Stories about Morocco from October, 2008
How to Drive in Morocco
From Warp to Weft writes some rules on how to drive in Morocco.
Morocco: Halloween Not Just for Expats Anymore
The Halloween tradition is a muddled one; with traditions in an ancient Celtic celebration, Halloween started in Europe and made its way to the United States, where it has been embraced as a holiday for children. In recent years, however, the American version of Halloween has spread to the rest of the world, with Morocco being no exception.
BOBs: Global Videobloggers Compete for Award Part 1
The BOBs, Deutsche Welle's yearly contest for online products: blogs, podcasts and videoblogs has already chosen 176 nominees for the 16 different categories. In the video blogging category, participants from different parts of the world compete for the honor to be considered the best in their group, and voters will have until November 26th to choose their favorite.
Morocco: Habib Belkacem, Producer Extraordinaire
Cinema and Movies talks about female Moroccan film producer Habiba Belkacem.
Morocco: Barça Fan Jailed for Superlative Statement
Many bloggers were shocked last week to learn that a young Moroccan man had been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for what seemed like such a minor "crime." The young man, a Barça (FC Barcelona, a soccer team) fan, allegedly wrote “God, Nation, Barça” on the blackboard at his school. Morocco's motto is "God, Nation, King."
Morocco: Tangier Experiences Massive Flooding
For the past few years, Morocco has been experiencing a significant drought. Unfortunately, recent rain storms have brought little relief, as Northern Morocco experiences massive flooding, claiming the lives of at least 13 people. The View From Fez recently reported on the floods: Thirteen people have been killed in northern...
Morocco: 8th Marrakech international film festival
“The 8th Marrakech international film festival (FIFM) will pay tribute to two world-famous actresses, American Sigoureney Weaver and Asian Michelle Yeoh. The festival runs from November 14th to 22nd,” says The View from Fez, in Morocco.
Blogging Rural Morocco: Peace Corps Volunteers
Morocco has an active and healthy blogosphere. Bloggers write in Arabic, French, English, Spanish, and Amazigh, covering a wide range of topics and issues. The one negative about the Moroccan "blogoma," however, is that the majority of its adherents are clustered within major cities (Casablanca, Rabat, Fez) and abroad; little is blogged about the rural areas. That's where the Peace Corps and Fulbright bloggers come in; as many are stationed in remote areas of Morocco, they are able to paint a picture of the other side of life in the country.
Morocco: Reassessing Online Activities
Myrtus, from Morocco, is reassessing her online presence. Click on the link to find out why.
Morocco: Beni Znassen Mountains
From Morocco, Hassi Milli shares scenes from the Beni Znassen mountains.
Arabeyes: Mickey Mouse Must Die..or Maybe Not
Mickey Mouse must die, declared a Saudi cleric in a television interview. Or perhaps that is not exactly what he said. Regardless, the interview found its way to television screens and newspaper headlines around the world and bloggers are at loggerheads with the issue. Did the cleric literally mean that Mickey Mouse must die or was it just another ploy to sensationalise and poke fun of anything an Arab and a Muslim utters?
Global: Babbling Doll Offensive to American Parents
If you think that the incomprehensible sounds babies make mean nothing, think again. Keeping up with the times, the blogopshere is abuzz over Fisher-Price’s Baby Cuddle and Coo doll, which allegedly proclaims: "Islam is the light." Parents in the US are outraged and some shops have even pulled the 'offensive' doll off the shelves.
Moroccans for Obama?
"When the Americans are getting ready to elect a president, the whole world holds its breath," writes Moroccon blogger, Robin des Blogs [Fr]. It's a sentiment held by many around the world, but some Moroccon netizens aren't sure which outcome--an Obama or a McCain presidency--would be best for Morocco.
USA: “Obsession” Anti-Islam Film Angers Bloggers
Last week, many newspaper subscribers across the United States were surprised to discover a DVD inserted into their Sunday paper. The video, which can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube, is entitled "Obsession: Radical Islam's War With the West" and portends to compare the threat of radical Islamism with that of Nazi Germany prior to World War II.
Morocco: Film Festival in Tribute to Youssef Chahine
Daily Maghreb reports that this year's Marrakesh film festival will pay tribute to British cinema and honor recently deceased director Youssef Chahine.
Arabeyes: Here Comes the One-Eye Veil
From a veil which covers the face but allows women to show their two eyes, an Islamic scholar from Saudi Arabia is now calling for a veil which shows one eye only. Bloggers from the Arab world react.
Morocco: Fez to Host Ronaldinho and Zidane
The View from Fez reports that the city of Fez will host UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors and celebrity footballers Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane for a Match Against Poverty.
Morocco: New Spike Lee Film
Moroccan blogger Allal El Alaoui of cinema and movies writes a critique of Spike Lee's upcoming film.