13th International Festival of Amazigh Culture

The 13th International Festival of the Amazigh Culture

Fez, 14-16 July

Programme of the Forum

Amazighity and Cultural Diversity in the Face of Extremism

Friday, July 14

17:00:   Arrival of participants

17:30:   Opening of the Forum and the Festival  

             Opening remarks

19:00 Tribute to the Honourable Mohammed Kabbaj

18: 30   Keynote 1: «The Weaving of languages" (in French)

                                    Hubert Haddad (Writer)

19:20 Reception and a Tour of Expositions

Saturday, July 15

Morning

9:00 – 9:30

Room 1

              Keynote 2:   Criticism of Extreme Reason

                                       Maati  Kabbal (Institute of Monde Arabe, Paris)

                                         Moderator: Fatima Sadiqi

9 :30 – 10 :30

Room 1

First Session:      Insights on Some Apects of the Amazigh Culture in North Africa

                                  Moderator: Issa Ait Belize

Speakers:  

Jilali Saib (Mohamed V University, Rabat)

Meryam Demnati (Amazigh Observatory of Rights and Freedoms, Rabat)

Madina Touré (Nouakchot University, Mauritania)

Slimane Douih (Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez)

10:30 – 11:00 Debate

11:00 – 11:30

               Keynote 3:

Enemies, Allies or Competitors?
Islamist-Amazigh Movement Relations in Morocco and Algeria

                             Michael J. Willis (Oxford University, United Kingdom)

                               Moderator: Moha Ennaji

11 : 30 – 11 : 50   Coffee break

Room 1

11 : 50 – 12 :50

Second Session : Reflections on the Theories of Cultural Studies and                        

                                  Globalization

                                    Moderator:  Alfonso de Toro

Speakers :  

Mohamed Taifi (University of Virginia, USA)

Issa Aït Belize (Moroccan-Belgian Writer, Brussels)

Bouthaina Ben Kridis (University of Carthage, Tunisia)

Alberto Tonini (University of Florence, Italie)

12: 50 – 13: 15 Debate

15:30 – 16:15  

Room 1

Third Session:          Literature, Art and Cohabitation

Moderator: Abdelkader Ben Hammadi

Speakers :

Enza Palamara (François Rabelais University, Tours, France)

Ali Fertahi (Moulay Slimane University, Béni-Mellal)

Juliane Tauchnitz (University of Leipzig, Germany)

16:15 –16 :45  Debate

16 :45 – 17 :15

                              Keynote 4: Alfonso de Toro (University of Leipzig,  

                                                     Germany)                                        

                                           Culture as a Weapon against Extremism

      Moderator : Jilali Saib

17:15 – 18:05   Coffee break

18 :05- 19 :35  

Room 2

Parallel Session: Painting Workshop on "Fighting Extremism"
Hosted by Khadija Madani Alaoui and Tarek Sadki (University of Fez)

18 :05 - 18:50  

Room 1

Fourth Session:   Multiculturalism, Multilingualism and Extremism

                                  Moderator:   Juliane Tauchnitz

Speakers:

Nizar Kader (Lebanon)

Fatima Sadiqi (International Institute for Langues and Cultures, Fez)

Belkacem Boumedini (Mustapha STAMBOULI University, Mascara, Algeria)

Nebia Dadoua Hadria (CRASC. Oran, Algeria)

18:50 -19:20 Debate

Sunday, July 16th

9 :00 – 11 :00

Room 2

Parallel Session: Story-telling Workshop on "Fighting Extremism"
Facilitated by: Jean-Marie Simon (Stories lighter, France and Mohammed El Alami, University of Fez)

Room 1

9 :00 – 10 :00

Fifth Session:   Amazigh, Religion and democracy

                               Moderator: Meryam Demnati

Speakers:

Johan Goud  (University of Utrecht, Holland)

Yahya Belaskri (France)

Moha Ennaji (International Institute for Langues and Cultures, Fez)

10 :00 – 10:30  Debate

10 :30  - 11 :00

                     Keynote 5: Equality values in Amazigh Culture

                 Ahmed Assid (Amazigh Observatory of Rights and Freedoms, Rabat)

Moderator: Mohamed Nedali

11 :00 – 11:20  Coffee break

11 :20 – 12:35

Sixth Session:     Radicalization of Youth and Extremism

                                Moderator : Nizar Kader

Speakers:

Abdelkader Benali (Moroccan-Dutch writer)

Bruce Maddy-Weitzman (Senior Research Fellow)

Jean-Marie Simon (France)

12:35 - 13: 05   Debate

13: 05 – 13:35   Programmed speech: Saad Eddine Ibrahim (Ibn Khaldoun

                               Center, Egypt)

                              Cultural Diversity in the Middle East and North Africa

                              Moderator: Abdelkader Benali

13:35 – 13:55 Poetry reading: Mohamed Nedali, Bassou Oujebbour, Saida

                           El Kabir, Asmae Belkasmi, Khadija Madani Alaoui

Moderator: Mohammed Moubtassime

13:55      Recommendations and closing

17:00 – 20:00 Guided Tour of the Medina (optional)

MUSICAL CONCERTS IN BAB MAKINA

21:30 - 23:30

Friday, July 14, 2017

- AICHA TACHINWIT  (Morocco) -  BALLET FLAMENCO MONICA ARRABAL (Spain) - SAID SENHAJI (Pictured above) (Morocco)

Saturday, July 15th, 2017

-GROUPE AHIDOUS TAHLA (Morocco) -HASSAN BERKANI (Morocco) - IBTISSAM TISKET (Pictured left)(Morocco)

Sunday, July 16th, 2017

-HADDA OUAKKI (Morocco) - LAURA CONTI (pictured above) (Italy) -ABDELHAFID DOUZI (Morocco)

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Heatwave Warning For Morocco

A wave of heat is expected to hit several regions of Morocco over the next few days with temperatures up to 46 degrees Celsius

According to the National Meteorological Department (DMN), maximum temperatures of 41 to 44 degrees are expected from Thursday in Aousserd, Oued-Edadhab, Boujdour, Laayoune Tarfaya, Es-Smara, Tata, Taroudant, Assa-Zag, Zagora, and Errachidia.

Temperatures ranging from 37 to 40 degrees are forecast in Ouarzazate, Fkih Ben Saleh, Kelaa Sraghna, Rhamna, Marrakech, Youssoufia, Essaouira, Guelmim, Tan-Tan, and Beni Mellal.

On Friday and Saturday, the DMN predicts maximum temperatures of 42 to 46 degrees at Aousserd, Oued-Eddahab, Boujdour, Es-Smara, Assa-Zag, Tata, Zagora and Taroudant.

Temperature will reach 37 to 41 degrees Celsius at Guelmim, Tan-Tan, Sidi Ifni, Chtouka Ait Baha, Agadir, Laayoune, Marrakech, Youssoufia, Essaouira, Chichaoua, Kelaa-Sraghna, Beni Mellal, Fkih Saleh, Settat, Khouribga, Sidi Slimane, Kemisset, Ben Slimane, SidiBennour, Berrrechid, Safi, and Errachidia.

There is also a chance of some local storms.

Fez temperatures remain hot for the last few days of Ramadan, with 38 Celsius today, 41 on Friday, 43 on Saturday, 41 on Sunday, dropping down to 37 on Monday.

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Laylat Al Qadr - the "Night of Power"

A statement from the Ministry of the Royal House, Protocol and Chancellery issued yesterday, says that King Mohammed VI will preside this evening (Wednesday June 21) at the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca

Prayers inside Hassan II Mosque on Laylat al-Qadr

The event is a religious evening in commemoration of Laylat Al Qadr.

Laylat Al Qadr is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims, and is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. It is known as the "Night of Power," and commemorates the night that the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, beginning with the exhortation, "Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists)," - Surat Al-Alaq.

The Prophet Muhammad did not mention exactly when the "Night of Power" would be, although most scholars believe it falls on one of the odd-numbered nights of the final ten days of Ramadan, such as the 19th, 21st, 23rd, 25th, or 27th days of Ramadan. In Morocco it is most widely believed to fall on the 27th day of Ramadan.

“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on Laylat al-Qadr, fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins.” - Imam Bukhari

On this night, the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant, sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and that the annual decree of what will occur is revealed to the angels who also descend to earth.

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the night of Qadr:
And what will explain to thee what the night of Qadr is?
The night of Qadr is better than a thousand months.
Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:
Peace! This until the rise of dawn! — Sura 97 (Al-Qadr), āyāt 1-5

Many Muslims observe this occasion with study, devotional readings, and prayer. Some Muslims participate in a spiritual retreat called itikaf, where they spend all ten days in the mosque reading the Quran and praying, but according to a local Imam, the number of people doing this has declined over the years.

Then there is the Leilat Sabawachrine - literally the "night of the 27th" - is a night especially for children - a time when they dress in their finest clothes.

Leilat Sabawachrine - a tiara is essential!

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At Last - Fez to Marrakech Flights

Air Arabia, and its partner the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) have finally begun the long awaited internal air service linking Fez and Marrakech

The inaugural flight of the new air route on Friday, June 16, had an occupancy rate of more than 80% (round trip), and a flight time of 45 minutes.

The aircraft (A 320) landed at Marrakech Lamnara airport at 11:45. The return flight arrived back in Fez at 1pm.

Air Arabia is running the service 3 times a week (Friday, Sunday and Tuesday).

In addition to Fez, the company is launching 14 more flights from Fez to Rome (Italy), Strasbourg (France), London (United Kingdom), Brussels (Belgium) , Lyon (France), Barcelona (Spain) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands). For the winter of 2017, new destinations will be programmed from Fez to Bremen, Munich and Seville.

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Whiffenpoofs Free Concert in Fez!

The Yale Whiffenpoofs in Concert! Saturday, June 24 at 9:30 PM at the ALC Fes, 2 Rue Ahmed Hiba, Fez Ville Nouvelle

Every year, 14 senior Yale University men are selected to be in the Whiffenpoofs, the world's oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group. Founded in 1909, the "Whiffs" began as a senior quartet that met for weekly concerts at Mory's Temple Bar, the famous Yale tavern. Today, the group has become one of Yale's most celebrated traditions, with a diverse and evolving repertoire ranging from traditional Yale standards to popular songs from every decade.

Cole Porter was one of the original members of the group, and the “Whiffs” continue to sing some of his songs, such as “Too Darn Hot” and “Night and Day.”

Each year, 14 Yale seniors take the year off from their studies to travel the world, performing this year in 22 countries on six continents. We are thrilled and honored that they are coming to give a concert at ALC-Fes!

This concert, organised by the ALC-ALIF Music Club, is free and open to the general public. The performance will be in the garden of the American Language Center.

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Marrakech to Paris With Air Arabia

Air Arabia Maroc will open a new route between Marrakech and Paris from October 31

According to Morocco World News flights will be on Airbus 320 three days a week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.

Flights will run at 6.30 a.m., 11.40 a.m., 7 p.m., arriving to Paris at local time 11 a.m., 2.10 p.m. and 9.30 p.m. respectively.

Flights to Paris will start from MAD 599.

Air Arabia CEO Abel Ali says, “This new line solidifies our continuing approach in favour of increasing the touristic and economic exchanges between Morocco and France. This link adds to our well established network to France which possesses 22 daily flights across five Moroccan airports."

Based in Casablanca and founded in April 2009, Air Arabia Maroc is Morocco’s first low cost airline.

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