Sufi study day in London

Morocco's ambassador to the United Kingdom, HRH Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui, was guest of honour at a Study Day given by the Temenos Academy in London on Saturday 27 November. Faouzi Skali, the recently re-appointed Director General of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music, was one of three eminent Islamic scholars who spoke on the topic of Ethics, Virtue and Spiritual Chivalry in the Sufi Tradition. Our northern correspondent Aurora Borealis reports.

Faouzi Skali and Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui in London

About 100 people gathered at The Window in Islington, London, to take part in the study day. The Window is a centre dedicated to inter-faith and spiritual activities. It provides excellent facilities and employs chefs who lay on a delicious lunch.

The day was organised by Sir Nicholas Pearson, Chairman of the Temenos Academy (www.temenosacademy.org) and a long-standing supporter of the Fes Sacred Music Festival. Princess Lalla Joumala has been a member of Temenos for five years and is well known for her interest in Sufism.

The first speaker was Dr Leonard Lewisohn who is a Sufi practitioner and Senior Lecturer in Classical Persian and Sufi Literature at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter, UK. Dr Lewisohn is the author of numerous works on Sufism and co-translator with Robert Bly of The Angels Knocking on the Tavern Door: Thirty Poems of Hafiz (HarperCollins 2008). Dr Lewisohn gave a fascinating account of the development of chivalry in medieval Persia. He spoke about how the groups that espoused it have long since died out, but that the principles are embedded in modern Iranian society – for example hospitality, generosity, compassion and modesty. He highlighted these virtues as both the groundwork for spiritual growth and the characteristics that manifest as a result of contemplative endeavour.

Princess Lalla Joumala arrived for Faouzi Skali's speech, following a very tasty vegetarian lunch. Dr Skali spoke eloquently in English about how the principles of chivalry laid the foundations for modern civilisation – and that the Sufi way is relevant both at an esoteric level and socially. It provides inspiration, he said, so that practitioners can develop personal transformation which extends into their daily lives. Sufism, he said, has its roots in both contemplation and social action. He did, however, acknowledge that the modern world seems to be engaged in a conspiracy against spiritual life – ego, he said, is the veil that conceals the truth.

The final talk came from Dr Lloyd Ridgeon, Reader in Islamic Studies at Glasgow University, Scotland. He is the author of Morals and Mysticism in Persian Sufism:A History of Sufi-futwwat in Iran (Routledge 2010). Dr Ridgeon's contribution included a Powerpoint presentation illustrating the contemporary Zurkhaneh movement in Iran which has its origins in chivalry, but which today gives young men opportunities to practise a variety of physical exercises and skills together – under the leadership of a master. The disciplines they practise include stick fighting, wrestling, spinning (like dervishes), weight-lifting and postures that resemble yoga. This was fascinating insight into an ancient tradition transposed into a contemporary context. It echoes with the Falun Gong movement in China.

There were question and answer sessions. During one of them, Faouzi Skali was asked to recommend a daily meditation. His response was la illah ha illah la.

Fez Deli

Hot on the heels of the launch of Cafe Clock's cookbook comes a range of Moroccan preserves and oils now available at the Clock.

A combined effort by Cafe Clock's kitchen and Gail Leonard of Fez Foods, the range includes two types of olive oil from Moulay Idriss and Ksebi, almond butter and zmita (ground almonds, seeds and sugar). There are preserves such as balsamic, fig and ras al-hanout relish and watermelon molasses, and several jams including caramelised watermelon and mint, fig and hibiscus, plum and ginger, fig, lemon and orange marmelade, and saffron, orange and carrot marmelade.

The goodies are beautifully packaged and well-priced and will make good presents for the festive season.

Recipe for goat tagine

Here's a delicious recipe for cooking goat Moroccan-style. You could easily substitute lamb or mutton for goat. These quantities are enough for four people.

INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp olive oil
750g goat or lamb shoulder, deboned and cubed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 can tomatoes
1 cinnamon stick
30g dried apricots, roughly chopped
pinch saffron
goat or lamb stock or water

SPICE MIXTURE
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ground chilli
Salt and freshly ground pepper

GARNISH
a handful of finely chopped coriander
Harissa to taste
zest and juice of half a lemon
1 tbsp honey

ACCOMPANIMENTS
300g pumpkin, peeled, chopped into 1-2cm cubes and roasted in olive oil with a little seasoning.

METHOD
Mix all the spice mixture ingredients in a large bowl and toss the meat in the mixture until well coated.

Heat the oil in a tagine or large saucepan and when hot, add the onion to the pan and sweat for one minute or so until transparent.

Add the meat and garlic to the tagine and brown.

Stir in the chopped tomatoes, cinnamon stick, apricots, saffron and enough stock to just cover the meat. Bring to the boil then reduce to a slow simmer. Leave to cook for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is tender, stirring regularly with a wooden spoon (add more stock or water if the liquid is below the mear). If the stew is too watery, drain off the excess liquid into a saucepan and reduce until thickened. Then return to the tagine.

TO FINISH
Stir in most of the chopped coriander, harissa (more or less to taste), lemon zest, juice and honey.

Garnish with roasted pumpkin and scatter over remaining coriander.



See all our Moroccan Recipes HERE !

With thanks to reader Damian.

On the Haj, small is a blessing

In many cultures being a dwarf has meant being the butt of jokes. However, for Muhammad Karaith it has made his pilgrimage to Mecca a lot easier. Much of this, it has to be said, is due to his extremely positive attitude and sunny disposition. From the Saudi Gazette in Mecca, Naeem Tameem Al-Hakeem reports:

Sarcastic comments, jokes and requests for photos from passersby did not bother Muhammad Karaith, a dwarf Moroccan pilgrim. Instead of cursing those who said things, including several officials who wanted their pictures taken with him, Karaith received them with a wide smile and great confidence that has no parallel.

All smiles in Mecca

Karaith, who is 3 feet 11 inches tall, was looking to see if he could spot a shorter pilgrim.  “I would say I am the shortest man in Haj unless I make sure that there is a shorter pilgrim than me,” he said. Karaith, who is 26 years, does not believe being a dwarf is a disability. On the contrary, he believes that it is a great blessing from God since he can finish his business in any government agency very quickly.He said he was the first pilgrim to complete the immigration procedures at the airport and pointed out that he gets top priority wherever he goes.

Karaith, who works as a farmer, is physically strong and performed most Haj rituals on foot; he walked all the way from Mina to perform the Farewell Tawaf of the Holy Ka’ba. He said he didn’t find any difficulty in the crowds because the pilgrims fully cooperated with him. Karaith said that because he quickly assimilates into any society, he leads a happy life.

Fez in stitches

The Urban Fabric project was showcased at Cafe Clock this weekend. Brainchild of artist Liz Kueneke and presented by Culture Vultures, the large piece of cloth depicts the streets of the western side of the medina.


Liz spent around 500 hours embroidering the streets of the medina onto the cloth for this contemporary community art project. Then she took to the streets around Batha and Bab Boujloud and asked local people how they felt about their city. Where do they live? Where do they work? Which places have special significance for them? Which are dangerous, or happy, or spiritually important? People were then asked to embroider special symbols that signified their answers.

The idea is to provoke dialogue among people, to get them thinking about their city. One person's significant place will be another's dangerous one. It was particularly popular with teenage boys and men, who were keen to mark their house or school or special places on the map.

In fact, this is what Liz has found in other cities: boys and men were keen to be involved in Bangalore in India, but in Barcelona, men don't do the sewing! She has also carried out this project in New York and Quito.

Once the project is complete, Liz plans to return to each city with the finished map and the videos she has taken of people interacting and sewing. She hopes to exhibit the map in each place.

You can follow The Urban Fabric on Facebook.

Photos courtesy The Urban Fabric.

Morocco's architectural heritage: Photography exhibition

Did you know that Casablanca was the first city ever to be planned with the aid of aerial photographs?

French architect Henri Prost, engaged by Resident General Lyautey, is famous for his amazing Mauresque buildings in Casablanca (see our previous story here).

Casablanca in the 1920s

Now a new photography exhibition tracing the architectural heritage of Morocco will open its doors on 22 November and run until 21 December. Organised by the Euromed Heritage project, Mutual Heritage, it will be held at the Ecole Nationale d'Architecture in Rabat and will feature 20th century photos showing aerial views and buildings of Rabat, Casablanca and Fez.

Fez, 1912

The exhibition, entitled ‘Patrimoine partagé’ – a shared heritage – aims to contribute to a better knowledge and appreciation of this cultural heritage. It will also serve as a resource for heritage professionals and teachers.

“This exhibition will especially make accessible to the largest number of people all the richness of the recent architecture in Morocco, which is the product of inter-cultural exchanges and the sharing of various technical know-how,” said ENA Director El Montacir Bensaïd.

The ENA has some 85,000 images in its archives, some of which will be on show.

The Mutual Heritage project aims to enhance the appreciation of 19th and 20th century Mediterranean architectural heritage, the product of rich inter-cultural exchanges, sharing of technical know-how and the modernisation of the urban fabrics of the south Mediterranean, a local process compounded by external inputs from Ottoman and European colonisation.

Euromed Heritage is a €17 million EU-funded programme which contributes to the exchange of experiences on cultural heritage, creates networks and promotes cooperation with the Mediterranean Partner Countries.

Fez passengers outraged by Ryanair

More than 100 passengers flying from Fez to Paris last week refused to leave an aircraft after it was diverted to Belgium, reports the Yahoo travel website.



The flight was scheduled to leave Fez at 7.15pm, but was delayed by three hours. By that time the airport at Beauvais near Paris was closed. The flight crew decided to divert the flight and landed at Liege in Belgium at around 11.30pm local time.

Passengers were furious. They decided to stay on board until someone agreed to take them to their original destination. They stayed on the plane for four hours in complete darkness, after the crew had left. They had no access to the toilets which had been locked, and no food or water. After long hours of negotiations, officials convinced them to leave the aircraft. Passengers were then asked to wait for buses to take them to Beauvais.

A firefighter told AFP: "The negotiation was so difficult that we weren't sure they would come out. People are obviously outraged."

HM the King pardons 184 convicts on Eid-al-Adha

HM King Mohammed VI pardoned 184 convicts on occasion of Eid-al-Adha (Feast of Sacrifice), according to a statement released by the Moroccan Justice Ministry.

Six inmates benefited from the pardon over their remaining prison term, while 96 others had their prison term reduced. Twenty people were granted pardon over their prison sentences, and six inmates benefited from a pardon over imprisonment terms while fines against them were maintained.

A prisoner was granted pardon over his imprisonment term and had his fine annulled, while fines against 55 convicts were suspended.

Palestinian outrage at Polisario "disinformation"

Spanish News Agency EFE Admits Publishing 4-year-old Gaza Photos from Pro-Polisario Source that Falsely Identified Victims as Coming from W. Sahara

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat on Saturday condemned Spanish news agency EFE's "unacceptable and unfounded" publication last week of 4-year-old photos of Palestinian infants injured in Gaza which were falsely identified as photos of victims of Monday's unrest in Laayoune, in Moroccan Sahara. The false photos (see example below)  were printed in the major Spanish newspapers El Pais and El Mundo prior to a pro-Polisario demonstration this past weekend in Madrid.

"I saw the EFE's pictures; they well and truly come from the Gaza Strip and not Laayoune," said Erekat, who denounced the photos as "disinformation" to mislead international public opinion and distort Morocco's record. He reaffirmed Palestinian support for Morocco's efforts to settle the Western Sahara conflict through dialogue and peaceful means, and condemned EFE's failure to respect journalistic ethics.

EFE admitted the error on Friday, saying it purchased the photos from activists at a pro-Polisario website. The photos showed the Gaza infants with their heads bandaged in a hospital. The caption in El Pais said: "Two injured Saharan children are treated at a hospital in Laayoune."

The Polisario Front and its supporters have made a number of unsubstantiated allegations over the past week to cover up serious violence committed by their backers in Laayoune.

Last Monday, Moroccan authorities attempted to peacefully disperse a protest in Laayoune that began legitimately but was taken over by pro-Polisario militants. 70 Moroccan police were injured and 10 police killed when they moved in with non-lethal gear, no weapons, and were attacked by militants with knives, bottled gas canisters, and Molotov cocktails.

This account was supported by independent eyewitnesses. After examining the protest site, the UN Secretary-General's representative Hany Abdel-Aziz, head of MINURSO, the UN presence in Western Sahara, told French daily Le Monde, "I saw no trace of bullet cartridges." Instead, he was "amazed by the number of butane gas bottles" which militants used to set fires.

Most of the demonstrators left the camps when authorities asked and escaped serious harm. Abdel-Aziz commented that the truth was far from the thousands of civilian casualties the Polisario claimed.