Moroccan News Briefs

Morocco's world Jews convene in Essaouira pilgrimage

Hundreds of Moroccan Jews from the four corners of the world are convening in the Atlantic city of Essaouira for the Hiloula of Rabi Haim Pinto.
A warm welcome was reserved to the pilgrims, who came from different countries to take part in this yearly four-day religious gathering, but also to "renew, like every year, their attachment to the alaouite throne (of Morocco), and pray for peace in the world," rabbi David Pinto said.


Speaking on the event, Essaouira governor, Nabil Kharroubi stressed the "rich significance" of this moussem, which "enables us to share what we have in common; our heritage and hour history, which were shaped by our ancestor for centuries.

"This heritage and this history were founded by our kings, and H.M. king Mohammed VI is its present guardian, who works daily so this shared heritage would be protected and transmitted to the future generations," Kharroubi said.

He underlined that Morocco, faithful to its history and traditions, “provides an example of openness, diversity, cohabitation and a shared land.”

Hiloula is also a successful example of social and civilisational integration, said the chairman of the city hall, Mohamed Menguet.

Rabi Haim Pinto, who died in 1845 at the age of 96, has managed to achieve the great dream of building a synagogue in Essaouira, in which he spent his days praying and teaching Torah.

H.M King inaugurates a female student house

In Marrakech on Friday, HM King Mohammed VI inaugurated a female student house (Dar Attaliba) and a women's training and qualification centre for an amount of 4.55 million dirhams (585,841 dollars).

The sovereign visited the different dependencies of Dar Attaliba, which provides accommodation and extra courses for young girls from poor rural families in order to fight the phenomenon of dropout.

The facility was built for 2.85 million dirhams co-financed by the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity and the MAMDA-MCMA construction foundation. Sixty young girls will benefit from the establishment, which includes dormitories, a refectory, a kitchen, a reading room and an infirmary.

As for the training and qualification centre, it would offer training for women in dressmaking and handiwork to improve rural women's income and know-how, fight illiteracy and encourage children's schooling. The 1.7 million dirham centre includes an illiteracy room, a training room and a day care.

Also this week, Morocco's fight of violence against women was highlighted as part of the country's strategy towards guaranteeing gender equality, Minister of Social Development, Family and Solidarity, Nouzha Skalli said on Wednesday. She noted that this violence, which remained as a taboo for a long time, is today subject of the attention of the public authorities and the civil society in Morocco, underlining that the north African country has made large steps towards institutionalising the fight against this plight.

The minister also reviewed the various actions taken by Morocco to guarantee gender equality, including the new Family Code, which provides for equal rights and responsibilities in the family household; the nationality code, which enables a Moroccan mother to transfer her nationality to her kids; and the criminal code, which incriminates sexual harassment in the workplace.

Skalli deems that the issue of sharing responsibilities between men and women, and setting up a man-woman partnership for development and equality of chances is the best way to overcome development hindrances, including violence against women.

She also recalled the election, in 2002, of 35 women MPs, and the appointment of 7 women ministers in 2007, adding that 3,428 female local representatives were elected in the June 12 local elections.


Moroccan NGO founder picked for the 'Opus prize'

Moroccan Aicha Ech Chenna, founder and head of the Casablanca-based "Association Solidarité Féminine" (ASF), was picked among the final three nominees to receive the Opus one-million-dollar award, organizers said on Wednesday.

The Prize granted by the Minneapolis-based "Opus Prize Foundation" recognizes individuals whose work and story can inspire us to tackle the world's most deeply rooted problems.

Ech Chenna, whose NGO seeks to promote the conditions of single mothers and their children, was picked along with Sister Valeriana Garcia-Martin, who cares for disabled children in Bogota, Colombia, and Father Hans Stapel of Guaratingueta, Brazil, who operates more than 60 communities for people with drug and alcohol addictions.

The winner of the prize will be announced on November 4th during a public event in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He or she will receive 1 million dollars, while the two runners-up will receive 100,000 dollar monetary awards each

The prize is awarded through a partnership with universities or colleges to maximize the scope and impact of its mission. This year the prize will be granted in partnership with St Thomas university.

Last year, the Opus prize was granted to Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse from Burundi for her work to protect some 30,000 children victims of war.


Three missing following floods in southern Morocco

Three people have gone missing following the floods that hit on Thursday the locality of Amougar in the southern city of Errachidia, local authorities said.
The torrential rain caused the overflowing of Ayt Yahya river as well as two road accidents that left 66 wounded, including seven severely injured, the regional health delegation said.