On 30 September, an editorial in Aujourd'hui Le Maroc newspaper bemoaned the fact that Morocco has suffered from stereotypical views in the tragic case of Madeleine McCann's disappearance.
While everyone sympathises with the horror that her parents must be going through, it was interesting to note that presumed sightings of the child in Morocco make this an international case, not just European. Morocco adds a twist of the exotic unknown, where presumably children can be abducted and never found in such a mysterious environment. Driss Ajbali of Aujourd'hui makes the point that the Rif mountains, where the latest supposed sighting of Madeleine took place, are seen as a hotbed of mafia-like networks and are known for rampant drug-trafficking. In the photographs taken by Spanish tourists, the mother of Bouchra, the look-alike child, is dressed in the traditional striped apron and pompom hat of the region, which adds to the strangeness and feeds the fear of the unknown. Ajbali also points to the hysteria caused by stereotypical thinking: as everyone knows that all Arabs have black frizzy hair, what's a little blond girl doing in Morocco - it must be Madeleine! How could it be anyone else?
This kind of hysteria is not doing Morocco any good at all. And why should Madeleine be here in Morocco as opposed to anywhere else? Sadly, as she disappeared so many weeks ago, it can only be assumed that the child is no longer alive and won't be found here in Morocco or anywhere else.
Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
2 comments:
But on the other hand, people are learnind all kinds of things about Berbers and their origins. :D
http://www.gnxp.com/blog/2007/09/blonde-berbers.php
This also shows ignorance and the lack of taking the time to look around. The children of Morocco are one of the joys of my life, and not a small part of why I stay - I have seen redheaded children, black headed children, blonde children, all beautiful, most loved.
We should all be aware and appalled at the horror of child abduction or abuse in any form; as humans in the world we are all responsible. Are there evil people in Morocco? Yes. Are there evil people in every country? Yes. Are there kind, generous, and helpful people in Morocco and the rest of the world? Yes.
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