Stories about Morocco from June, 2007
Morocco: 72-year-old Activist Jailed for Supporting Prisoners
Moroccan authorities just jailed 72-year-old activist Mohamed Bougrine for supporting prisoners who had been jailed for “attacking values in the Islamic kingdom”, according to this Middle East Online article. The Morocco Report writes: “So wait a minute. This guy, Bougrine, who had been to jail before during the days of...
Morocco: Telecoms, The Blogging Grand Prix, and Reactions to Salman Rushdie's Knighthood
Blogging has indeed become a popular Moroccan pastime, with new blogs cropping up every day. Pointblog.com (fr), a self-described magazine of blogging, reports on the first Grand Prix des Blogs:” Une centaine de blogueurs marocains a participé au 1 er GrandPrix des Blogs organisé par le portail Bayn. Khadija Housni,...
Morocco: English Speakers
In the confusion of speaking different languages, are English language speakers losing their edge? Felix from Morocco has more here.
Morocco: GV Author Addresses Youth Conference
Morocco author Jillian York addressed a youth conference, organised by DABA, in conjunction with the National Democratic Institute's Morocco branch. The three-day event, which aimed at reevaluating political involvement in Morocco in the run-up to the 2007 legislative elections, also focused on building the capacity of young opinion leaders in citizen journalism skills, with an online emphasis in order to increase dialogue about issues of concern to youth.
Morocco: On Hip Hop Music
Moroccan hip hip music is here to stay, according to The View from Fez.
Morocco: How to bake bread in the medina
Ever wondered how so much bread gets baked so quickly in Morocco? A recent New York Times article on the furan, or community oven, explains how - and bloggers are quick to comment!
Arabeyes: The Power of Fatwas
The stir caused by a fatwa or legal opinion by an Islamic scholar, which allows women to breast feed their male colleagues doesn't seem to want to die down. Two unconnected Arab bloggers ganged up this week to express their disgust with such fatwas.
Morocco: Hajj and Vodka, Fez the Time Warp, and the Top Ten Reasons Why Maroc Telecom Censors
Wondering why Maroc Telecom censors? What brings hajj and vodka together? How can you go to outer space? Jillian York finds the answers to those questions and more in this week's Moroccan blog roundup.
Morocco: Hajj or Vodka
Moroccan Laila Lalami posts a clipping of a news article on a Hajj lottery, placed next to a Vodka ad. Muslims are prohibited from drinking alcohol.
The Great Walls
Walls are continuing to spring up around the world, writes guest blogger Sokari on Sabbah's Blog, who discusses new and old walls which separate Iran from Pakistan, India from Pakistan, Palestine from Israel, Morocco from the Polisario front, the Spanish enclaves from the rest of Morocco and certain neighbourhoods of...
Morocco: A Photo Tour
Ask any photographer - Morocco is known as one of the world's most photogenic spots. This week's post by Jillian York showcases photographs from all over the country - from the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music to the gorgeous gorges of the Dades Valley.
Poverty in Morocco, and a Moroccan Family Living in a Toilet
A major news article about a Moroccan family residing in a toilet sparks a discussion about poverty in Morocco. Jillian York reports from Anglophone blogs in Morocco.
Morocco: June Brings Blogging, Festivals, and a Reopening
As June rolls in, so do many other events across Morocco and the greater Maghreb. June 1 - Blog for the Maghreb Day, The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, and celebrity sightings - all in the first few days of the month. Jillian York has the story.
Francophone Morocco: Blogging for the Maghreb Arab Union
June 1 has been designated the day to blog for the Maghreb Union - Bloggers across the Maghreb have tackled the subject, posting videos, photos, and their opinions, and Moroccan bloggers are no exception. Hamza Daoui takes us on a journey through the Francophone blogoma to see what people are saying.
Morocco: US-Iran Hostage Crisis Relived
“The Iranian government has arrested and jailed a fourth person with dual Iranian and American citizenships. His name is Ali Shakeri and he is a California businessman and founding member of UCI's Center for Citizen Peacebuilding. I am starting to put more credence in the theory that is floating around,...
Is Ryanair's website blocked in Morocco?
This morning, MoTIC has posted that the websites of Ryanair, a popular low-cost airline which recently began offering flights to Morocco, has been blocked. Une partie de la censure de Maroc Telecom se fait pour des raisons économiques pour défendre ses propres produits (comme la téléphonie longue distance en bloquant...
