The Muslim world I found in Morocco: not what I expected from the January 13, 2004 edition By Allen Fromherz

The week before I left for Morocco on a Fulbright Scholarship, I told concerned friends that I would call myself "a Canadian" rather than an American. The Muslim world I expected was one where modernism and America were shunned. Jews were seen universally as evil. I would have to watch my back in the streets.

But I did not experience the Muslim world I had anticipated.

On a typical morning in Morocco, I would hear parents worrying about their children's education, a man hoping for a brighter future with his new banana business, and a group of beggars waiting eagerly for the couscous provided by worshipers at the local mosque.

Then there was the old Jewish nurse that my friend Nabil called her "grandmother." She had returned from Israel to her home in the Mellah, the Jewish quarter in Morocco.

As an American, I was targeted - not to test me or harm me, but rather to invite me to dinner. At first, I was concerned that my hosts would have a different reaction once I said that I was an American.  MORE

    Morocco's miracle mule 'confirmed'
Monday, 4 November, 2002
DNA tests have confirmed that a Moroccan mule did give birth to a foal. Veterinary experts say the foal's father was a donkey and its mother a true mule...............

    Morocco's miracle mule
Wednesday, 2 October, By the BBC's Katty Kay
A mule has given birth to a male foal in a hamlet deep in rural Morocco. No big deal, you may think, but in fact the birth was a minor scientific miracle. A mule is the hybrid of a horse and a donkey and should be sterile -except in this instance.

    In pictures: Moroccan marriage celebration.
Saturday, 13 July, 2002, 06:33 GMT 07:33 UK
In Morocco's first public celebration of a royal wedding, thousands of well-wishers from all over the kingdom thronged the streets to congratulate King Mohammed VI on his marriage to 24-year-old Salma Bennani.....

    Royal revels to mark King's marriage.
Saturday, 13 July, 2002, 02:13 GMT 03:13 UK By Stephanie Irvine BBC correspondent in Rabat
The festivities to mark the king's marriage began with the Royal Guard, mounted on horseback and in white robes and turbans. They led a procession from one of the old gates in the city walls, past the crowds lining the central streets, and into the grounds of the Royal Palace. .....

    Moroccan playboy king's wedding marks a new era.
By Philip Jacobson in Rabat (Filed: 24/03/2002)
WHEN Moroccans opened their newspapers last Thursday, they could hardly believe their eyes. Across their front pages were large photographs of the striking young redhead who that afternoon would become the bride of their monarch, King Mohamed VI, at a low-key family ceremony behind closed doors in the Royal Palace in Rabat.....

    Hardworking Upper Darby senior living his American dream with football honors.
Posted on Wed, Feb. 27, 2002 By Shannon Ryan, Inquirer Suburban Staff, The Philadelphia Inquirer
Rachid Stoury, an immigrant from Morocco, said his family taught him how to succeed.

    King of cool loses his touch with the common people.
By Harry de Quetteville in Rabat (Filed: 21/04/2001)
MOROCCO'S King Mohammed VI is more celebrity than monarch. Young, good-looking and fashion conscious, he prefers sharp suits and wrap-around sunglasses to flowing robes and a fez.

    Morocco's 'king of the poor' reveals selfish face.
Giles Tremlett in Madrid Sunday November 4, 2001  The Observer
Once he was known as the King of the Poor, but when Morocco's King Mohamed VI arrived in the Western Saharan town of Dajla last week he needed four Hercules transport aircraft to carry the sumptuous trappings of his royal household.

    Henna tattoo allergy link.
Wednesday, 15 August, 2001
Some henna tattoos could cause a lifelong allergy to a common chemical found in dyes, warn scientists.

   Berbers: The Proud Raiders.
They call themselves Amazigh, the proud raiders. But most people know them as Berbers.  For millennia, the Berbers of North Africa fought against Roman, Arab and French invaders. And, despite a history of colonisation, they have managed to preserve their language and culture, and have defended their land. Monday 23 April, 2001, on the BBC

   Moroccan visitor learns about volunteerism in Grand Island.
Published Friday, August 3, 2001 By Mike Bockoven. mbockoven@theindependent.com
Mohamed Azzaoui wants to get more citizens involved in Morocco. The founder of a non-governmental organization that supports local development efforts in Morocco came to the heartland on Thursday to see how volunteers and the government work in harmony.

..............................................................................................

These postings and links are provided without permission of the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship, and research under the "Fair Use" provisions of U.S. Government copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the identified copyright owner.  The poster does not vouch for the accuracy of the content of the message, which is the sole responsibility of the copyright holder.