Rain and Storms Forecast for Morocco

Morocco's national meteorology office has forecast "heavy rains" accompanied by gusts of wind and storms across several regions of Morocco from today

Heavy rains accompanied sometimes by gusts of wind and thunderstorms in places are expected from Wednesday at 18:00 to Thursday at 14:00 in several regions of Morocco.

Rainfall of 80 to 100 mm is expected in the Provinces of Larache, Chefchaouen, Ouazzane and Kenitra.

Rainfall ranging from 50 to 75 mm is expected in Taounate, Al Hoceima, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Salé, Taza and Tetouan, while rains of 20 to 40 mm will affect Tangier, Fahs-Anjra, Rabat, Skhirate-Temara, Mohammedia, Mediouna, Berchid, Nouaceur, Casablanca, Benslimane, Settat, Khemisset, Khouribga, El Jadida, Sidi Bennour, Safi, Khenifra.

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Take a look at Fez!

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The Perfect Gift - a Wheelchair for a Moroccan Child

This festive season why not help change a child's life? The gift of a wheelchair, or a donation towards one, will make a profound difference, not only to the child but to the family and community

Red goes faster is an amazing organisation that supplies all terrain, adaptable wheelchairs for children Red goes faster was founded in Marrakech by Michelle Hank and Brahim Tigharmin and has a team of volunteers from Australia, Morocco, Canada and Italy.

Red goes faster has joined with an Australian based not for profit organisation in Perth - Wheelchairs for kids Australia who build and supply awesome all terrain, adaptable wheelchairs for children.

Why do we need wheelchairs for kids in Morocco?

Mothers often carry their disabled children on their back and when they become too big they are unable to leave the house. Many of these disabled children never go outside, don't go to school, feel isolated and see their small world within the confines of their house looking up from a mattress which leads to further mental and physical complications .

Desperate for mobility many kids are put into umbrella strollers or second hand adult wheelchairs that are too big and not secure and can cause more harm than good.

So far Red goes faster have gifted around 322 wheelchairs to Moroccan children with their second shipment of 154 new, flat packed wheelchairs and spare parts arriving in Casablanca in July, 2017.

Michelle Hank and Brahim Tigharmin

In April 2016 Red goes faster sponsored an Occupational Therapist from Australia to run a four day training session in Marrakesh. Training is ongoing and practical to ensure World Health Organisation standards are met when fitting these fully adaptable, all terrain wheelchairs. 7 new volunteers were trained in Marrakesh - September 2017 and another training will be held in Essaouira, January 2018.

These wheelchairs are fitted ​according to World Health Organisation standards, usually in the family home which means neighbours, family members and sometimes others in the village become involved. Each chair takes around 3 to 4 hours to fit so the child feels ​safe, ​secure and comfortable. During this fitting process, the parents are taught how to adjust the chair and are left with a tool kit to make changes as the child grows. Each child is also given a gift pack with a knitted blanket, soft toy and ball which keeps them occupied while they are being measured and the chair adjusted.

After receiving these bright sporty wheelchairs the kid's social status is raised and they become 'little stars' in their community. Neighbours and kids often knock on the door, wanting to take them out and push their wheelchairs.

The next challenge is to raise enough money to pay for the next shipment of 164 wheelchairs to Casablanca. The wheelchairs are distributed to kids all over Morocco. It is not always easy to deliver the wheelchairs to their excited owners as some of the villages are situated high in the Atlas Mountains and need to be carried by donkeys. Wheelchairs have also been fitted in remote villages in the Sahara.

You can help

Red goes faster are now looking for sponsorship or donations to help with the costs of the next shipment. Freight from Perth to Morocco and then the distribution within Morocco.

Sponsor one child's wheelchair for $250. Donations as little as $5 helps a lot. Donate time, money or expertise to help them.

If you would like to become involved please email mishhank@gmail.com

Find out more on Facebook

You can donate here: Red goes faster

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Fez to Marrakech Flights - Schedule Change

Air Arabia, a leader in low-cost air transport, launched in June 2017 the first domestic service from Fez to Marrakech. Now it is changing the schedule.

This service was launched as part of its collaboration with the Moroccan National Office of Tourism and was an immediate success. As a result, the frequency has increased since it opened. Today, it is in the same concern to meet the needs of its passengers that Air Arabia Morocco has chosen to change the schedules of its flights on the line, in order to bring more comfort to its customers.

Thus the airline has favoured departures in the early afternoon, not earlier in the morning, but still at the rate of three flights per week, and operating every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Flights from Fez to Marrakesh will be offered Wednesdays at 14:20 - 15:20, Fridays at 12:55 - 13:55, and finally Sundays at 12:25 - 13:25.

As for the service Marrakech - Fez, it will be offered Wednesdays at 16h - 17h, Fridays at 14h35 - 15h35, and Sundays at 14h05 - 15h05.

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Fes Festival 2018 - Theme Announced

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music dates for 2018 are June 22nd to June 30th. And now, thanks to Fez Riads, we learn that the Festival theme is "Ancestral Knowledge".

It is hoped that a provisional programme will be made public before the end of the year - stay tuned!

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Free Photography Workshop in Fez

P h o t o g r a p h y T a l k  - I s h m a e l C l a x t o n

Sunday, November 26 at 6:30 PM at the ALIF RIAD

In this session Ishmael Claxton, a photographer based in New York City, with a background in math, art history, history, set and costume design,  will explain how he's able to weave all of these elements together to give form to his vision.

Join fellow photographers for this exciting opportunity to meet with other photographers, exchange ideas, and learn more about photography.

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Free Concert in Fez on Saturday

There is a free concert on Saturday, November 25 at 7 PM at the ALIF Riad 6 Derb Drissi, Batha Fes Medina

Mehdi El Bouzaidi has been a singer-songwriter for 8 years. He studied at the La Famille Music School, which helped him improve his singing talent. He was a member of a Fusion Band in his hometown and has performed multiple shows in different Moroccan cities.

This show will be a mix of original compositions and song covers, all sung by Mehdi with guitar accompaniment.

This concert, organised by ALC Fes Drama and Music Clubs, is free and open to the general public.

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Cultural Events in Fez

The French Institute in Fez is presenting music and film.

MONTH OF THE DOCUMENTARY - 18 th Edition
Evening dedicated to Jean Rouch on Saturday, November 25, 19h, at Cinema Boujloud
Chronicle of a Summer.  Entry is free

Paris summer 1960, Edgar Morin and Jean Rouch interview Parisians on how they are coping with life. First question: Are you happy? The themes are varied: love, work, leisure, culture, racism etc. The film is also a questioning of documentary cinema: cinema verite and cinema-lie. Which character do we play in front of a camera and in life

JAZZ CONCERT

DUO: ERIC  LE LANN AND PAUL LAY
Tuesday, November 28, 19h, Dar Batha
Free admission (limited availability)

Eric Le Lann, trumpet player, is one of those elusive musicians who inhabits a world that is rich and varied. He went through all styles without ever denying his membership in the jazz and identity of jazz.
Paul Lay, pianist Martial Solal says has: "Excellent harmonic imagination, diverse game, the most interesting compositions obvious knowledge of jazz history, personal speech. Paul Lay everything to "rise" and last! "


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Morocco: Tourism Update

Good news again for Moroccan tourism as the statistics from the Tourism Observatory show. Marrakech has experienced the largest increase (18%), or 6.5 million nights at the end of October, followed by Agadir Ida-Outanane (12%) with 4.7 million overnight stays and Casablanca (11%) with 1.76 million overnight stays.

Agadir topped 4.7 million overnight stays

Two months before the end of the year, the positive trend continues for tourism indicators. Arrivals increased by 9%, for a total of 9.71 million tourists at the end of October 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 (8.88 million). The main improvements in terms of arrivals from European markets continue to increase. Arrivals of foreign tourists staying (TES) recorded an increase of 14.3%, or 4.86 million tourists.

The performance of the arrivals register shows France, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom, which posting positive a growth rates in the first 10 months of the current year. At this stage, the rate of arrivals of French tourists at the end of October 2017 increased by 9% with 1.35 million tourists, followed by Spanish tourists (14%) with 575,177. In third place, English tourists recorded a 5% increase, ie 403,193. In fifth place, arrivals of German tourists recorded an improvement of 28% at the end of October, or 268,998.

According to statistics from the Tourism Observatory arrivals of Moroccans living abroad were up 5% compared to the same period last year, with no less than 4.8 million tourists. Air traffic was up 14% compared to the end of October 2016. Agadir Al Massira airport experienced the largest increase in arrivals (19%), followed by the two Mohammed V airports and Marrakech Menara airport with 12%.

Regarding the nights spent in tourist accommodation establishments classified (EHTC), these have also improved. A 15% increase in the rate of accommodation in the main tourist destinations in Morocco compared to the same period in 2016 was noted, for a total of 18.7 million overnight stays at the end of October 2017. Based on the rate evolution of overnight stays in EHTC, ​​Marrakech has experienced the largest increase (18%), or 6.5 million overnight stays at the end of October, followed by Agadir Ida-Outanane (12 %) with 4.7 million overnight stays and Casablanca (11%) with 1.76 million overnight stays.

This momentum has been accompanied by changes in revenue. Travel receipts rose by 5.3% compared to the same period of 2016, recording a total of 59.10 billion dirhams of revenue at the end of the first 10 months of the year. current year against 56.11 billion dirhams in the same period in 2016.

MOROCCO PRESENTS ITS TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AT THE WARSAW INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR

The 25th Warsaw International Tourism Fair "TT Warsaw" opened on Thursday, November 23, the opportunity for Morocco to unveil the richness and diversity of the national tourism offer in all its facets

This exhibition, one of the most important in Eastern Europe, offers an opportunity for professionals from the Moroccan tourism sector to develop links with Polish and international professionals in order to highlight the richness and diversity of the world. tourism offer of the kingdom and enhance the attractiveness of the destination Morocco.

The Moroccan booth design and architecture combining authenticity and modernity on a background of colours evoking the diversity of multiple destinations in the country, has been developed by the Moroccan National Tourist Office on an area of ​​100 m2 and offers attractive and comprehensive information on the destination Morocco, its charms and its assets and this, in a setting brightened by tunes performed by Gnawa musicians

Morocco's stand was inaugurated by Morocco's ambassador to Poland, Youns Tijani, who pointed out that Morocco won the "Best Stand Award" at the previous edition of the Warsaw International Fair.

This pavilion highlights the cultural assets of Morocco and its positioning as a safe destination guaranteeing visitors a total change of scenery and is the subject of a craze among a large public come to discover the tourist potential and cultural wealth of the kingdom .

In a statement to the press on this occasion, the Ambassador of Morocco stressed the excellent diplomatic and economic relations between Morocco and Poland and welcomed the fact that Morocco enjoys a good perception among Polish, as reflected by the increasing number of Polish tourists visiting Morocco.

About 50,000 Poles travel to Morocco each year, a figure expected to grow, said the Ambassador, adding that it is expected that this number will reach 52,000 this year, especially with low-cost airline flights launched by Ryanair companies to Marrakech and Wizzair to Agadir.

In this context, he highlighted the dynamics experienced by the tourism sector in Morocco, a sustainable asset of economic development, stressing that Morocco, a stable and open country, with its rich and diversified cultural heritage, is full of tourist potential that make it possible to position oneself as a privileged destination.

A delegation of Moroccan tourism professionals that includes hospitality professionals, tour operators and representatives of receptive agencies takes part in this tourist event.

The Moroccan professionals present say that their participation in this show is important as the destination Morocco is up on the Polish market, adding that in addition to the classic destinations, their efforts are aimed at products combining seaside and cultural tourism, a sector very popular with Polish tourists.

At the show, the Moroccan National Tourist Office will hold meetings and negotiations with the four leading tour operators in Eastern Europe, Neckermann, Itaka, Exim and TUI. The main objective of these negotiations is to achieve 20% growth in tourist arrivals from Poland, reaching 70,000 Polish tourists by 2018.

Rachid Ennaciri, director of the ONMT representation for Eastern Europe based in Warsaw, emphasised that Morocco has become one of the key destinations on the Polish market thanks to the quality of its offer and its tourist infrastructures, its connectivity with the world, its stability, its proximity to Europe, its rich cultural and architectural heritage, its world-renowned gastronomy, its modern infrastructure of land, rail and maritime transport and air, as well as its hospital tradition and excellence of welcome to foreign visitors.

He also pointed out that tourist arrivals from Poles to Morocco have seen a strong double-digit increase since February 2017, an increase of 68% compared to 2016.

Ennaciri said that the projected number of Polish tourists to visit Morocco for the year 2017 could reach 52,000 people, noting that the launch this year of new low-cost flights, provided by Wizzair and Ryanair, to Agadir and Marrakech will have a positive impact on the destination Morocco.

At this show, which is attended by 115 countries and expects to welcome 474,000 visitors, the professionals involved in tourism development will be involved until Saturday in promoting their products, business development and prospecting new markets.

Fès-Saïss airport reaches its first million

By this Saturday the airport will have received a million passengers for 2017. The airport authorities will celebrate this event with great fanfare.

"We are very proud of this successful achievement through the extension of our terminal sponsored and inaugurated by the Sovereign," said Noureddine Laghni, director of the airport. The airport  has recorded an increase of 23.13% at the end of October 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.

Fes-Saïs was in 4th position after those of Casablanca-Mohammed V, Marrakech-Menara and Agadir-Al Massira as part of the classification of commercial air traffic by zone. The airport is served by several companies including RAM, Ryanair, Easy Jet, Jet Air Fly, Air Arabia

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Photographic Exhibition in Fez

The DRUNK LIGHT OF THE BOOK  - Thami Benkirane - photographer.  Opens on Friday, November 24, 6:30 p.m at the Gallery of the French Institute of Fez.

Exhibition from 24 November to 31 December  - Free entry

"According to Sartre, the book is a" set of dry leaves or when a large form moving: reading. " A closed book and placed in the shelves of a library is a closed room, locked and dark. Just like the darkroom of a hermetically sealed camera to light.

This free photo series entitled "drunk light of the book" results from experimental work that is in the wake practices that fall under the "artist's book"

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When Will it Rain? Morocco's Drought

Morocco is in the second year of a severe drought and the impact on the economy is showing

Photo: Issam Oukhouya/Associated Press

Last year, wheat and barley production in Morocco was at its lowest level in a decade, according to World Grain, an industry magazine. The shortage was due to “inadequate rainfall during the planting season and the shortage of rain during the critical months of February and March.”

Wheat is a staple in Morocco and elsewhere in North Africa, according to the magazine. The average Moroccan consumes more than 440 pounds of wheat every year, one of the highest per capita rates in the world. The country irrigates only about 10 percent of its land, leaving it susceptible to drought.

Last year, during earlier stages of the drought, the king tried an age-old practice in a bid to save Morocco’s crops: prayer. On two Fridays in January, he led national rain prayers after normal worship ended.

But experts say the government needs agricultural solutions, not divine intervention: increased irrigation, better management of a growing population and improved purification of the water already in the country’s water pipes.

Waiting for water from a well in Zagora

Residents of many drought-stricken villages blame the shortages on the overuse of sparse resources for agriculture, especially the cultivation of watermelons and accuse the ministry of agriculture of allowing this water-intensive production "which provides profit for big farmers to the detriment of the inhabitants".

The Washington Post reports David Goeury, a geographer at Paris IV-La Sorbonne University, saying that a ban on water-intensive watermelon farming, would help. Morocco is one of the region’s top exporters of the melon.

“The problem is that watermelon demands a lot of water and requires drilling. If the water table is overexploited, its water level will drop or the quality of the water will be altered because it will come into contact with saltwater,” Goeury said.

The lack of water is having a ripple effect on the country’s gross domestic product and security. Water, the Associated Press wrote, “is becoming a threat to national stability in the kingdom, seen as a steady force in a restive region and key ally with the West in the fight against terrorism.”

Charafat Afailal, the secretary of state in charge of water, said change is needed — soon. “The issue of water has always been a priority for Morocco, but today, after two years of drought, we have to move on to higher gear,” she said.

The Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Aziz Akhannouch, said in Rabat on Monday that his department will take, during this agricultural season, several measures including ensuring a sufficient and regular supply of inputs and rationalisation of water resources.

In response to five questions related to the preparations for this agricultural season, posed by several groups in the House of Representatives, Mr. Akhannouch said that the Ministry will continue to implement the agricultural insurance program that will concern this season an area of one million hectares of agricultural land and 50,000 hectares of orchards, in addition to a series of financing measures for farmers.

According to the latest available weather forecasts, Morocco should see some showers next week. Rain is expected over three days starting on Wednesday. It remains to be seen just how much rain arrives.

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Kibari Brothers - New Exhibition

Mark your diary! The Kibari brothers are back with an exciting new exhibition.

(Click images to enlarge)

The exhibition will be at the Grand Casino , La Mamounia, Marrakesh from the 24th of November 2017 until the 10th of  Decdember 2017

 Find out more about Aziz Kibari - HERE

Kibari Habib visual artist painter (The Leader)
Kibari Abdel artist sculptor (The Youngest)
Kibari Aziz artist painter and sculptor (The Medium)

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Date of the Prophet's Birthday Announced

Eid Al Mawlid Annabawi, the date marking the anniversary of the birth of the prophet Mohammed, will be celebrated on Friday, December 1, 2017, according to Morocco's Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs.

The month of Rabie-I 1439 AH begins today (Monday, November 20th). Indeed, the observation of the lunar crescent of the month of Rabie-I 1439 AH was not confirmed until the evening of Saturday 29 Safar 1439 AH corresponding to November 18, 2017, said the department.

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Street Photography Workshop in Fez

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The Green March - Anniversary

November 6th is an important date in Morocco. On the occasion of the 42nd anniversary of the Green March, King Mohammed VI will address the nation on Monday evening. The speech will be broadcast on television and on the radio from 8:30 pm.

November 6, the day of the Green March is the anniversary of peaceful deployment in 1975 of 350,000 civilians who marched to recover the territory of Morocco's Western Sahara that had been previously occupied by Spain.

The Green March was a strategic mass demonstration coordinated by the Moroccan government. During this march 350,000 Moroccans converged on the city of Tarfaya in southern Morocco and waited for a signal from King Hassan II to cross into Western Sahara. They brandished Moroccan flags, U.S.A. flags, Saudi Arabia flags & Jordan flags; banners calling for the “return of the Moroccan Sahara.” The colour green for the march’s name was intended as a symbol of Islam. The Green March is considered an important symbol of Moroccan nationalism and liberation from colonialism.

No shots were fired, not a single drop of blood was shed and Morocco retrieved its Sahara.

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Photo Essay - The Tradesmen of Tangier

Notes from Tradesmen in Tangier - a photo essay by Mohamed Zefzaf

Here are glimpses of tradesmen in Tangier, Morocco. Though unknown, the, like millions of their counterparts around the world, make our daily life better for their skills, their dedication, and a rare and earthy appreciation for living in the present moment. Most of them spend their entire existence in splendid obscurity. They are hardly recognised, much less celebrated. In this digitally globalised world, these good people are left behind, without the salaries or rights, equal to the true value of their labor. It is among these salt of the earth folks that one finds fraternity and wisdom. The fruit of their work is not cloud-based, but can be seen, and touched. It is true, and makes a difference.

Youssef

 

I want to make people’s home what they wanted it to be. I am just here to help-that is my work.

Youssef, upholster 32, of Youssef Décor at B’ni Makada-a perfectionist, full of life, with a penchant for Briouats and ketchup, working his way slowly, steadily, and honestly.  

Ayyad

Ayyad, 54-also known as the Boss: nominally a plasterer, but really a jack-of-all-trades; a man of skills and a bon vivant.

My best reward is to see my customers happy-then, I am happy too.

Anis & Adil

 When people call us, most have tried everything themselves. So we are the last resort. We love to see their faces when we actually fix their appliances. For us, the challenge of the work is in finding a solution to a problem. We’re logical people.

Anas 19, and Adil, 38, repair technicians, with a mentor-disciple relationship; they ride around Tangier in a motorcycle, often forgetting to wear their helmets. They fix all sorts of appliances, from leaking faucets to wash machines, and everything in between.

Si Ahmed

There’s order in masonry; there’s precision and alignment. It is practically following nature. I am a simple Moroccan man, I just build homes for people, and my work is honest and lasting. It will be around for hundreds of years.

Si Ahmed, mason, 54: a man of precise habits, mathematical in nature and a veteran of the Moroccan Army.

Abdelhadi

 It’s not easy, but the only way I understand how to make progress is to work hard. I want to see my children have a good future in this Morocco of ours. Despite all, I am an optimist. For me, that is the way to be.

Abdelhadi: 37, House painter, a father of three, making a journey in this life.  

Edited comments and Photos by M. Zefzaf

Mohamed Zefzaf is a Professor of English & Storyteller at the Massachusetts Bay Community College/USA

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