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Moroccan News Briefs
Blog: The View from Fez - 28 August 2010
The 11th Jazz Festival of TangierThe 11th Jazz Festival of Tangier "Tanjazz" will take place September 22 to 26 with the participation of renowned artists from America, Europe, Asia and Africa.
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Ramadan: breaking the fast Pakistani-style
Blog: The View from Fez - 27 August 2010
During the holy month of Ramadan, there are traditional foods served for breaking the fast. In Morocco, f'tour (breakfast in Darija, or iftar in Arabic) is served after the maghrib call to prayer at around 17h30. It would not be complete without a satisfying bowl of harira, seasoned with a few drops of lemon juice. Sticky, sweet chebakiya accompany the soup. There are always dates, various breads, hard-boiled eggs dipped in cumin and milkshakes or fruit juices. Sweet mint tea rounds off the meal.
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Fear of 'Islamist" charities may hinder aid to Pakistan
Blog: The View from Fez - 26 August 2010
Here is the second of our View from Fez special reports from on the ground in Pakistan."Aid going to terrorist-funded camps." Variations on this headline have been appearing around the world; a majority of them head stories written by "experts" miles from the scene. However, the one quoted was attached to a story written by respected Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist, Sally Sara. Sara is in Pakistan and been covering the floods with energy and expertise.Her report went on...
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The View from Fez reports from Pakistan
Blog: The View from Fez - 25 August 2010
In the first few days, the response to Pakistan's catastrophic floods was far smaller than one might have expected. Countries around the world pledged aid, but it was far below what was needed, even for the initial phase of the disaster. In terms of what will be needed in the coming months and even years, it was far from adequate. Now, as the scale of the tragedy sinks in, the donations have increased substantially. One of The View from Fez team travelled to Pakistan, from where they sent this report.
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Coke still top of the pops in Morocco
Blog: The View from Fez - 23 August 2010
Coca Cola continues to lead the soft-drink market in Morocco, reports Euromonitor International.
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Public transportation in Rabat
Blog: See Simi Travel Blog - 16 August 2010
Don’t worry, I am not implying that you get around in Morocco by camel… although you could if you wanted to. Looking back on my experience in Morocco, one thing that really stands out is how easy it was to get around the country. And yes the camel ride was a definite highlight. This is the first of two times that I got to ride a camel. The photo featured here was of a tourist trap camel ride on the beach of Essaouira, my favorite city in Morocco. The other was a real two hour camel ride to a dessert campsite (more on this at http://seesimi.com/sleeping-in-the-sahara/).
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Ramadan begins in Morocco
Blog: The View from Fez - 12 August 2010
RAMADAN MUBARAK !Today marks the first day of Ramadan and the team at The View from Fez wishes all our readers Ramadan blessings.
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Opinion: A new second language for Morocco?
Blog: The View from Fez - 10 August 2010
Saïd Bellari, a Moroccan Dutch Psychiatrist, recently penned an essay for Moroccoboard.com which questioned the continued influence of the French language in Morocco. The essay, entitled "Morocco: Speaking the wrong language" is sure to raise the debate. The big question; will anyone take any notice. Ibn Warraq reports for The View from Fez.
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Fez man achieves UN award
Blog: The View from Fez - 4 August 2010
A young Fez man, Ilyas Bakouch, has been awarded a runner-up prize in the United Nations' Millenium Development Goals' World Summit Youth Awards with his website, www.donativa.com.
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Postcard from the Fes Medina – The Call to Prayer
Blog: The View from Fez - 2 August 2010
While in Fes for the Sacred Music Festival this past June, Jan Lebow, a regular reader of The View from Fez, penned this short essay about listening to the Call to Prayer in the predawn hours from the rooftop terrace of Riad Zamane where she was staying. It was such a haunting experience that Jan wanted to share it with others. Here it is:
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Morocco in Ramadan
Blog: The View from Fez - 2 August 2010
Is it difficult to travel in Morocco during Ramadan? Should you schedule your holiday for another time? What exactly goes on?
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Throne Day - Morocco's King congratulated
Blog: The View from Fez - 31 July 2010
On the eleventh anniversary of HM King Mohammed VI taking the throne, the king received a congratulatory messages from around the world.
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Moroccan Caftans - A Royal Parade
Blog: The View from Fez - 28 July 2010
Moroccan caftans (kaftans) are closely watched by the fashion industry around the world and now a new wave of both male and female designers are taking things a step further. As one male designer says "I am liberating Moroccan women with my designs". The old values are changing - gone are the full length dresses and the covered bust. New daring designs are making an entrance and it will be interesting to see how they are accepted. Here is a recent compilation of Royal Caftans!
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Fez rap music video to premiere in US
Blog: The View from Fez - 27 July 2010
A video of popular Fez rap group, Fez City Clan, is to premiere tonight in Somerville, near Boston.
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Moroccan Rugs - a Hit in New York
Blog: The View from Fez - 26 July 2010
Eric Shanks lives in New York but his favourite travel destination is Morocco's spiritual centre, the Medina of Fez, and he describes The View from Fez as "the best place to keep in touch with all things Moroccan" (Thanks Eric). So, last Friday when he opened the New York Times and turned to page 21 of the arts section, he was delighted to discover that the Cavin-Morris Gallery in Chelsea had an exhibition of Moroccan rugs. He visited, was impressed and emailed us to let us know.
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Moroccan-inspired swimwear shows in Brazil
Blog: The View from Fez - 24 July 2010
Sawf News reports that the Brazilian swimwear brand, Cia.Maritima, debuted its Moroccan-themed 2011 collection to a packed house during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim on July 18, 2010 in Miami Beach, Florida.
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Morocco's House of Poetry Award to Tahar Benjelloun
Blog: The View from Fez - 23 July 2010
The 2010 Argana International Poetry Award was granted to poet and writer Tahar Benjelloun by Morocco's House of Poetry.
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Morocco - The home of Morris Dancing
Blog: The View from Fez - 21 July 2010
There is a slow-simmering debate about the "English folk dance" known as Morris dancing. While some claim at is truly English, others say it is "Moorish". The View from Fez (lovers of all things Morris!), sent Ibn Warraq and his trusty team of researchers in search of answers. As you will discover, the Morris dancing men and women owe a lot, not only Moroccan culture, but more specifically, to Sufi ritual.
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Climate Change Hits Moroccan Fishermen
Blog: The View from Fez - 19 July 2010
Rising temperatures and more frequent heat waves in the Mediterranean are contributing to an undermining of fishing activities and the quality of fish caught. Mohammed Tafraouti reports for Middle East Online.Traditional fishing has become today a pressing issue as a sector which, if properly developed, could increase job opportunities and alleviate unemployment, particularly in coastal areas.
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The Burqa Ban - an update
Blog: The View from Fez - 19 July 2010
In a follow-up to our recent story (France to ban burqa) about the move across Europe to ban the full-face Islamic veil, the burqa, from public spaces, there have been some developments, with a clear message coming from the British government. Despite the most recent poll, which showed that 67% of British voters want a burqa ban, the British government says it will not be following France's lead.
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Fighting fundamentalism with circus skills
Blog: The View from Fez - 17 July 2010
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Are Islamists targeting Morocco's Amazigh Movement?
Blog: The View from Fez - 16 July 2010
Have the islamists become so embolden that they now have the Amazigh Movement in their crosshair? - Morocco Board News
