Stories about Morocco from August, 2010
Morocco: Hating TV Dubbed in Arabic
Moroccan blogger Mohamed Mouad explains why he hates television shows which are dubbed in Arabic.
Kuwait: Much Ado About Bu Qutada wa Bu Nabeel
The discussion continues on Kuwaiti blog Five One Eight about the Bu Qutada wa Bu Nabeel series which created a rift between Kuwait and Morocco. More on the story here.
Morocco: The Sublime Sufi Revival
The rhythms of a Sufi revival are passionately reverberating through the corridors of Morocco, and they are not going unheard, especially by the nation’s youth.
MENA: Kuwaiti Cartoons Cause Moroccans Offense
A popular Kuwaiti television programme has upset some Moroccan viewers, who say it depicts Moroccans in a negative light. The cartoon, called Bu Qutada wa Bu Nabeel, portrays Morocco as corrupt and its women as greedy, as they try to entrap the Kuwaiti male characters into marrying them. Bloggers react to the show.
Morocco: When Sarkozy “Proposes” a French Version of Ramadan
When Ahmed wrote his satirical blog post about a completely fictional announcement by president Nicolas Sarkozy intending to impose a French version of Islam on French Muslims, he never imagined his "story" would make the headlines of newspapers and mainstream media websites, not as the innocent prank he initially intended but as factual news.
Tech and Transparency in MENA: A Long Way to Go
Technology for transparency activists are making headway in the Middle East and North Africa, but greater access to both technology tools and skills and legal assistance is needed in order to maximize their potential.
Morocco: Fasting Versus Individual Liberties
For most Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan is a time of peace, of reflection, of family and faith. But for those who have given up on religion, Ramadan can be a difficult time, especially when you live in Morocco, where fasting is obligatory.
Morocco: The Ramadan Diaries
As the month of Ramadan begins, Moroccans share thoughts, reflections...even recipes. Jillian York has the story.
Morocco: English as the Second Language
Said Bellari, a writer for Moroccoboard.com, advocates the gradual eradication of the dependence on the French language, and the introduction of English as the official second language of Morocco. In his essay, he introduces a newfangled concept known as “disliteracy.” reports Nabila Taj.
USA: Deconstructing Media Coverage of the “Ground Zero Mosque”
The building of an Islamic community center in New York City, near the site of "Ground Zero," has polarized opinions across the media spectrum. In this post, bloggers share their thoughts.
Morocco: “My Summer With a Book”
In a world steeped in digital technology, and where tablets and e-book readers are getting cheaper and more accessible to a larger public every day, will there be a place left for good old printed books? For some Moroccan bloggers the answer is yes and technology is there to prove them right.
Morocco: Race and Racism
In Morocco, the discussion of race and racism is sometimes taboo. In this post, Jillian C. York sums up the thoughts of several bloggers, in reaction to a post on racism against Black people in the country.
Morocco: Fez Resident Wins UN Youth Award
A young man from Fez, Ilyas Bakouch, is the runner-up in the United Nations’ Millenium Development Goals’ World Summit Youth Awards, for his website, donativa.com, writes The View from Fez.
Morocco: A Benevolent Capitalist?
“Is there any such a thing as a benevolent capitalist?” asks Moroccan blogger Hisham.
Morocco: Petitioning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality
Moroccans are petitioning for the decriminalisation of homosexuality by the repeal of article 489 of the Moroccan Penal Code, which criminalises “lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex.” See more at GayMaroc [AR], or visit the Facebook group here.
