olive oil; place fish on skewers. Grill fish until cooked medium well.
3. In a saucepan, heat vegetables in water until boiling; remove vegetables and drain. In a saute pan, heat a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil until hot. Add vegetables; season with salt and a pinch of fresh basil. Cook until tender.
4. To serve, place vegetables on one side of 12-inch plate, couscous on the other side, and place fish kebabs on top of couscous. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve with Charmoula sauce in a small bowl on the side for dipping.

Charmoula Sauce
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon paprika
1 pinch parsley
2 pinches cilantro
1 tablespoon cumin
Juice of 1 lemon
Extra virgin olive oil as needed
Red wine vinaigrette as needed
Salt to taste
1. Grind together the garlic, paprika, parsley, cilantro and cumin; add lemon juice. Add enough olive oil and red wine vinaigrette until mixture becomes liquid. Season with salt to taste.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20091202/LIVING07/912020314/1007/LIVING/A-taste-of-Morocco
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