“The city of Dakhla, Morocco is a seaside town on the edge of the Sahara Desert and closer to Africa’s tropical forests than to the Mediterranean on the continent’s north coast, yet the climate is near-perfect.” —Michael J. Totten, World Affairs Journal, Photo: Michael J. Totten

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* “Morocco has invested an enormous amount of money in the Sahara to make Dakhla livable, not just by building infrastructure and housing but by investing in parks and a new promenade on the waterfront lined with palm trees… Everything seems to work. European tourists love the place for its outstanding kite-surfing, desert adventure tourism, and film and music festivals, and they bring a hint of cosmopolitan sensibility…” *

The Moroccan American Center recently took me to Morocco and the Western Sahara. The following dispatch is the result of that trip.  

Michael J. Totten.

Michael J. Totten
World Affairs Journal
June 30, 2014

On the West Coast of Africa, directly across the Atlantic Ocean from Cuba, is the region known as the Western Sahara, one of the few remaining on earth that isn’t recognized as part of a nation-state. It is administered by Morocco yet claimed by the Polisario, a guerrilla army hatched by Fidel Castro and Moammar Qaddafi that fought to take over from colonial Spain in 1975 and transform it into a communist state. The Polisario lost the shooting part of its war to Morocco, but the fat lady hasn’t even made her way to the dressing room yet. You wouldn’t know by walking around that Western Sahara is the epicenter of what’s often (erroneously) compared with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nor would you see any evidence that the cities, such as they are, were recently slums ruled by a police state.

You certainly wouldn’t guess, if you didn’t already know, that Western Sahara is still darkened by the long shadow of the Cold War or that the place still quietly bleeds from the unhealed wounds cut by Qaddafi and Castro, but foreign correspondents almost never go down there, and governments outside North Africa rarely give the problem more than a single passing thought every couple of years. Western Sahara’s citizens don’t know how to suffer in ways that stir activists or make headlines, but they are suffering. Tens of thousands are to this day held in refugee camps—which are really more like concentration camps—across the border in Algeria. They’ve been living in squalor as hostages in one of the planet’s most inhospitable places almost as long as I’ve been alive. Hardly anyone on earth has ever heard of them.

I flew down there from the Moroccan capital in early 2014 and could see from the air that I was about to land in a place no closer to anywhere else of significance on land than Ascension Island way out in the Atlantic. The city of Dakhla, my destination, is a bubble of sorts. It’s a seaside town on the edge of the Sahara Desert and closer to Africa’s tropical forests than to the Mediterranean on the continent’s north coast, yet the climate is near-perfect. The average high temperature in January is room temperature, and even in August it’s just 82 degrees Fahrenheit—the same summer high as in the mild Pacific Northwest. The cool waters of the Atlantic create a razor-thin coastal microclimate that spares Dakhla’s people from the infernal heat of the desert that broils alive anyone who dares venture far from the beach. Few live out in the wasteland. Western Sahara is one of the world’s least-densely populated areas. It’s two-thirds the size of California, but only 800,000 people live in the whole of it, fewer than in metropolitan Omaha.

[Continue Reading at World Affairs Journal…]

Michael J. Totten is a foreign correspondent, novelist, and foreign policy analyst who has reported from the Middle East, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union.

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King Mohammed VI’s decree also stipulates establishing a commission to take care of complaints against religious institutions. Photo: Reuters

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* King Mohammed VI’s decree prevents religious leaders, imams, and preachers from taking a public political stance and aims to curb against religious leaders “disturbing the peace.” *

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Al Arabiya News (July 3, 2014) ― The King of Morocco has signed a royal decree preventing the country’s religious leaders from participating in any form of political activity. King Mohammed VI’s decree prevents religious leaders, imams, and preachers from taking a public political stance and aims to curb against religious leaders “disturbing the peace.”

The decree called on all those who work in Morocco’s religious institutions to display “characteristics of poise, righteousness and prowess,” and prevents them from “practicing any activity” that seeks financial gain in the public and private sectors “unless there’s a written license from the government.” However, the decree excludes “educational, intellectual and creative works which do not contradict with the nature” of religious institution’s tasks.

The decree also stipulates establishing a commission to take care of complaints against religious institutions. According to the decree, those who work in religious institutions must “commit to the principles of the school of Maliki and the Ash’ari doctrine and the principles of the [Moroccan] nation while taking into consideration the sanctity of places allocated for holding rituals of the religion of Islam and the duty of wearing the Moroccan costume.”

[Continue Reading at Al Arabiya…]

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Morocco’s King Mohammed VI

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Maroc.ma (July 4, 2014) ― Morocco’s King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to US President Barack Obama on the occasion of US Independence Day.

The Sovereign expressed pride in the longstanding Morocco-US ties of friendship and renewed his earnest desire to develop fruitful and constructive cooperation between the two countries in all fields, in a way that gives a new impetus to their strategic partnership.

The King also affirmed his confidence that the “continuation of regular contacts and consultation, both at the personal and institutional levels, is likely to pave the way for joint action between the two countries, serving the best interests of the two brother peoples.”

The message further hailed the fruitful bilateral cooperation within various international forums, particularly at the UN Security Council, stressing Morocco’s continuous readiness to endeavor to coordinate the two countries’ stances on various issues of common interest, including on issues related to security challenges.

The King expressed warm congratulations and best wishes of happiness and health to the US President and for further progress and prosperity to the American people.

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Bank al-Maghrib will supervise Sharia-compliant banks as they open in Morocco. Photo: Davide Cesare Veniani/Creative Commons

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* A range of financial products and services will be offered not only to Moroccans within the kingdom but also to those living in countries where participatory finance products are available. *

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Magharebia, by Siham Ali in (Rabat, Morocco, July 4, 2014) ― Moroccan lawmakers just approved a banking bill that provides for the creation of Islamic banks. According to Minister-Delegate for the Budget Driss Azami, “participatory financial products and services can make an important contribution to the mobilization of savings and financial inclusion in Morocco.”

The move by the Chamber of Representatives on June 25th to approve the alternative banks had been expected ever since the Justice and Development Party (PJD) took office. The PJD had long underlined its commitment to the plan, in order to cater to the needs of a certain segment of the population and attract foreign investors. The cabinet in January took the first step by adopting the draft law.

The law covers the basic principles of Sharia finance, defines concepts, details the wording and scope of contracts and transactions, and outlines consumer protection measures and the supervision of participating banks by Bank al-Maghrib. A range of financial products and services will be offered not only to Moroccans within the kingdom but also to those living in countries where participatory finance products are available.

The MPs who spearheaded the bill said that it addressed a grievance stretching back many years. According to the leader of the PJD group in the Chamber of Representatives, Abdellah Bouanou, the aspiration of a segment of Moroccan society that hoped to see Islamic banks has finally been realized.

Some other lawmakers, however, warned against the idea of “halal” and “haram” banks. Mounia Ghoulam, an MP representing the Istiqlal Party, underlined that this way of thinking could spark a social revolt. “There’s no danger of ill-feeling being stirred up within society by the concept of halal or haram because Moroccans are aware of the services offered by each type of bank,” sociologist Samira Bakali countered.

Said Khairoune, the president of the Finance and Economic Development Committee of the Chamber of Representatives, pointed out that alternative financial products would also contribute to the growth of the national economy.

The introduction of Islamic banks in Morocco would help draw cash into the financial market, economist Mehdi Farayhi agreed.  Foreign investors are already interested in Morocco, he said. An influx of capital is expected from Gulf countries.

“Islamic finance has great potential in Morocco. The authorities just need to raise awareness of the services offered and train suitable staff,” Farayhi added. Rkia Raji, a 42-year-old employee, is among those planning to take advantage of the new banking services. “My husband didn’t want to take out a normal bank loan to buy an apartment,” she told Magharebia. “We’ve been saving up for years, but it’s not enough to achieve this goal. Only Islamic banks offer a solution for us,” she said.

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Under a July 1st royal decree, religious leaders in Morocco will no longer be allowed to engage in politics. Photo: AFP/Fadel Senna

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* “Morocco has adopted a multi-pronged approach to stemming radicalism & dissuading youth from foreign jihad.” *

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Magharebia, by Hassan Benmehdi (Casablanca, Morocco, July 8, 2014) — As part of Morocco’s strategy to confront extremism at the source, King Mohammed VI just barred religious leaders, imams and preachers from participating in any form of political or union activities. The July 1st decree aims “to preserve the doctrinal unity of the ummah, harmonize religious messages, and equip imams and preachers to combat fundamentalist ideas and preserve the tolerant nature of Islam,” said Abdenbi Aydoudi, head of the Moroccan Center for Values and Modernism.

The decree is also intended to protect religion from political use by Islamist parties, noted Khalid Adlaoui, a member of the youth wing of the Socialist Union of Popular Forces (USFP). The president of the Council of Ulema, Mohamed Yessef, compared clerics to “soldiers who stand guard over religion so that it is not affected by any foreign influence that might cause problems.”

“One of the tasks of this council is to examine ways of safeguarding the inviolability of mosques, which are considered to be nerve centers of society,” Yessef noted. Some imams in recent decades have been implicated in the indoctrination of young jihadists.

For example, cheikh Mohamed Fizazi, an icon of salafist takfirism, served prison time for inspiring the 2003 Casablanca attacks. Morocco has thus adopted a multi-pronged approach to stemming radicalism and dissuading youth from foreign jihad. “We do not have any figures for the precise number of Moroccan jihadists in Syria, but what is certain is that we are working in perfect harmony with the interior ministry to combat this phenomenon,” Habous and Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmed Toufiq said on June 24th.

“In the face of the growing strength of jihadism and fundamentalism within society, Morocco is mobilizing all Departments concerned by this phenomenon, primarily the Departments of the Interior and Habous,” confirmed El Bachir Ahid, a journalist specializing in religious affairs.

Thanks to institutional co-operation, “the Islamic affairs ministry has the means necessary to monitor virtually all 50,000 mosques in the country, including those located in remote and isolated areas,” political analyst Omar Belhaj told Magharebia.

Sanaa Maktaoui, a teacher at a private school, is among the citizens welcoming the move. “The promotion of violence, intolerance, hatred, and rejection of others is a red line which an imam should not cross under any circumstances,” she told Magharebia.

As part of the strategy to fight extremism in Morocco, the “Religious Guidance Support Plan” launched in June is putting instructors in places of worship to guide discourse. Some 1,300 imams-mourchidines (spiritual instructors) will provide religious guidance without inciting intolerance or hatred.

“Their task is to help and guide imams in mosques to preserve the fundamentals of Islam in Morocco, based on the Maliki rite, contrary to takfirism, which is constantly invading the minds of our young people,” Toufiq said.

The post Morocco Counters Jihadism with Religion – Magharebia appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

In January 2012, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI inaugurated a new government led by the Islamist Justice and Development Party, following the party’s victory in the early legislative elections in November 2011. Photo: Middle East Monitor

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* Morocco’s political experience has provided a model across the region, said Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane, despite challenges encountered following revolutions in a number of neighboring countries. *

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Middle East Monitor (July 9, 2014) — The Moroccan political experience under the Islamists Justice and Development Party coalition government has provided a model across the region despite the challenges encountered and tremors that followed the revolutions in a number of neighboring countries, Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane said. Benkirane’s remarks came during a presentation of his government’s achievements during the first half of its legislative mandate in front of the Moroccan parliament yesterday evening. During the presentation, Benkirane praised his government’s performance over the past two and a half years and described them as “reassuring and honorable.”

He remembered the “difficult conditions” under which his government was formed after the country lived the impact of mass protests similar to a number of neighboring countries, with the beginning of the Arab Spring in 2011.  Stressing that the experiment of the current government has contributed to “lift the country out of a phase when the streets were inflamed and succeeded in keeping the streets of Morocco quiet today.” Benkirane said that people and nations have interacted with the popular movement in the Arab world to varying degrees which emerged as a deep shift and raised fears about the government’s ability to ensure the country’s stability and achieve political, economic and social reforms.

The premier said that his government has been unable to comply with all its obligations to support the poor and thanked the Moroccans for their patience after increasing fuel prices.  During his presentation on the government’s achievements in field of women’s and human rights, female parliamentarians lifted banners demanding he respect women’s rights and withdraw his previous statements which some consider “offensive” while others felt “they were taken out of context.” In January 2012, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI inaugurated a new government led by the Islamist Justice and Development Party, following the party’s victory in the early legislative elections in November 2011.

[Continue Reading at Middle East Monitor…]

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Central square in Morocco, Jemaa el-Fna is a teeming expanse of vendors, medicine men & people plying ancient entertainments such as acrobatics & snake charming.  CNN

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* In July CNNGo travels to Morocco’s red city, Marrakech, to meet master craftsmen in maze-like souks, visit the playground of snake charmers and fortune tellers, hear storytellers cast spells over audiences, see spectacular views from the air, and visit a secluded village that resembles an exotic kingdom from Game of Thrones. CNN also sampled delicious local pancakes and a contemporary arts scene hidden beneath the city’s traditional façade.  *

See for yourself, in 4 new CNN feature videos on Marrakech

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Storytellers have been a fixture in Jemaa el-Fna for centuries. CNN

CNN, by Tahir Shah (July 9, 2014) — Wiry, wizened and dressed in a tattered old jelaba robe, Abdul-Hakim lives in a world in which fact and fantasy are blurred together through an ancient alchemy. Almost every day over four decades and more, he’s stood out in Jemaa el Fna, the great sprawling square that forms the heart of medieval Marrakech in Morocco. In cold winter rain and mist, and in the searing heat of the endless desert summer, he’s one enduring fixture, a constant force in a realm constantly touched by change. He stands there, knitted cap pulled down tight over a balding scalp, fingers gnarled and black with dirt, a face conjured from a weather-worn sheet of chapped leather.

As the muezzin’s voice radiates down over the long morning shadows, Abdul-Hakim finishes his prayer and steps out into the sunlight. Having given a blessing that begins “All things to the pious,” he claps his hands to gain an audience.  All of a sudden, the story begins: “There was once a woodcutter named Mushkil Gusha,” he says, his voice rasping a tale from the “Arabian Nights.” “A man who was as honest and kind as any other alive …” Within an instant, a halqa has formed, a sacred circle of souls. Pressed shoulder to shoulder, the listeners crane forward, as they do, day in day out, every day. For them, Abdul-Hakim’s stories are a kind of magical lifeblood, a wisdom and an entertainment all rolled into one. “He transports us to distant kingdoms,” says Malik, a shopkeeper from a nearby perfume stall.

“Only he can weave magic like this. I was brought up with his tales, just as my own sons have been.” The hakawati, the storyteller, lowers his voice, a technique to draw the listeners in towards him. He takes his time, feeding them the tale as though it were some delicious sweet. A stone’s throw away, a healer is setting up his stall. He’s dressed in the light blue robe of the Tuareg, his skin as dark as his teeth are white. From an old Berber chest he pulls out his wares — a clutch of ostrich eggs, a pair of dried chameleons, a jaguar’s skull and an assortment of vials and jars, powders and homemade lotions. Beside him is another medicine man. His stock in trade is sulfur and antimony, dried damask roses, and a half-gallon pot of lizard oil.

[Continue Feature Coverage at CNN…]

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More feature stories on Marrakech at CNNGo:

• “Photo secrets of Marrakech: How to shoot the Red City” by CNN’s Ali Berrada;

• “Marrakech: Souks & Moroccan pancakes — How to haggle over a cup of mint tea plus spectacular ways to see and escape Morocco’s beautiful desert gateway” by CNN’s Gisella Deputato;

• “What to do in Marrakech: 10 amazing attractions” by CNN’s Ali Berrada.

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Marrakech’s MMP+ photography and visual arts center is scheduled to open in 2016. Its directors hope it will attract millions of visitors. CNN

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Turkish chair turns a corner into a restful spot. Photo: Jacob Langston, McClatchy-Tribune

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* Look to Morocco for decor that is luxurious, powerful… Decorating with a touch of Moroccan design is like taking a wonderful summer vacation without leaving home. *

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Light is an essential element of the Moroccan style. Photo: Ricardo DeAratanha,McClatchy-Tribune

Hamilton Spectator, by Vicki Payne, McClatchy-Tribune (July 14, 2014) — Morocco — simply saying the name inspires images of an exotic and exciting location. I don’t know of a single other place in the world that has that same effect for me.  And I am not alone. Walking through the airport this week, I saw posters promoting the allure of Morocco. Casablanca, Marrakech — can you get any more romantic? Many of us will never have the opportunity to travel to this intoxicating land, but we can bring Morocco to us. Designers are using Moroccan furniture and accessories to create a look that is luxurious and to bring a touch of the exotic into our lives. The effect of Moroccan designs can be powerful and soothing.

The country of Morocco absorbs elements of surrounding cultures: France, Spain and Portugal. It is also strongly influenced by proximity to the Mediterranean, Africa, Persia as well as traditions of Islam. When all these cultures, colors and traditions mesh, a unique style emerges.  Color and craftsmanship are the two defining elements of Moroccan decor. The colors are designed to punctuate the surrounding sea, sand and sky of the country. Light is an essential element of the Moroccan style. Natural light floods into Moroccan homes. Lighting fashioned from metal, colored glass and wood creates a romantic mood within the interiors of Moroccan residences. Craftsmanship is evident in even the smallest accessory.

Textiles are influenced by lush, rich, beautiful saturated colors. But the weight of these fabrics is light and airy providing a sense of floating through space. The rugs are soft and patterned with tribal motifs or simple light-colored prayer mats. The furniture is powerful and alluring. The intricate use of mosaic patterns, inlaid with stones, shells, glass and ceramics are unique to Moroccan furnishings. Place a Moroccan table in a room and it demands your attention. Of all the reasons to love Morocco, for me it’s the furniture. Unlike some other design styles, it is happy to play well with others. Just one piece can accomplish so much.

[Continue Reading at The Hamilton Spectator…]

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Morocco and Spain have enjoyed good relations in recent years. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI held talks on Monday in Rabat with King Felipe VI of Spain.  Photo: MAP

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* Spanish King to meet Moroccan PM, will then inaugurate tourism training center with Moroccan monarch. *

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King Mohammed VI welcomes Spain’s King Felipe VI to Rabat. MAP

Middle East Online (Rabat, Morocco, July 15, 2014) — Spain’s new King Felipe VI arrived in Rabat on Monday for the start of his first trip to neighboring Morocco since acceding to the throne in June. The monarch, accompanied by his wife Letizia on his third official trip abroad, after the Vatican and Portugal, was met at the airport by King Mohammed VI and his wife Lalla Salma. They then headed to the palace for an official ceremony, official media reported.

Also present at the ceremony were the Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo and his Moroccan counterpart Salaheddine Mezouar. On Tuesday Felipe VI is due to meet Moroccan premier Abdelilah Benkirane and will then inaugurate a tourism training centre, accompanied by Mohammed VI, while his wife will visit a cancer research center.

The 46-year-old Spanish king took the throne on June 19, after the abdication of his father Juan Carlos, who visited Rabat in 2013. Spain ruled parts of Morocco and the Western Sahara during the colonial era, and still holds its two North African territories of Ceuta and Melilla on the Mediterranean, despite the longstanding objections of Rabat. But the neighbors have enjoyed good relations in recent years — Spain is Morocco’s top economic partner alongside France — and Madrid and Rabat signed a new cooperation accord in June worth 150 million euros, for the period 2014-2016.

[Continue Reading at Middle East Online…]

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King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid and Princesses Lalla Salma, Lalla Meryem, Lalla Asmae and Lalla Hasnae, on Monday offered an official Iftar at the Rabat Royal Palace in honor of King Felipe VI and Queen Letezia of Spain. Photo: MAP

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Entrepreneur Nora Belola manages operations in Morocco to bottle argan oil from the native argan tree and sell in Fortnum & Mason, before the tree-climbing goats devour the fruit. Photo: Fadel Senna/AFP/GettyImages

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* Doing business as a young woman in Morocco is surprisingly easy — it has a culture that embraces start ups, according to female entrepreneur, Nora Belola. “Morocco authorities are very supportive of foreign trade and the female workforce…” *

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The Telegraph, by Anna White, (July 15, 2014) — Nora Belola has gone back to her Moroccan roots, bottling and selling oil from the native argan tree in London department store Fortnum & Mason. The former Microsoft employee is working with a co-operative of Berber women to extract the rare oil from the hanging fruit – which were traditionally eaten by tree-climbing goats – and crush it. Used for scars and dry skin, it is made from 100pc argan oil, and was being sold in the villages of southern Morocco.

Entrepreneur Nora Belola. Photo: Telegraph

“I left my job working in the Microsoft finance department a year ago to focus on the business [Zeen Forever] and within five months had a stand in Fortnum & Mason,” said Ms Belola. “Argan oil was being used by the tribeswomen on themselves or being sold domestically but, now I am buying in bulk, it helps these women earn their own money, possibly for the first time.”  Sourced from the groves between Ounagha and the Atlantic coast, the cold-pressed oil is then flown to France to be packaged in the same factory that bottles Chanel to sell in the UK’s luxury market.

Doing business in North Africa has been surprisingly easy for the 34-year-old female entrepreneur, whose parents relocated to London before she was born to work in the hospitality trade.  “I am running a business employing women,” she said. “I can relate to them. My Moroccan heritage helps and I speak fluent Arabic, which is a real plus.” Culturally, Morocco encourages entrepreneurship and the export of domestic products such as rugs, artisan tagines, fruit, and now argan oil, which is also being increasingly used for cooking. “Morocco authorities are very supportive of foreign trade and the female workforce, although paperwork and health and safety have been challenging, as legislation differs enormously from the EU to Morocco.”

[Continue Reading at The Telegraph…]

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Morocco’s King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, held talks on Monday at the Rabat Royal Palace with King Felipe VI of Spain. Morocco and Spain have enjoyed good relations in recent years. Photo: MAP

* Spanish Monarch’s Visit Signals Morocco’s Regional Leadership Role *

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MACP (Washington, DC, July 16, 2014) — On Monday and Tuesday King Mohammed VI hosted Spain’s new King, Felipe VI, and Queen Letizia, in Rabat. King Felipe VI’s visit, his first to Morocco and third official trip abroad since ascending the throne last month, highlighted the strength of Morocco’s relationship with its close neighbor only eight miles across the Gibraltar Strait.

Morocco’s King Mohammed welcomes Spain’s new King Felipe VI to Rabat. MAP

The Spanish King was welcomed to Morocco on Monday by a 21-gun salute, in a ceremony attended by King Mohammed, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo, and his Moroccan counterpart Salaheddine Mezouar. King Mohammed then met with King Felipe VI and decorated the Spanish sovereign and Queen Letizia with the Wissam Al-Mohammadi — the highest state decoration of the Kingdom. The Spanish royal couple was also invited to an Iftar — the Ramadan meal to break the fast — at the Royal Palace in Rabat.

On Tuesday, King Mohammed VI and King Felipe VI travelled to Temara, a suburb of Rabat, where they inaugurated a hotel and tourism training center in the Guich Loudaya district. The $2.2 million project, carried out by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, underscored the Moroccan King’s commitment to the social development of Morocco’s youth.

In addition, King Mohammed VI announced during the Spanish King’s visit that Morocco has ratified a landmark fishing accord with the European Union that will allow Spanish fishing boats to return to Moroccan waters. King Felipe VI also met with Morocco’s Head of Government, Abdelilah Benkirane, and other high-ranking officials before concluding his official visit on Tuesday.

“The visit of King Felipe VI comes at an important time. In the past year alone Morocco has greatly strengthened a number of significant diplomatic relationships with neighboring countries in Africa and the European Union,” said former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel. “That Spain’s new King chose Morocco as his third official destination abroad — after the Vatican and Portugal — is a significant show of recognition of Morocco’s regional leadership role.”

Morocco and Spain, separated by a narrow sliver of the Mediterranean Sea, share a long history of diplomatic and economic relations. Spain is Morocco’s top economic partner, alongside France, and the two countries cooperate on counterterrorism, counternarcotics, and efforts to stem illegal immigration.

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King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid and Their Royal Highnesses Princesses Lalla Salma, Lalla Meryem, Lalla Asmae and Lalla Hasnae, on Monday offered an official Iftar at the Rabat Royal Palace in honor of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. Photo: MAP

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Photo: Josh Reynolds, Boston Globe

* “Chicken bastila is a treasure: a little phyllo packet dusted with cinnamon and sugar and filled with shredded chicken and almonds, seasoned with cilantro and saffron.” *

The Boston Globe, by Sheryl Julian (July 22, 2014) — If you have ever traveled overseas and left the tourists behind in search of a local restaurant, you know this perplexing menu routine: You sit down, get a menu, order, and an agreeable waiter tells you it’s not available. You order again, again not available. After the third try, you ask for whatever they have in the kitchen. And what you get is usually amazingly good. The menu seems to be a formality no one is paying much attention to except you.

That’s not exactly what’s going on at Moroccan Hospitality restaurant, the welcoming spot in Somerville. But the kitchen isn’t making some of the items listed on menu, and there’s a little confusion about what is available, more in communicating with some waitstaff. But when you get the food, it’s beautiful, richly seasoned, and made with care.

Moroccan Hospitality moved from Malden in June. It was there for three years, but sisters and owners Nouzha Ghalley and Amina Ghalley McTursh thought they were too far away from their customers, hence the move. The new spot has been decorated with glass and metal wall sconces that offer low lighting (too dim for some). Overlapping pillows along banquettes are covered in pretty silver, gray, and orange fabrics. Burgundy and tangerine paint is on the walls, which are hung with traditional ceramic plates, and lacy metal table lamps hold votive candles. A tray is lined with the small tea glasses you see all over Morocco, ready to be filled with sweetened mint tea.

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[Continue Reading at The Boston Globe…]

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Casablanca will compete with the two existing financial hubs in Africa, in Johannesburg and Mauritius. Photo: Financial Times/Getty

Maroc Press (July 27, 2014) — According to the calculations made by the Moroccan Ministry of Religious Affairs, Morocco will celebrate the holiday of Eid El Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.

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On July 30th, 2014, Morocco celebrates 15 years under King Mohammed VI’s leadership. Photo: MAP

* “Almost everything the new king did was revolutionary.” *

Anouar Majid, Director, Center for Global Humanities, and Vice President, Global Affairs, University of New England

Anouar Majid, Tingis
July 29, 2014

I remember, vividly, how unsettled I was when I learned of the sudden death of Morocco’s King Hassan II on a hot July day in 1999. Like many people around the world, I was glued to CNN’s coverage of the funeral, as throngs gathered to bid the seasoned monarch adieu and bury him in the mausoleum that houses his father and brother’s remains. Some six or seven years before, Hassan II had insinuated in an interview that it’s not a good idea for an heir to the throne to wait too long and that a king has the right to retire if he so wishes–exactly what King Juan Carlos of Spain did recently. I had the uncanny sentiment that such a smart man was sending a message about his own plans, although no one could have expected him to die that abruptly of a heart condition.

It was, however, in the aftermath of Hassan’s death that I knew that the political system in Morocco was more durable and resilient than many had thought. The transition happened without a glitch, as if it had been choreographed years ahead of time. The quiet and dutiful prince, Mohammed, was duly proclaimed king as the nation mourned his departed father. Mohammed VI hit the ground running to transform Morocco from a fortress state into an open modern stable democratic monarchy.

Almost everything the new king did was revolutionary, beginning with his public marriage to a dynamic working woman. He established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to compensate the political victims of his father’s reign and authorized the setting of the National Human Rights Council headed by a former dissident who had been sentenced to death. This were not cosmetic changes, but part of a long-term strategy to inculcate a civic culture in a country that had practically none. Morocco’s family law had already been rewritten to give more rights to women and their children, including the right to confer citizenship. Male absolutism, a feature of much of the Arab world, was being contained.

 [Continue Reading at Tingis…]

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King Mohammed VI delivers his address to the nation. Photo: MAP

* King Mohammed VI addresses the nation on the 15th anniversary of his ascension to the throne, taking stock of the progress and development in Morocco*

Maghreb Arab Press (July 30, 2014) — King Mohammed VI, on Wednesday in Rabat, gave an important speech on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the throne day.

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Full text of King Mohammed VI’s speech marking the 15th anniversary of his leadership:

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Morocco’s King Mohammed VI

“Praise be to God

May peace and blessings be upon  the Prophet, His Kith and Kin

Dear Citizens,

Today, we are proudly celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of my accession to the glorious Alawite throne. This annual celebration is ran opportunity for us to ponder on the state of the nation.

I do not want this to be merely a time when we take stock of achievements. However significant they may be, they will always fall short of the ambitions I nurture for my loyal citizens.

I would rather this celebration were an occasion to pause and reflect, in all sincerity and objectivity, on the positive as well as the negative aspects of our action in order to move forward confidently and resolutely.

I am not only interested in achievements, but also and above all in the actual, qualitative direct impact our accomplishments have had in terms of improving the living conditions of all Moroccans.

Whereas it is, indeed, natural for a person to pause every now and then to determine where he or she is going, such an exercise is even more important for the nation’s first servant, who is responsible for more than 35 million people.

Considering the sacred mission with which I am entrusted as the King of all Moroccans, each day and every step of the way, I consult others and give due consideration to matters before making any decision that has a bearing on the nation or the citizens.

Are we making the right choices? What things need to be sped up? What others should to be reconsidered? What major projects and reforms ought to be launched?

If a person thinks that he or she is always right, or that he or she does not make mistakes, then surely this will be a recipe for conceit and erring.

For this reason, I believe we must all ask ourselves: Have the accomplishments and the real progress made had the desired, direct impact on Moroccans’ living conditions? Does the Moroccan citizen – irrespective of income, social status or place of residence, whether in urban or rural areas – feel that he or she is indeed better off as a result of the major projects implemented and the reforms introduced.

By asking such questions, our aim is, in fact, to constantly improve efficiency and find the best ways to enable all Moroccans to benefit from achievements on an equal footing.

However, the fact that we ask questions and pause does not mean we are hesitant or unsure, or that we have no clear vision. On the contrary, the way forward is crystal clear, and our choices are well thought-out. We know who we are, what we want and where we are going.

Dear Citizens,

By assessing the state of the nation, we can gauge the progress made, using all standard mechanisms for that purpose.

Back in 2005, we made a similar pause and came up with the 50-Year Report to take stock of the work done and pinpoint shortcomings for the post-independence period, and also to assess expectations. The aim of that exercise was to devise more effective public policies.

Today, fifteen years after my accession to the throne, I think it is important to pause, once again, as a nation.

Moroccan as well as foreign experts agree that significant progress has been made in various areas in Morocco during this period.

Personally, I do not think anyone can deny that democratic achievements have been made. This is illustrated by the new Constitution adopted in 2011, by the freedoms and human rights system in force in the country and by the launching of the advanced regionalization project. However, the tangible impact of these and other reforms hinges on their actual implementation as much as on the elites that will give them concrete substance.

Nor can anyone deny that major infrastructure projects have been implemented. Could Moroccans – myself included – have imagined that their country would one day be home to the largest port in the Mediterranean? Or have the largest solar power plant in the world? Was it possible in the past for a citizen to take the freeway from Agadir to Tangiers, or from  El Jadida to Oujda?

In the economic sphere, growth rates have increased significantly thanks to the adoption of ambitious sectoral plans, such as Morocco’s Green Plan and the Emergence Plan for industrial development, among others.

It should be noted that progress in the above areas has not been made at the expense of human development. Across the country, beneficiaries of human development programs have borne witness not only to these projects’ direct impact in terms of improving their living conditions,  but also to their role in fighting poverty, social exclusion and marginalization in our country.

The question remains: What use have we made of this progress? Has it merely contributed to higher levels of consumption, or have we used it to promote prosperity for all Moroccans? To what extent has this progress translated into better living conditions for the citizens?

Dear Citizens,

I think the Moroccan development model has reached such a level of maturity that it is possible for us to adopt advanced, precise standards to assess the effectiveness of public policies and determine the extent to which they have a tangible effect on the citizens’ lives.

This achievement has been confirmed by the World Bank, which indicated that Morocco’s total wealth has increased significantly in recent years, thanks in particular to the substantial growth of its intangible capital.

Intangible capital is one of the latest internationally agreed standards for measuring the total wealth of countries and companies.

As I am sure you know, there have been various changes in the standards used by economists and financial specialists to measure wealth.

The total wealth of states used to be measured in light of their natural resources, then on the basis of the gross domestic product, which, in turn, is indicative of the citizens’ standard of living.

Later on, human development indicators were adopted to determine levels of prosperity and the extent to which peoples benefit from the national wealth. During the 1990s, intangible capital became an essential constituent of wealth. In 2005, it was formally adopted by the World Bank as a standard benchmark.

Intangible capital refers to constituents of wealth that are not taken into account by conventional financial approaches.

The reference here is to the measurement of a country’s historical and cultural heritage, social and human capital, the confidence it inspires as well as stability, the quality of institutions, innovation and scientific research, cultural and artistic creativity, the quality of the environment and so on.

Security and stability, for instance, are the cornerstone of production and the creation of wealth. Similarly, trust and credibility are key ingredients to boost investment. However, these assets are not visible in the total wealth of countries.

In 2005 and 2010, the World Bank carried out two studies to measure the total wealth of some 120 countries, including Morocco. Our country ranked among the top African nations, far ahead of some countries in the region.

Having perused the figures and statistics contained in the said studies, and which highlight the development of wealth in Morocco, I wonder, as do all Moroccans: Where is this wealth? Has it benefited all Moroccans or only some segments of society?

No in-depth analysis is really needed to answer these questions. While there has been significant progress in Morocco, the facts on the ground indicate that not all citizens have benefited from this wealth. During my field visits, I have noticed signs of poverty and vulnerability, as well as acute cases of social inequality.

Therefore, and in order to assess the situation properly and accurately, I call on the Economic, Social and Environmental Council to carry out a study of Morocco’s total wealth between 1999 and the end of 2013, in cooperation with the Moroccan Central Bank and the national institutions concerned, and in coordination with specialized international institutions.

The objective of the study is not only to highlight the value of our country’s intangible capital, but also to   make sure intangible capital is used as a key standard in the development of public policies, so that all Moroccans may benefit from their country’s wealth.

I hope this study will come up with an objective assessment of the situation as well as practical recommendations in this regard.

To make sure the study’s final report does not remain just words on paper, or a document merely for the media, I have decided that its findings should be widely disseminated. In this respect, I urge the government, parliament, all the institutions concerned and key players in society to study those constructive recommendations and seek to implement them.

Since the measurement of intangible wealth helps in decision-making, I want the census which will be carried out this year to include all types of indicators relating to Morocco’s intangible capital.

Dear Citizens,

I attach as much importance to improving the citizens’ living conditions as I do to safeguarding their spiritual well-being and to consolidating the Moroccan model for the management of the religious domain.

Based on the Commandership of the Faithful as a frame of reference and on the Maliki rite, this distinct model is the result of the thorough reforms we have introduced over the last fifteen years to promote and revamp the religious domain.

This model aims to protect the citizen and society against extremism, reclusiveness and ignorance by protecting mosques from any kind of exploitation, making sure they remain places of worship, where guidance is provided and literacy promoted.

This is exactly what the 2008 Ulema Charter aims for. We have further consolidated that Charter by the “support plan” for local religious guidance, which I launched recently, and which is being implemented by more than 1,300 imams across the Kingdom.

The key element of this model is the provision of enlightened religious training that is grounded in the principles of moderation and that seeks to preserve our immutable Islamic values while promoting ijtihad and openness.  Through this approach, we are making sure our pristine faith is consistent with our national choices and the requirements of modern times.

For this reason, the Moroccan model for the management of religious affairs has been commended both at African and international levels.

In this respect, we are keen to put the Moroccan experience at the disposal of sister nations that share Morocco’s commitment to the same spiritual values and principles, and that have expressed a desire to benefit from the Moroccan model in such areas of cooperation as the training of imams.

Dear Citizens,

Given the consistency and harmony between our country’s domestic and foreign policies, I seek to make the most of our democratic development model to further enhance Morocco’s image and standing  in the international arena, and defend its best interests as well as its just causes.

Considering the rapid changes affecting the world, I have sought to ensure that the Moroccan diplomatic approach is rooted in self-confidence, proactive thinking, realism and effectiveness. I have also seen to it that our policy is guided by a commitment to legitimacy, openness, moderation and respect for universal values.

This has made our country an effective, credible partner that is heeded and trusted. Working together with the dynamic actors in society, I have been keen to promote and consolidate our country’s standing at all levels.

As regards the Maghreb, I should like to say, once again, that I keenly look forward to seeing a strong union built on the firm foundation of solid bilateral relations and integrated economic projects.

I personally believe that disputes are not inevitable and that they are quite normal in all communities. Inside the European Union, for example, there have been disagreements between EU members, but the breaking point is hardly ever reached. What is regrettable in the Maghreb, however, is that a dispute is allowed to continue for the purpose of disrupting the evolution of the Maghreb Union.

Whatever the magnitude of the dispute, it should not, for instance, be used as a pretext for the continued closure of the borders. The situation is such that Maghreb citizens do not understand or accept such a state of affairs. Indeed, a number of people whom I met during my visits to sister nations wondered – rather perplexed – about the reasons for the continued closure of the border and asked that barriers between our peoples be removed.

My answer to them has always been the same: for more than six years now, Morocco has been calling for a solution to this odd situation. However, the response to all of Morocco’s constructive initiatives has been a stubborn, systematic refusal which is not only inconsistent with the logic of history and legitimacy, but also out of step with our peoples’ natural entitlement to human interaction and economic exchange.

As I pointed out earlier, I am keen to ensure bilateral relations are the mainstay of the Maghreb Union. In this respect, I wish to say how satisfied I was with the positive outcome of the visit I paid recently to Tunisia, and how much I appreciated the hospitality and warm welcome extended to me, both by the noble Tunisian people as well as by their country’s representative institutions. I was most touched by that warmth.

I am convinced Tunisia will forge ahead along a peaceful path, consolidate the institution-based state and achieve development and prosperity for the Tunisian people.

As regards the Arab world, the catastrophic situation in which several Arab countries find themselves is, indeed, a matter of profound sadness and concern.

The crisis in both Syria and Iraq illustrates the seriousness of the situation the Arab world is facing today – a predicament which is fueled by the politics of exclusion and sectarian strife. This situation compounds the humanitarian tragedy that has befallen the peoples of these two sister nations.

It is much more than just a regional crisis. This is a fertile breeding ground for the most violent forces of extremism and terror which seriously threaten the security of our countries as well as global security and stability.

Today, more than ever, we need a comprehensive Arab order based on economic integration and political unity and cohesion to turn the Arab world into an influential geopolitical force in the international arena – a bloc which is capable of defending crucial Arab causes.

The brotherly bonds and mutual understanding between me and the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council Member States, and Morocco’ special partnership with these sister nations are a source of deep satisfaction.

Regarding the Palestinian issue, I reiterate my strong condemnation of the brutal Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.

As a sign of tangible solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters in their ordeal, we were among the first to provide material aid to the victims of this aggression, putting Moroccan hospitals at the disposal of the wounded to alleviate their suffering in these critical circumstances.

I reiterate my support for all constructive international initiatives aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace on the basis of the two-state solution.

In keeping with our sacred mission to defend Al-Quds al-Sharif, the Al-Quds Committee, which I am honored to chair, adopted a series of sound recommendations during its 20th session which was held in Marrakech. They back the peace negotiations and call for the protection of the cultural and spiritual character of Al-Quds against the illegal Israeli violations.

During that same meeting, a five-year strategic plan of action for the Bayt Mal al-Quds al-Sharif Agency was adopted with a view to providing support to vital sectors through well thought-out projects in terms of time frame and funding mechanisms.

To bolster the steadfastness of our Maqdissi brothers and sisters on their land, I am particularly keen to ensure the Agency keeps up its action on the ground, provides the inhabitants of Al-Quds with direct, tangible support and seeks to meet their pressing needs.

Dear citizens,

I believe Africa is capable of revival.

Such an objective, however, will be attained only if Africa’s sons and daughters rely on their own capabilities. I wish, in this regard, to repeat what I said in Abidjan: Africa should learn to have faith in Africa.

I reiterate, in this respect, Morocco’s commitment to implementing a comprehensive, coherent policy  towards African sister nations, based on the joint development of resources, more effective human development and greater economic cooperation.

This commitment is illustrated by the visits I have paid to several African sister countries, as well as by both the number and the nature of the agreements signed, which lay the groundwork for a distinct, efficient South-South partnership that I would like to see rooted in solidarity.

I also wish to reiterate my commitment to multipartite and triangular cooperation mechanisms in order to forge balanced, mutually beneficial partnerships with countries of the North.

Considering the growing security threats – particularly in the Sahel and Sahara region – I once again call for collective action to deal with terrorist groups, which find allies in separatist movements, human trafficking gangs and arms and drug dealers because of their converging interests. These groups represent the most serious threat to regional and international security.

As Morocco naturally turns towards Africa, this does not mean it will do so at the expense of our country’s relations with its international partners. On the contrary, this policy will open up broader prospects for partnership between the North and the South.

In this regard, I do not perceive Morocco’s Advanced Status with the European Union as an end in itself, but rather as a milestone on the path towards strengthening the Morocco-EU partnership, which I would like to be balanced and equitable.

For this reason, Morocco is particularly keen to ensure the success of the current negotiations for a thorough and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU to serve as a framework for even closer ties between Morocco and Europe, as well as for the integration of the Moroccan economy into European domestic markets.

As well as consolidating its special relations with the European bloc, Morocco seeks to diversify and expand its bilateral relations with EU members.

As regards Morocco’s historical relationship with the United States of America, I should like to reaffirm my commitment to consolidating the strategic partnership with the United States, particularly by devising new mechanisms to support and promote the free trade agreement and continue our strategic dialogue with that country.

During the meeting I had with President Obama last November, we managed to give strong impetus to our partnership. The results are starting to show, be it with respect to our bilateral relations, or the similarity of views regarding regional and international issues of common concern, especially those relating to development and security in Africa.

To further promote our open policy and diversify Morocco’s partnership relations, I am also keen to strengthen the Kingdom’s time-honored ties with both the Russian Federation and the Republic of China – countries that I look forward to visiting in the near future.

I am determined to ensure that the economic aspects of Morocco’s special strategic partnership with these two countries are further enhanced and promoted.

Dear Citizens,

Thanks to the Kingdom’s sovereign, pragmatic foreign policy, we have managed to rejuvenate and revamp our diplomatic action.

Moreover, I have sought to ensure that all of the nation’s key actors are actively involved in defending our country’s best interests, particularly our territorial integrity, which remains our foremost priority.

As I have said time and again, the question of the Sahara is the cause of all Moroccans. This is a sacred responsibility for all of us.

In this regard, I call for greater vigilance and across-the-board mobilization. I also recommend that the necessary measures be taken to remain one step ahead of our opponents’ schemes.  Indeed, there is no room for wait-and-see attitudes, reliance on others or reactive behavior.

I also reaffirm my commitment to the autonomy initiative for our southern provinces. Once again, the Security Council, in its latest resolution, described that initiative as “serious and credible”.

In any case, we shall not put the region’s future at risk. That is why we shall carry on with development and modernization projects there, particularly through the implementation of the development model for our southern provinces. This model is based on a participatory approach, on good governance and on cohesive, multidimensional programs aimed at achieving integrated development.

Advanced regionalization will be introduced in all of the Kingdom’s regions, and first and foremost in our southern provinces. Indeed, regionalization makes it possible to promote local specificities while enabling the regions’ populations to democratically manage their local affairs in a country that harmoniously brings its regions together.

Finally, I should like to pay tribute to our Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the National Security Forces, the local authorities, the Auxiliary Forces and the Emergency Services for their constant mobilization under my leadership to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and preserve its security and stability.

I also remember, with deep respect, my venerated grandfather and father, Their Majesties King Mohammed V and King Hassan II, as well as all the martyrs of the nation, who made great sacrifices for the glory and sovereignty of our country. May they all rest in peace.

As a tribute to their eternal memory, we shall carry on with development and modernization projects to ensure all our citizens – wherever they may be – enjoy a dignified life in a secure, safe and stable environment, God willing.

“My Lord, make this a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits”. True is the Word of God.

The post Full Text of King Mohammed VI’s Address to the Nation Marking Morocco’s Throne Day – MAP appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

Ambassador Edward Gabriel discusses how the 15th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s rule has marked a milestone in the country’s political, social, and economic development. Photo: HuffPost Live

* Click here to watch HuffPost Live report on 15-year anniversary of Moroccan King’s reign *

Huff Post Live host Alyona Minkovski

HuffPost Live, World Brief (Washington, DC, July 30, 2014) — Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel, former US Ambassador to Morocco (1997-2001), was interviewed live today on Huff Post Live “World Brief with @AlyonaMink,” hosted by Alyona Minkovski.

Ambassador Gabriel spoke about Morocco’s annual Throne Day celebration, and in particular, how this 15th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s rule marks a milestone in the continued political, social, and economic development of the country. Gabriel added that “Morocco and the King are on an irreversible path towards democracy, liberalization, openness, reform, and stability.” Gabriel outlined some of the many reforms and increased rights which have been extended and expanded consistently for the last 15 years, and expressed op.

Huff Post Live “World Brief with @AlyonaMink

The post Interview: Ambassador Ed Gabriel on ‘World Brief w/ @AlyonaMink’ – HuffPost Live appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

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Driss El Yazami, president of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council, was interviewed on Thursday, July 31 on “Charlie Rose.” Bloomberg TV

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 * Click here to watch Morocco’s Driss El Yazami interviewed on “Charlie Rose” *

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“Charlie Rose,” Bloomberg TV (New York, New York, July 31, 2014) — Driss El Yazami, president of Morocco’s National Human Rights Council, was interviewed on Thursday, July 31 on “Charlie Rose,” discussing Morocco’s considerable progress on human rights and the path left to be travelled.

Yazami said that he made a recent appeal to the Moroccan parliament, asking that they work faster on continuing reforms.  He reported that while human rights have improved, “there is still a long way to go.”

(Source: Bloomberg)

The post (Video) Interview: Driss El Yazami, Morocco’s National Human Rights Council on “Charlie Rose” appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

“A Gendered Approach To Countering Violent Extremism: Lessons Learned From Women In Peace-building and Conflict Prevention Applied Successfully In Bangladesh and Morocco,” a Brookings Federal Executive Fellow paper by Krista London Couture, Office of the Director of National Intelligence/National Counterterrorism Center, July 30, 2014. Image: Brookings

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SERIES: Federal Executive Fellows Policy Papers | Number 20 of 20

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* “Morocco’s successful counterterrorism approach over the last decade is an exception in the Arab world…  Integration of women in Morocco’s counterterrorism efforts was a strategic decision to ensure the long-term sustainability, development, and efficacy of the nation’s CVE strategy… The King opted for social liberalization, introducing a renaissance of Morocco’s moderate Islam belief system. He also established the mourchidate program in which women are trained to work as female imams with vulnerable populations… promoting religious moderation and tolerance with the objective of curbing radicalization.  This program has been hugely successful.  Fifty mourchidates were trained and certified in 2005, and as of 2014, there were more than 500.”

Krista Couture, Brookings.

Krista Couture
Brookings Institution
July 30, 2014

As the United States and world transition from a reflexive and hard approach in counterterrorism to a more reflective and soft one for the prevention of terrorism, the search for best practices and lessons learned is more critical than ever. While programming related to countering violent extremism (CVE) continues to grapple with the adoption of official definitions, priorities, evaluation methodologies, and qualitative and quantitative metrics, there is a growing awareness of the importance of harnessing female actors as positive, operational agents of change. Women continue to be an underutilized and under-tapped resource in the fight against extremism. This research identifies best practices through lessons learned from efforts that utilize women to encouragingly affect catalysts and circumstances that drive individuals to engage in terrorism.

The empowerment of women not only makes practical sense, but also is a good investment in economics, business, and counterterrorism. In micro lending, for every $1US a woman earns, she reinvests 90 percent back into her family and/or community; men re-invest only 40 percent. When a woman has an education, she marries on average four years later, enters into non-abusive relationships, and has 2.2 children who are healthier and better educated. Extremism is most effectively countered through increased education, better critical thinking, and enhanced opportunities. These empowerment scenarios and positive outcomes become manifest in the impact a woman has within her family and community. In the words of former Secretary to the United Nations Kofi Annan, “There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole—women and men alike—than the one which involves women as central players.”

“If you train a man, you train one person. If you train a woman, you train an entire community.”

— Fatima Nezza, Moroccan Mourchidate (female imam) in Rabat, Morocco

Women attend congress of Morocco’s ruling Party of Justice & Development. Photo: Reuters/stringer

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While originally intended to only bring awareness of the role of women in preventing terrorism, this research reveals several additional important findings. Most notably, as is the case with their impact on peace and stability, women play a critical role in the security realm, and CVE is no exception. Empowering women in culturally and country-specific ways enables them to be valuable players in the extremism paradigm.

[Continue Reading at Brookings…]

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Click here to download PDF of full paper

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Krista London Couture is a Brookings Federal Executive Fellow, and serves at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence/National Counterterrorism Center.

The post A Gendered Approach To Countering Violent Extremism – Brookings, Krista Couture appeared first on Morocco On The Move.

Morocco’s Economic, Social and Environmental Council on July 24th adopted a scheme to improve technology use in schools. Photo: AFP/Abdelhak Senna

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* A new report out of Morocco calls on schools to use technology to promote culture in the classroom. “As the Economic, Social & Environmental Council highlighted so well,” said 20-year-old legal science grad Hala Chikhi, ”we need to promote a clear strategy to foster digital culture in Morocco and develop subject-specific websites that offer young people textual & audio-visual content that supplements the knowledge they gain at school and university.”

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Magharebia, by Siham Ali (Rabat, Morocco, August 4, 2014) — A new report out of Morocco calls on schools to use technology to promote culture in the classroom. The objective is to encourage pupils to be creative and develop their individual and collective abilities, enabling them to take a critical approach to culture and create cultural output themselves, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) said.

The council on July 24th adopted a report aimed at enacting a partnership between the private and public sectors to improve training and education as they pertain to new technologies, MAP reported. It noted that there was an obvious interaction between schools, technology and culture and that it was difficult to imagine an education system without a cultural basis or to fully consider the slow speed of cultural change compared with the incredibly rapid development of new technologies.

It is for this reason that the council has decided to pay “particular attention to the cultural roles that education and schools can play in a context of continual change generated by new technologies as tools for learning and the acquisition of knowledge, and as new types of mediation to produce cultural processes and practices.”

Among CESE’s recommendations was the need to suggest ways in which young learners can derive maximum benefit from the environment into which they are born, where all the knowledge of the world is available at the click of a mouse. “What should we teach them to make sure they do not get lost in cyberspace and do not lose their culture and their intellectual heritage? How can we harness the wonderful potential of these tools to help them to learn better and enter a globalized world without losing their identity?” the report asked.

Fatima Tajini, a sociologist, said that promoting culture in schools was very important and likely to have a positive effect on society. According to Tajini, children should be taught how to use ICT properly from an early age so that they do not go too far and are not indoctrinated by extremists or outsiders. “The exploitation of the Internet by extremists requires governments to think about how they can immunize young people and children against radical and backward thinking,” she told Magharebia.

Many young people highlighted the need to pay particular attention to culture and new technologies in schools. Hamza Zainoubi, a 19-year-old student, said that children and young people were left to their own devices when it came to the massive amount of information online.

“If we introduce a well thought out ICT curriculum in schools, this will be as beneficial for society as it will be for pupils,” he said. This view was shared by Hala Chikhi, a 20-year-old legal science graduate. The education system in Morocco, and public schools in particular, pays little attention to promoting culture through new technologies even though this is an extremely important issue and could arouse children’s curiosity, she explained.

“As the Economic, Social and Environmental Council highlighted so well in its report, we need to promote a clear strategy to foster digital culture in Morocco and develop subject-specific websites that offer young people textual and audio-visual content that supplements the knowledge they gain in school and at university,” she said.

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Left to right: Dr. J. Peter Pham, Africa Center director; H.E. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Minister of industry, trade, investment, & the digital economy for the Kingdom of Morocco; Mohamed El Kettani, chairman & CEO of Attijariwafa Bank; Karim Hajji, CEO of Casablanca Stock Exchange; Nabil Habayeb, GE’s president & CEO of Middle East, North Africa and Turkey; H.E. Moustapha Ben Barka, Minister of industry & investment promotion for Republic of Mali. Photo: Atlantic Council

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* A new report finds that Morocco, a bastion of stability on the doorstep of an often-turbulent continent, is a rising economic power. With burgeoning economic and commercial links—across the continent and beyond—and expanding contributions to regional political stability and security, Morocco is an especially attractive portal for investment and a significant US partner in Africa. *

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Morocco’s Minister of Industry, Trade, Investment, and the Digital Economy, Moulay Hafid Elalamy. Photo: Atlantic Council

Atlantic Council (Washington, DC, August 5, 2014) ― The US-Africa Leaders Summit—designed to foster deeper economic and diplomatic ties between the United States and African governments and businesses—began on August 4. Consonant with the summit’s objective, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted an event marking the release of its new Issue in Focus report, “Morocco’s Emergence as a Gateway to Business in Africa.” The report was coauthored by Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham and Senior Fellow Ricardo René Larémont.

Atlantic Council CEO and President Frederick Kempe opened the event with welcoming remarks, during which he spoke about the Atlantic Council’s links to Morocco and also thanked Council Board Director Ahmed Charai for his support of the Africa Center’s work on the country and, specifically, the new study. Pham then presented the report and moderated the ensuing panel discussion. The panel featured H.E. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, minister of industry, trade, investment, and the digital economy for the Kingdom of Morocco, Mohamed El Kettani, chairman and CEO of Attijariwafa Bank, Karim Hajji, CEO of the Casablanca Stock Exchange, Nabil Habayeb, GE’s president and CEO of Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, and H.E. Moustapha Ben Barka, minister of industry and investment promotion for the Republic of Mali.

Several themes that echoed the report’s findings emerged during the panel discussion. All speakers agreed that the perception of Africa as a uniquely difficult and unrewarding place to do business is inaccurate and should change. Several noted the continent’s remarkable human and natural resources wealth, while others spoke of Morocco’s sophisticated financial services sector and strong and rewarding commercial ties with Europe, North America, sub-Saharan Africa, and beyond.

[Continue Reading at The Atlantic Council…]

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* Click here to download a copy of the new Issue in Focus report:

“Morocco’s Emergence as a Gateway to Business in Africa.”

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Map: Morocco On The Move

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