Stories about Morocco from March, 2009
Morocco: Different Names, Same Story
Despite outward progress, Morocco has faced a number of setbacks for press freedom over the past few years. Most recently, it was reported that Ali Anouzla and Jamal Boudouma, managing editor and publishing director of Moroccan newspaper Al-Jarida Al-Oula (الجريدة الأولى) have each received two-month suspended sentences and fines of MAD 200,000 (approximately USD$23,800) for "defamation" and "insulting the judiciary."
Morocco: Olympian Said Aouta Sacked
According to the Daily Maghreb, former Olympic champion Said Aouta has been fired from his position as technical athletics director.
Morocco: War in Shi'a Ideology
Moroccan authorities are aggressively fighting Shi'a ideology in Morocco, says A Moroccan About the World Around Him.
Morocco: Early English Writings
Moroccan blogger VOLVBILIS discusses early English writings on Morocco.
Morocco: On Poverty
A Moroccan About the world around him discusses poverty in his country in this post.”I discovered that indeed, twenty years ago, whole families in Morocco lived in caves; today, many more still do. It’s a reality most Moroccan city dwellers were unaware of,” he remarks.
Morocco: Casanegra
From Morocco, Cinema and Movies reviews Casanegra, a Moroccan-Norwegian production in this post.
Morocco: Cutting Ties With Iran
Early last week, it was reported that Rabat had chosen to sever its ties with Tehran, after a diplomatic spat between Bahrain and Iran over a statement by an Iranian official questioning Bahrain's sovereignty. Additionally, Morocco expressed resentment at Iran's alleged attempts to influence Moroccans in Europe toward Shi'a Islam.
Morocco: First Full-Time Arab Blogger?
Moroccan blogger Mohammed Saeed Hjiouj [Ar] claims to be the first Arab blogger to make a full-time job out of blogging, in an announcement on his blog. Hjiouj says he will also be writing a book on blogging.
Morocco: Travel Guilt
“Maybe people need to travel for the rewards of cultural exchange, new experiences and not for the bragging rights?” notes The View from Fez in a post discussing “travel guilt” during this economic crisis.
International Women's Day: “All women are queens”
Yesterday was International Women's Day, and francophone bloggers around the world used music, poetry and art to honor the beauty, achievements, and continuing struggles of women.
Egyptian -and Muslim- Girls between a Rock and a Hard Place
Egyptian women are trapped between who they are and who they are expected to be; they are required to live up to the expectations of their parents, families, colleagues, and later on, their husbands and children. In their attempt to meet those expectations, some of them feel that they lose touch with who they really are and the great things they can really do.
Morocco: Moroccan-American Author Releases First Novel
Over the past few years since her first book, a collection of intertwined short stories entitled Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits, was released, Laila Lalami has emerged as one of Morocco's best known authors. As few Moroccan writers' work is translated into English, and even fewer female writers', Lalami's books - penned in English - fill a gap in the connection between Moroccan literature and the west.
