Virtual Magazine of Morocco on the Web
Morocco Week in Review 
September 10, 2005

Some 142 American peace corps in Morocco.
Hurricane Katrina: Rabat sends USD 500,000 aid to Washington.
The European Commission Gives Morocco 133 million Euros.
Bulletin published in Washington praises reforms in Morocco.
Band brings sound of Morocco to Waterlow.
Bio-park project in Morocco
Bio-park slated for Temara.
20 new wetlands in Morocco.
Moroccan writers share how they transmit love of reading to children
US scholarships offered for Moroccan students.
Examining judge to hear case of computer worm creator 13 September.
Remains of four civilizations discovered in northern Morocco.
"Together against AIDS": caravan of young people in Morocco.
Italian circus performs in Morocco.
Number of tourists up by 6% from January through July 2005
All Moroccan schools to have Internet connection in three years.
Morocco to issue biometric ID cards.

Some 142 American peace corps in Morocco.
Washington, Sep.02

Some 142 American peace corps are currently serving in Morocco, according to Peace Corps director, Gaddi Vasquez, who was recently on a visit to Morocco, one of the 18 Islamic countries where the American volunteers are present. In 2003, we suspended our programs in Morocco, but we are committed at the time to send volunteers there as soon as possible, Vasquez told the press at his return from a tour in Morocco, Madagascar and Tanzania.

Noting that the success of the program is "undeniable", the Peace Corps Director said he discussed with Moroccan officials means to consolidate bilateral cooperation, broaden the program and send more volunteers. Thousands of young Americans, he said, devote two years of their lives to work among a foreign community, noting that peace corps are present in 72 countries with different languages, cultures, customs and traditions.

Since its creation in 1961 by president John Kennedy, Peace Corps sent some 178,000 volunteers to 138 countries to contribute to the implementation of infrastructure projects, health projects, creation of small enterprises, and English language and science teaching in villages and universities. Currently, 7,700 American volunteers live and work in collectivities in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and Latin America. Some 2,700 peace corps are operating in 26 African countries and about 20% of US volunteers work in 18 Islamic countries.
http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/general/some_142_american_pe/view 
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Hurricane Katrina: Rabat sends USD 500,000 aid to Washington.

Committed to helping restore the US Gulf Coast region in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Morocco has contributed USD 500,000 to international relief efforts in the Gulf Coast, reported MAP news agency on Friday. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation said, in a press release, HM King Mohammed VI ordered an urgent humanitarian aid of USD 500,000 to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The aid will be handed over by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, added the release.

The top three donors are from the Middle East, according to the US Department of State on Sept. 6. Kuwait has offered USD 400,000 million in oil products and USD 100 million in cash, followed by the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Each pledged USD 100 million.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9556 
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The European Commission Gives Morocco 133 million Euros.

The European Commission has recently decided to give 1 billion 460 million DH (133 million Euros) to Morocco for the continuation of the co-operation projects launched within the framework of the National Finance Plan for 2005. According to an official statement by the European Commission, the 133 million Euros to be given to Morocco aims at completion of six development programs for the continuation of reforms and modernization process in Morocco. This financial support lies within the scope of the euro-Mediterranean partnership, launched in Barcelona in 1995.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/188573 
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Bulletin published in Washington praises reforms in Morocco.

"Al Marsad AD-Dimocrati" (Democracy Watch), a new monthly bulletin published in Washington by the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID), devoted its second issue published at the end of August to the "successful reforms" carried out in Morocco in the fields of politics, religion, society and media. The issue published in Arabic and English specifically stressed the importance of the reforms made regarding the family code to ensure equality of rights between men and women.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/188407 
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Band brings sound of Morocco to Waterlow.
editorial@hamhigh.co.uk  02 September 2005 Andrew Brightwell

AN African music group that made the journey from Morocco to Crouch End will star in an ambitious night of entertainment. Gnawa UK claim to be able to heal your pain and give you a good night out in the process. The band will play the music of the ancient Gnawa people, the descendants of West African slaves in Morocco, as part of the Pleasure Garden party in Waterlow Park on September 22 and 23.

Susan El Moumni, the band's UK manager and wife of band member Mustapha El Moumni, said: "I met Mustapha and Boujemaa Bouboul when I went out to Morocco two years ago. "They then came and stayed at my house here in Crouch End for two months while they were on tour. Now Mustapha and I are married and he lives over here."

The Gnawa are considered to be mystical healers who invoke the spirit world when they play music. Their music has been compared to blues, drawing on the history of slaves who were brought by traders from other parts of Africa to work in Morocco.

Ms El Moumni said: "They use an instrument called quacaba, which is hit together and sounds like the sound of horses' hooves or chains banging together. "The lyrics are often about the lives of slaves, but when they play the music has quality which often induces trances. "Boujemaa is a Gnawa himself and has astonishing healing qualities, which he has used on me. "In Morocco, people will invite the Gnawa play in their homes all night to heal them."

Gnawa UK fuse elements of traditional Gnawa with modern influences and instruments. Ms El Moumni said that while Gnawa UK will be playing many of the traditional songs, their take on the music is unlikely to have quite the affect that it often does back home in Morocco. She said: "There are only four musicians playing at the Pleasure Garden, so I don't think it is very likely that we will see anyone falling into a trance."

o Pleasure Garden, in aid of GardenAfrica charity, will be on September 22 and 23. Tickets are £70. Please contact GardenAfrica on 0870 243 2346 or visit www.pleasure-garden.co.uk 

andrew.brightwell@hamhigh.co.uk 
http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/news/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=Newshamhigh&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=newshamhigh&itemid=WeED01%20Sep%202005%2018%3A01%3A24%3A450   
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Bio-park project in Morocco

The town of Temara, which has a population of 226.000 inhabitants, plans to launch a bio-park project, which will be called "Green Valley". Le Matin reports that "Green Valley" bio-park will be approximately 10 hectars and the access to the park will be facilitated with Rabat- Casablanca highway. The authorities of Temara said that this bio-park is "the first of its kind in Morocco". "Green Valley" will include different kinds of trees http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/187913 , plants and a greenhouse as well as a lake with various species of birds  http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/187913 . The bio-park "Green-Valley" will also have three types of gardens: an Andalusian garden, a French garden and an Eastern style of garden.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/187913 
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Bio-park slated for Temara.
22/08/2005

Temara, Morocco, plans to launch a bio-park project called "Green Valley". Le Matin reports the facility will cover approximately 10 hectares and be accessed from the Rabat-Casablanca highway. Temara authorities say the project is "the first of its kind in Morocco". Green Valley will include many species of trees and plants, a greenhouse and a lake with various species of birds. An Andalusian garden, French garden and Eastern-style garden will also be included http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/section/health 
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20 new wetlands in Morocco.

The Moroccan government has just carried out the designation of 20 new wetlands, which will be placed under the protection of the International Convention of Ramsar. <i>Le Matin</i> reports that signed in 1971 in Ramsar, this convention is an intergovernmental treaty which constitutes the framework of the measurements taken at the national and the international levelfor the protection of the wetlands. Convention has 133 contracting parties, which registered 1201 wetlands, which indicate international importance and represent a total surface of 105,8 million hectares. The 20 new Moroccan wetlands represent a surface of 243.260 hectares.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/187864 
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Moroccan writers share how they transmit love of reading to children: Moroccan writers talked to Al Sharq Alawsat newspaper about the relationship their children have with reading.
(Al Sharq Alawsat -- 06/09/05)

The scholar is not most satisfied by seeing thousands of books in his library every morning, but rather by seeing his children read. Hassan Nejmi, former president of the Federation of Moroccan Writers, says he has urged his oldest daughter to read every book relating to political structure in Morocco that she can find, such as those written by Mohamed Moutassim and Abdellah Saif. Nejmi says his younger daughter has a penchant towards thrillers. Her passion for the genre has led her to read every novel by Miloudi Hamdouchi.

The father thinks his strategy of having his daughters read what they like works for all children of similar age. The youngest daughter deviates most from the family's cultural tendencies by reading in Spanish. Rami thinks reading should be an impetus for asking questions Moroccan poet and writer Abdelwahab Rami thinks reading should be an impetus for asking questions, as written texts are not complete truths, but are relative. He instructs his children to read interactively and focus on how to use the knowledge in real life. He encourages his children to read books by authors such as Milan Condera.

Abdelkader Chaoui, a novelist and writer, thinks of reading as a ritual to practice all year. He notes, "I don't read anything in Arabic presently, as I am busy with the translation of a work from Arabic into French, which is taking most of my time. Writers busy with academic research read in a wavy way, according to climate."

Chaoui thinks writers always prefer that their children be like them or be a reflection of their intellectual and cultural concerns in all fields, calling it a logical and natural wish. The author feels some writers wish to find some of their personal attributes in their children.
Chaoui points out children have outlets such as television and street life that go beyond the influence of the parents. He feels the evening meal is the best time for parents to reach children.

Writer Alarabi Alharthi agrees with Chaoui and adds, "Encouraging children to read begins at an early age and it requires a good relationship between father and son. Teaching begins verbally through reading inherited stories. Personally, I have a programme to encourage my children to read: I read two pages to them every night, two pages before going to bed. We normally understand through reading the needs and penchants of the child."
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2005/09/06/feature-02  
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US scholarships offered for Moroccan students.
26/08/2005

The Moroccan American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange has launched a new edition of the Partnership for Learning Undergraduate Studies Programme. Le Matin reports Moroccan sophomores registered in Moroccan educational institutions face a 15 November deadline to apply for scholarships for a degree in the United States. The objective of the scholarship is to promote a better understanding between the American and Moroccan people.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/section/education 
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Examining judge to hear case of computer worm creator 13 September.
05/09/2005

On 13 September, the examining magistrate of the Rabat appellate court will hear the case of Farid Essebar, a young Moroccan suspected of creating the "Zotob" computer worm. On 26 August, the 18-year old youth was arrested by Moroccan police at the request of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The young man is believed to have built, in collaboration with Turkish accomplices, a virus that attacked the sites of Caterpillar Inc, the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau, the Associated Press, ABC, CNN, and The New York Times.
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/section/science-tech 
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Remains of four civilizations discovered in northern Morocco.
26/08/2005

The construction of the eastward Tangier-Oued R'mel highway led to an unexpected discovery on Thursday (25 August). Archaeologists from the Moroccan Institute for Sciences, Archaeology and Heritage rushed to the site in the Dhar Sakfane region to discover evidence of the Punic, Moor, Roman and Islamic civilisations. The archaeologists feel that the 1.5-hectare site was likely founded as either a small city, military post or trading post in the sixth century B.C. Roman items such as pottery, coins, ceramics and a fish-salting device are particularly well preserved 
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/section/science-tech 
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"Together against AIDS": caravan of young people in Morocco.

Organized by the Association of Fight against AIDS (ALCS), in conjunction with the secretariat of the Youth and with the support of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a summer caravan of young people has been going to the different cities of Morocco to increase the awareness about AIDS and the ways to protect against AIDS. The caravan has gone to several places in Casablanca such as Dahomi, Lalla Meryem, Sidi Rahal and Bouznika where they organized informative workshops on AIDS.
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/188685 
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Italian circus performs in Morocco.

The Belluci circus one of the top three circuses in Europe, has been performing in several Moroccan cities. Belluci Circus formed of a team of 50 people has performed in Tangier, Tetouan, Kenitra where they were well received by the public. "I really liked the show. It was fun and very well organized," said Malak, one of the spectators after watching the Belluci Circus Show. Athilio Bellucci said that they are very happy with the interest of Moroccan public in their show. The Circus will be performing in Rabat until October 3 and then in Casablanca, Meknes, Fez, Marrakech and Agadir.
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Number of tourists up by 6% from January through July 2005.

A total of 3.48 million tourists have visited Morocco from January through July 2005, say a rise of 6% compared to the same period in 2004. According to statistics released by the Moroccan tourism Ministry, Frenchmen, Spaniards and Britons come on top of the list with increases of 17% (802,870), 14% (189,565) and 18% (102,295) respectively. Moroccan expatriates, who were included in these figureds, amounted to 1,717,156 in the same period (-1% compared to 2004). According to MAP, the number of tourists from all destinations has posted an increase, with the exception of Portugal (-11%). In July alone, 1,273,561 tourists visited the kingdom, including 954,426 expatriates. The number of American tourists went up in July by 26%, Swiss
http://www.albawaba.com/en/countries/Morocco/188675 
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All Moroccan schools to have Internet connection in three years.
07/09/2005

All Moroccan schools will have Internet connections in three years at a cost of 1.2 billion dirhams, announced Moroccan Minister in Charge of Economic and General Affairs Rachid Talbi Alami. The final result will be 6m students -- 20 per cent of the Moroccan population -- having access to the Internet. A recent study estimates the potential amount of Internet subscribers in Morocco is more than 500,000, with only about 100,000 subscribers existing now. The number of high-speed Internet subscribers in Morocco increased from 2,600 to 60,000 last year 
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/homepage/ 
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Morocco to issue biometric ID cards.

Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou said Thursday his government will issue biometric ID cards to guarantee the credibility of the forthcoming parliamentary elections and help ease the administrative formalities. During the weekly cabinet meeting, Jettou announced that "crucial" laws would be enacted this year, particularly those concerning political parties. These laws will provide them with "a bigger role" in organizing and orienting citizens to better contribute to the country's development. He also expressed his government's willingness to take all necessary measures to guarantee transparency and credibility in the 2007 elections. Jettou also announced an array of measures that the government will undertake this year to fight all forms of corruption, especially among civil servants, and to modernise the public sector.
http://www.moroccotimes.com/news/article.asp?id=9536 
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