In 2009, Morocco reported a 5.4% economic growth.
In 2009-2008, Morocco made progress with human rights, including women’s rights, though there were allegations of torture in matters of counter-terrorism efforts. Also on this topic, here have been no executions in Morocco since 1993.
Daylight savings begins in Morocco on June 1st, 2009, finishing the schedule earlier than had been planned. Officials say that this will save energy and boost trade.
In response to Morocco’s growing HIV/AIDS problem, the Health Minister said that between 2007 and 2011, he hopes that prevention programs will reach one million people.
In 2009, eight people were arrested. They are suspected of being part of a radical Islamic group, Salafia Jihad, and were accused of planning attacks. There are no details on the acts these men were supposedly going to commit.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Morocco's Culture
The main languages spoken in Morocco are Arabic , French, Spanish, and English, although ten million citizens speak Berber. Arabic is the official dialect, but French is taught and used in commerce. English and Spanish, however, are becoming available as foreign language courses in schools.
Though Morocco’s main religion is Islam, one of the main cultural beliefs is that one should accept all other religions. Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims. Religion plays a role in politics, an example being that the king is called ‘Amir El Mouminin’, or ‘Leader of the Faithful’. The country is also home to numerous mosques. Moroccan women have more rights than women in many other Islamic nations, including the ability not to wear a veil as most Muslim women do, though revealing clothing like shorts and low-cut dresses are considered to be too provocative to wear in public.
Traditional Moroccan weddings are quite elaborate. The bride is given a hammam, or milk bath, to purify her before the wedding. Negaffa, who are often married older women, line the bride’s eyes with kohl, dress her in a wedding kaftan and heavy jewelry, and paint elaborate henna designs on her feet and hands. Brides sometimes aren’t to do housework until the henna has worn off. Preparations and pre-wedding ceremonies can take seven days.
Though Morocco’s main religion is Islam, one of the main cultural beliefs is that one should accept all other religions. Most Moroccans are Sunni Muslims. Religion plays a role in politics, an example being that the king is called ‘Amir El Mouminin’, or ‘Leader of the Faithful’. The country is also home to numerous mosques. Moroccan women have more rights than women in many other Islamic nations, including the ability not to wear a veil as most Muslim women do, though revealing clothing like shorts and low-cut dresses are considered to be too provocative to wear in public.
Traditional Moroccan weddings are quite elaborate. The bride is given a hammam, or milk bath, to purify her before the wedding. Negaffa, who are often married older women, line the bride’s eyes with kohl, dress her in a wedding kaftan and heavy jewelry, and paint elaborate henna designs on her feet and hands. Brides sometimes aren’t to do housework until the henna has worn off. Preparations and pre-wedding ceremonies can take seven days.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Morroco Fiction Scene
Written from the prospective of a French colonist in the 19th century.
Our huge ship blocked what would’ve been a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. The sun was hidden behind the sails and the water didn’t sparkle as it did when we’d first docked here. Ah, well, I had nothing else to look at. God knows I’d stared at those old Moorish buildings for far too long, weaving in and out of the ornate stone arches for hours upon end and enduring the stares of the natives who leaned out of their windows.
Capitan Louis said that we’d be taking over this place soon. Almost makes me feel sorry for those poor souls, most of which were brown-skinned young women with small children clinging to their dresses.
Sometimes it makes me think about the streets back in Paris. Except the women there were buying bread, not begging for it from what they’d heard were rich and powerful Frenchmen. One, a lovely woman with sleek black hair, threw herself at my leg and babbled in a language I knew nothing of. Probably wanted money or something of the sort. I threw her a gold coin. The poor thing smiled from ear to ear, kissed my cheek, and ran off to show her children. I wish I could’ve done more for them.
“John!” Capitan Louis yelled. “Stop daydreaming and get back to work!”
“Doing what?” I asked.
“Find something!”
I sighed and got up. With one last look at the blue-green sea, I walked back into the maze of winding dirt streets.
Our huge ship blocked what would’ve been a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea. The sun was hidden behind the sails and the water didn’t sparkle as it did when we’d first docked here. Ah, well, I had nothing else to look at. God knows I’d stared at those old Moorish buildings for far too long, weaving in and out of the ornate stone arches for hours upon end and enduring the stares of the natives who leaned out of their windows.
Capitan Louis said that we’d be taking over this place soon. Almost makes me feel sorry for those poor souls, most of which were brown-skinned young women with small children clinging to their dresses.
Sometimes it makes me think about the streets back in Paris. Except the women there were buying bread, not begging for it from what they’d heard were rich and powerful Frenchmen. One, a lovely woman with sleek black hair, threw herself at my leg and babbled in a language I knew nothing of. Probably wanted money or something of the sort. I threw her a gold coin. The poor thing smiled from ear to ear, kissed my cheek, and ran off to show her children. I wish I could’ve done more for them.
“John!” Capitan Louis yelled. “Stop daydreaming and get back to work!”
“Doing what?” I asked.
“Find something!”
I sighed and got up. With one last look at the blue-green sea, I walked back into the maze of winding dirt streets.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
