Australia Still Lacks Anti-Terrorism Cooperation with Morocco

Safaa Kasraoui, a journalist with Morocco World News, reports that Morocco’s counterterrorism strategy has attracted increasing interest among international security services. The efficiency of the strategy led the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) to note that the Australian government does not yet cooperate with Morocco on counterterrorism.

ASPI said that Morocco “portrays the fight against Islamist extremism as a war of ideas that can be won by preaching a tolerant, moderate and non-violent form of Islam.” The institute also recalled that Morocco, which “lies in an unstable region” due to the presence of “Islamist terrorism, ” has not been affected by any terror attack since April 2011 in Marrakech.

The institute said that although Australia takes part in international counterterrorism forums along with Morocco, the two countries have “no bilateral counterterrorism” ties “nor do we have any official counter-terrorism involvement in the Maghreb.”

While no counterterrorism ties have been made yet the Australian Ambassador to Rabat, Berenice Owen-Jones, told Morocco World News that “With the opening of the embassy in Rabat in 2017, Australia and Morocco are set to increase their cooperation on counterterrorism matters, including in global forums.”

Berenice Owen-Jones

Although there is currently no bilateral counterterrorism relation with Australia, Morocco has several international cooperation with several international security services, including the US, Spain, and France.

With Morocco introducing the anti-terrorism strategy and the Central Bureau for Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) in 2015, the North African country received applause and appreciation from several international powers, including the US.

In its 2018 Country Report on Terrorism, the State Department said, “Following the August attacks in Barcelona, Morocco assisted the Spanish investigation and promised to expand cooperation to track terrorists of Moroccan origin radicalized abroad.”

ASPI mentioned Morocco’s counterterrorism cooperation with European countries, saying that “European countries have also worked closely with Morocco, providing counterterrorism training and equipment, and conducting joint operations with Moroccan security forces.”

Morocco was also listed among the least impacted countries by terrorism, according to the 2018 Global Terrorism Index. Morocco ranked 132nd out of 163 in the report, gaining nine places compared to the 2017 report when it ranked 123rd. The ranking makes Morocco safer than the US, France, and Algeria.

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Australian Embassy Offers New Services

As of 10 December 2018, the Australian Embassy in Rabat will start providing notarial services - but please note - by appointment only

These services are listed below. When booking the appointment, please select the relevant service that you are seeking to ensure the appropriate officer is available to provide you the service you need.

- Witnessing and taking of affidavits, oaths, or affirmations.
- Witnessing Commonwealth statutory declarations.
- Witnessing applications forms for, and issuing of, Certificates of No Impediment (CNI) to Marriage.
- Perform legalisation of signatures and/or seals through either an authentication or an apostille.
- Certify true copies of certain documents or photographs on Australian documents or documents to be used in Australia only.
- Witnessing signatures on certain documents.

It is your responsibility to obtain the correct instructions from the requesting authority for the notarial services you require from the Australian mission overseas. The Consular Officers cannot advise on other agencies' requirements.

For more information and booking service, please check our website at www.morocco.embassy.gov.au

Australian Embassy Morocco
28 Avenue S.A.R. Sidi Mohammed
Souissi 10105 (BP 45),
Rabat
Morocco
Telephone: +212 (0) 522 85 74 00

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Fibre Optic brings speed to the Internet in the Fez Medina

Fibre Optic is now available in the Fez Medina! The View From Fez checks it out...

Fibre Optic rocks! Download speeds between 80 and 136 MBS

A few years ago the arrival of ADSL internet in the Medina was seen as something of a miracle. Now Maroc Telecom are offering hi-speed fibre optic. What is equally impressive is the speed with which the installation took place. Five days after requesting connection the technicians arrived and brought the cable up to the house and into the office.

The following day, another technician installed and tested the new modem and had it up and running in under an hour and the speeds were not too shabby.

Being used to stories of network roll-out problems with the NBN in Australia, we think Australia could learn a thing or two.

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Australian Islamic Artisans Tour of Morocco

Six Australian artists visiting #Morocco from 28 Oct to 8 Nov as part of "Rekindling: An Australian Islamic Artisans Tour of Morocco". Australian artists will train under master Moroccan artisans whilst immersing themselves in local Moroccan culture, fostering new and ongoing relationships through Islamic arts

The two week tour is sponsored by the The Council for Australian-Arab Relations - CAAR, Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and facilitated by The Centre for Muslim States and Societies, The University of Western Australia. Upon their return to Australia, artists will share their knowledge with the wider community and train others interested in the intersection of Islamic and Australian art traditions. #rekindlingtourCAAR

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Australians Get a Taste of Morocco

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Canberra has just launched the first Festival of Moroccan Gastronomy at the Hyatt hotel. The public is invited, for ten days, to discover the flavours of the culinary heritage of the Kingdom

Organized as part of the festivities marking the 19th anniversary of the Throne Day, the event "The Flavors of Morocco " was inaugurated by the Ambassador of His Majesty the King in Australia, Karim Medrek and the Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Rachel Stephen Smith, in the presence of several heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Canberra and a host of personalities from the world of politics, culture, and civil society.

" This initiative, the first of its kind in Australia, aims to introduce the Moroccan culinary art and its flavors to the Australian public ," Medrek said in a statement to MAP on the sidelines of the opening ceremony.

The Ambassador explained that " Moroccan cuisine is one of the most refined and diversified thanks to the country's interaction with other cultures and nations over several centuries, particularly through its African, Berber, Moorish tributaries, Arab, Jewish and Mediterranean ". The richness of Moroccan cuisine also comes from ancestral know-how, which has always crossed generations, he added.

And to emphasise that Morocco and Australia " enjoy excellent relations and that such events help to bring together the two peoples who share the value of hospitality ".

For his part, the Director General of the Hyatt Hotel Canberra, Fredrick Arul, said that the event " is an opportunity for Australians to taste the dishes and dishes that make the richness of the culinary arts of Morocco, a country that attracts more and more Australian tourists . "

" For this premiere in Canberra, the hotel is experiencing unprecedented enthusiasm for its prestigious restaurant" la Promenade ", which has 150 people daily. A craze expected given the notoriety enjoyed by Moroccan cuisine around the world, "he said, adding that this kind of event is very important to further strengthen the bonds of friendship between Rabat and Canberra and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The guests at this first evening, enhanced by traditional Moroccan music, have not lost any praise for the delicious dishes, including the must-haves of Moroccan gastronomy couscous with seven vegetables, meat tagine with prunes, the Pastilla, the chicken with olives and lemon confit without forgetting the essential tea with mint. A unique tasting experience offering diners the opportunity to discover a range of dishes as refined as each other.

Hassan M'Souli

These gastronomic days will continue until August 12 with the participation of the Moroccan chef, Hassan M'Souli and his "new Moroccan" cuisine.

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Calling all Australians in Morocco

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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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Australia's Ambassador to Morocco Announced

Today Australia announced the appointment of Ms Berenice Owen-Jones as Australia’s first resident Ambassador to Morocco

Ms Owen-Jones is a career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and was most recently Director of Studies, Diplomatic Academy. In Canberra Ms Owen-Jones has held a range of positions including, Director, Security Policy and Clearances Section. She served overseas with DFAT at the Australian Embassy in Paris.

Ms Owen-Jones holds a Bachelor of Economics, Australian National University and Diploma of International Law, Australian National University. She is expected to take up her appointment in June 2017

Australia and Morocco enjoy close ties and celebrated the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2016.

The establishment of an Australian Embassy in Rabat and appointment of an Ambassador to Morocco is an important addition to Australia’s diplomatic presence in Africa and part of the single largest expansion of the nation's diplomatic network in 40 years.

Our Ambassador to Morocco will lead efforts to enhance bilateral ties and open new areas of cooperation, including expanding trade and investment links in food and agriculture, infrastructure planning and sustainable development, mining, oil and gas, and health.

Australia values Morocco’s significant contribution to international efforts to fight global terrorism and violent extremism, and works as a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. The new Embassy will enhance Australia's ability to collaborate further on counter-terrorism and security issues.

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Moroccan Embassy in Australia - Contact Update

The e-mail address for the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Canberra (embassymoroccocanberra@maec.gov.ma) has not been operational since Thursday, March 30, 2017 due to an update of the Embassy’s e-mail platform

You can, however, still contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Canberra through the e-mail address: sifmacan@moroccoembassy.org.au

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Equid Opening - a Great Success

Thursday night's opening of the works by Australian artist Natalie Scholtz was held at the American Language Center Riad at Batha in Fez

The exhibition opening was well attended by a wide cross section of visitors and locals. Amongst them His Excellency François-Xavier Tilliette, the French Consul General, the highly respected Caida of Batha, Mme Ilham, Police Colonel Abdullah, Dr Gigi Kay from the American Fondouk and M. El Cohen chef des scouts de Fez.

Dr Gigi Kay (American Fondouk) chats with François-Xavier Tilliette and Caida Mme Ilham

Natalie Scholtz is a visual artist from Western Australia. As a drawer and painter Scholtz depicts the gesture and emotion of objects in her immediate environment. Scholtz's works range between bold and colourful representation of form, to subtle suggestions of shape through sketchy line.

Natalie Scholtz was thrilled by the exhibition reception

Special mention should be made of Natalie's artist residency at the American Fondouk, the free animal hospital in Fez, which was made possible due to the generous sponsorship of the American Fondouk, ALIF, and the American Language Centre in Fez. The Fondouk also contributed a unique publicity event for the opening - stationing donkeys and mules at various points of the Medina with signs advertising the exhibition - a nice touch!

It pays to advertise!

From the last week of January through February 2017 Natalie was given the opportunity to paint, draw and document the work, ethics, and equids of the American Fondouk and broader Fez community. The full-time work that goes on behind the closed doors of the Fondouk, is one of restoration and the nurturing of life. Scholtz explores the physicality of the working horses, mules and donkeys. The angular and sometimes fragmented character of the working animals from Fez tells a story of livelihood, community and culture. Scholtz enjoyed making aggressive charcoal lines that follow the strong skeletal shapes of mules and playing with sandstone colours found in both the coat of a horse and walls of the Medina.

The work on display in the exhibition was as varied as it was excellent. Depicting horses, donkeys and mules in postures of work and relaxation, the works on paper in water colour and acrylic paint showed their angular forms, expressions and personalities. Some of the works were more traditional in their use of colour and style, while in others a multitude of colours had been used, giving a more impressionistic feel. One of the paintings had mules and donkeys amid a jumble of traditional buildings, and gave a sense of the organised chaos of Medina life.

The Study of the Equid Exhibition continues at the ALIF Riad, 6 Derb Drissi, Batha, Fez Medina, daily (4-6pm) through until March 26th. It is highly recommended.

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Australian Artist Exhibits in Fez

Art Exhibition: "Study of the Equid" by Natalie Scholtz. An exploration through paint and pencil of horses, mules and donkeys in Fez

Natalie Scholtz is a visual artist from Western Australia. As a drawer and painter Scholtz depicts the gesture and emotion of objects in her immediate environment. Scholtz's works range between bold and colorful representation of form, to subtle suggestions of shape through sketchy line.

From the last week of January through February 2017 Natalie Scholtz was given the opportunity to paint, draw and document the work, ethics, and equids of the American Fondouk and broader Fez community. The full-time work that goes on behind the closed doors of the American Fondouk, a free animal hospital in Fez, is one of restoration and the nurturing of life. Scholtz explores the physicality of the working horses, mules and donkeys. The angular and sometimes fragmented character of the working animals from Fez tells a story of livelihood, community and culture. Scholtz enjoyed making aggressive charcoal lines that follow the strong skeletal shapes of mules and playing with sandstone colors found in both the coat of a horse and walls of the medina.

Alongside the artist residency there was space for art sessions at the local Girls' Center in Ziat. Scholtz delivered introductory skills in drawing, pattern making and color mixing to a select group of girls. The workshops aimed to encourage the arts in young people, but more importantly offered respite and a space for creative conversation with the disadvantaged youth of Fez.

The artist residency at the American Fondouk was possible due to the generous sponsorship of the American Fondouk, ALIF, and the American Language Centre in Fez.

The Study of the Equid Exhibition
Exhibition opening: Thursday, March 16 at 6:30 PM
ALIF Riad, 6 Derb Drissi, Batha, Fez Medina
Continues daily through March 26, 4-6 PM

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Moroccan Flag Flies High in Australia

Last month the Moroccan Embassy in Australia took part in the 21st edition of Australia's National Multicultural Festival in Canberra, which concluded on February 19

According to visitors to the festival, the Moroccan stall was a fascinating attraction and during the festival was visited by thousands of Australians who expressed their interest in the historical richness, the geographical and cultural diversity of the Kingdom and their admiration for the beauty of Moroccan art craft and the elegance of the Moroccan costume.

For Australians with little knowledge of Morocco, the work of Moroccan artisans was of particular interest, with exhibits of work created from different materials including wood, leather, ceramics and bronze.

Moroccan Ambassador H.E. Mr. Karim Medrek

The Ambassador of His Majesty the King to Canberra, H.E. Mr. Karim Medrek, received visits at the exhibition  of The ACT Chief Minister, the Hon. Andrew Barr, the Minister for multicultural Affairs Senator the Hon Zed Seselja and ACT Labor Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith, in addition to several Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to Canberra.

The theme chosen for this year by the Moroccan Embassy was focused on enhancing the millennial tradition of the Kingdom and its multiple identities, symbolised by the peculiarities of its different regions, the richness of Moroccan heritage, the cultural specificities of the Kingdom and its touristic assets.

Moroccan culinary art was also honoured thanks to the dishes prepared and presented by the Moroccan Association of Sydney, which gave the Australian public an opportunity to appreciate Moroccan gastronomy with  its rich flavours and aromas.

For Moroccans the sight of Moroccan flags waving at the sky of Canberra gave a special Moroccan touch to this 2017 edition of the Canberra National Multicultural Festival.

Australia's Multicultural Affairs Minister Zed Seslja with the Ambassador

Since taking up his duties in Canberra, Karim Medrek has been very active and done much to raise Morocco's profile. As the Ambassador of His Majesty The King of Morocco to Australia, he also is Ambassador to a huge area - Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Australia is to open an embassy in Rabat in the coming year and it is hoped that New Zealand will follow Australi's move and establish an embassy. H.E. Karim Medrek has already made a trip to New Zealand, where he was warmly greeted on Waitangi Day.

The Canberra National Multicultural Festival is one of the most important cultural events in Australia and has an annual audience of nearly 300,000 visitors. This festival allows Canberrans, national and international visitors alike to congregate in Canberra over one weekend for what is one of the biggest celebrations of cultural diversity across Australia.

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Australian Coonawarra Wine to Enter Moroccan Market

Australian winemaker Coonawarra has set its sights on the Moroccan market. It expects to export three of its signature wines to the Moroccan market from next March

Coonawarra's rich red terra rossa soil

Coonawarra is one of the most famous Australian winemakers, whose success the company claims is due to "a magical marriage of rich red terra rossa soil, limestone, pure underground water and a long cool ripening season for the grapes." Coonawarra is known for producing world class red wines especially Cabernet Sauvignon. This weekend, international media reports that the Australian winegrower is interested in the Moroccan wine market, which it considers to be under-exploited.

"Hoggies"

 The Coonawarra winemaker recently obtained its license to market its products in the Kingdom.

Reports say that Coonawarra has already entered into a partnership with Moroccan importers who will be responsible for distributing the wines on the market.

The first batch exported to Morocco will be a container of a thousand boxes containing a mixture of three of the winemakers top labels.

The winemaker's objective is to eventually achieve a market share of 5% of the 10 million Moroccan wine consumers.

Coonawarra winemaker Gavin Hogg and his business partners have already established a warehouse in Morocco and are working with two local distributors. Hogg said the first shipment would be a range of wines from his three brands – Kopparossa, Hoggies and Olivia.

He said he and his colleagues had invested a lot of time and effort to procure a licence to import alcohol into Morocco. “The first lot will be a container, which is 1000 cases, and that will be mixed. It’ll be a bit of a scattergun approach to show everyone what’s there and then see how the market responds,” Hogg said.

“The current availability of wine is pretty limited – it’s French, French and French, so I just thought ‘this is another frontier’.”

Known as the Gateway to Africa, Morocco is part of a group of fast-growing nations described as “African Lions”.

The Australian Government announced in November it would establish an embassy in the Moroccan capital Rabat in late 2017 or early 2018 for the first time. Previously, the Australian Embassy in France was responsible for Morocco.

Winemaker Gavin Hogg.

“It’s probably the most liberal Islamic country in the world – there are bars and hotels, liquor stores, and there’s 10 million tourists that go into Morocco each year and 80 per cent of those drink,” said Hogg.

“There’s probably about 10 million people in Morocco who are drinking at any one time, so we tend to think if we can get 5 per cent of that market we’ll be going pretty well. We’ll establish our labels first and then there will be some people over there who say, ‘I know of some other Australian wines – can you bring those in?’ and we can act as a conduit.”

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Illusions by Bryan Dawe - Exhibition Review

This week saw the opening in Tangier of "Illusions" - an exhibition of works by Australian Bryan Dawe. Held at the Volubilis Gallery in the Kasbah, it was attended by a large and enthusiastic crowd of art lovers from around the world. The View From Fez attended the opening and reports...

Cafe Hafa

It is a tribute to artist Bryan Dawe that people have travelled from as far away as Australia to attend the opening of his exhibition of photo-montage works in Tangier.

Holding an exhibition in Tangier is something not undertaken lightly. The logistics are challenging and most sane people would view Bryan’s tenacity as audacious. However, having spent a lot of time in Morocco in both Fez and Tangier, Bryan has grown to love and understand Moroccan culture and its people. Recognising this, local Moroccans were more than happy to assist him in every way. It was notable that almost half the large audience at his opening were Moroccans.

Detail of  "Princess and Queen of Tangier"

Bryan Dawe - too many balloons are never enough

In Australia Bryan is known and respected, not only as half of the long standing comedy duo Clarke and Dawe, who satirise politicians weekly on national television, but also as the President of the National Troublemaker’s Union; an actor, writer, activist and all-round renaissance man.  While not being widely known as an artist, the success of this exhibition should go a long way to changing that.

The Volubilis Gallery

Bryan’s "Illusions" exhibition provides an extraordinary vision of Tangier. Not once was he lured into orientalism or simplistic outsider’s views of the city. Instead, he has pried open the doors of perception and allowed the ghosts of Tangier's past to roam free. It is a wild, magical, surrealistic tribute to the city and the longer you spend with these images the more powerful they become.

Trapeze Girl

From these works, images emerge of the famous and infamous figures from literature and art who were drawn to Tangier. The city was a magnet for people such as William S. Burroughs, Jane and Paul Bowles, Ginsburg, Ira Cohen, Barbara Hutton, Mohammed Choukri, Brion Gysin and many more.

There is an underlying dark nostalgia in some of the works; in others there is confirmation of what those who understand Bryan know – his strong belief that too many hot air balloons are never enough.

The exhibition is open for the next month and is well worth a trip to Tangier

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Australia to Open Embassy in Rabat

Yesterday (Wednesday, November 16) in Marrakech, Australia’s top diplomat, Julie Bishop, announced that Australia will open an embassy in Rabat. This long awaited development is good news for both Australian expats and the thousands of tourists who visit the Kingdom each year

Salaheddine Mezouar and Julie Bishop

Australian Foreign minister Julie Bishop is in Morocco representing Australia at the 22nd UN conference climate conference (COP22) convening in Marrakech.

Following her meeting with Moroccan Foreign minister Salaheddine Mezouar, acting chairman of COP22, the Australian Foreign minister said her country has decided to open embassy in Morocco’s capital because the two countries share huge untapped potentials and bilateral cooperation prospects look promising.

“We hope the opening of the embassy will usher in a new era in Australian-Moroccan relations”, she said, expressing her country’s keen interest to foster further economic relations, especially in renewable energies.

About 30,000 Australian tourists visit Marrakech each year, added Mrs Julie Bishop, saying she is convinced that this number will keep growing in the coming years due to Morocco's political stability, tolerance and thriving tourism sector.

Morocco has a rapidly industrialising economy and there is significant opportunity to expand Australia’s trade and investment links, including in food and agriculture, infrastructure planning and sustainable development, mining, oil and gas, and health  as relations between the two countries are gaining momentum

Today I announce the Government’s intention to open an Australian Embassy in Rabat, Morocco, with the agreement from the Moroccan Government, as part of our commitment to expanding Australia’s diplomatic network. An embassy in Morocco is an important addition to Australia’s diplomatic network in Africa, a region of considerable commercial interest to Australia - Julie Bishop

It is believed that the new Embassy will also facilitate enhanced collaboration on counter-terrorism and other security issues.  Mrs Bishop pointed out that Australia values Morocco’s significant role in international efforts to fight international terrorism and extremism.

The two countries enjoy strong people-to-people links, with many thousands of Australians visiting Morocco each year.

The Australian Government hopes to open the Embassy in the 2017/2018 financial year contingent upon identifying a suitable location and office fit-out.

It is to be hoped that the new links mean that Australian residents in Morocco will also be able to gain residency permits for longer than one year.

Local Australians have welcomed the news while New Zealanders hope that their country will follow the Australian lead.

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Moroccan Children Watching English Language TV

The push for wider English language usage in Morocco is getting a small but unexpected boost from parents. While many politicians, educators and business leaders are calling for English to be a bigger part of the education system, it appears some parents are taking matters into their own hands and using the internet to show their children programmes in English

Time for Teletubbies...

Among the most popular programmes are the British Teletubbies and two Australian favourites; Play School and Bananas in Pyjamas.  From the USA the standout favourite is Sesame Street. 

The Teletubbies characters, Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po, may speak in their own peculiar way, but even if they are not fully understood by Moroccan kids, their names are becoming well known. The programme is aimed at pre-school children and is easily found on YouTube. Some YouTube sites are subscription, while many others are free.

"Play School encourages a child to think"

Play School has been on Australian TV for the last fifty years and is recognised as one of the highest quality children's programmes. It describes itself as "aiming to encourage a child to wonder, to think, to feel and to imagine. The program shows two warm, caring people taking the time to be with one child. They address the child directly and personally. Into this relationship are woven the stories, songs and activities that form the fabric of Australian children's culture. Play School is successful because it satisfies our basic human need to interact with other people and to be valued by them."

Play School uses clear language and repetition that young Moroccans quickly pick up and t's values are totally compatible with those of Morocco.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking B1?"

Possibly the most popular, and certainly the most addictive, children's programme is Bananas in Pyjamas. The main characters are two anthropomorphic bananas named B1 and B2. Other characters include the three teddy bears Amy, Lulu and Morgan, and Rat in a Hat. The bananas, the teddies and Rat in a Hat all live in the same neighbourhood, a cul-de-sac called "Cuddles Town". The characters enjoy eating "munchy honeycakes" and "yellow jelly". Together they solve problems and care for their friends.

Until recently it was difficult to access many programmes in England and Australia, but now, thanks to simple and popular tech-solutions, access is possible for anyone with a wifi connection.


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Fez - First Impressions

Visitors arriving for the first time in the Fez Medina have a variety of reactions from bemusement to straight out culture shock. Not only is the labyrinthine nature of the city challenging, but many visitors fine themselves confronted by their own prejudices. For others, the experience is an exhilarating step into the unknown

Recently, The View From Fez met up with Lydia Lakic, a first-time visitor, and asked her to share her experience of discovering Fez.

"The sensations were overwhelming at first," Lydia says, "and it was as if my being was on high alert. I experienced a sense of vulnerability. I suppose that is not uncommon as a woman travelling alone."

On her first day a young guide showed her around and, as she relaxed, Lydia began to appreciate her surroundings. "Not only did the guide talk to me about the way Islam is woven into the tapestry of people's lives but I could sense there was a "sacred geometry" in the tiles and wood carvings. Watching the artisans working i appreciated the patience needed to create something beautiful from a sheet of copper, or beautiful fabric woven from cactus silk. It was life at a different pace."

Later on the first day, a friendly local showed Lydia around the old Jewish area, the Mellah, and then, to her surprise invited her home to eat with his family.

"After we had eaten their daughter took me to a hammam [a public bathhouse]. I ended up spending four hours frolicking naked with three other girls who soaped me at least ten times....never knew I was so dirty.' Lydia say it is a memory she will cherish. "I slept in the family house for the night and in the morning returned to my accommodation. It was an amazing introduction to Fez."

Lydia Lakic is an Australian who worked for seven years as a dentist. Since then she has been a traveller rather than a tourist. Having spent time in Santorini Mykonos, Croatia, Peru, Ecuador, the Galapagos and Ibiza, she arrived in Fez. Along the way Lydia says, she has been switching from "left brain" to "right brain", undertaking things she had never previously contemplated.

"I've taught my self guitar, taken up photography and writing as well as exploring the world of dance." She has booked a bellydance workshop in Rabat and is also keen to explore the music of the hadra, the ecstatic trance dance.

Watching her relaxing with a glass of mint tea in the Henna Souq, one suspects that though this is her first visit to Fez, it will not be her last.

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Australian-Moroccan "Angel" Honoured by King Mohammed VI

Back in 2015, The View From Fez reported on the wonderful work of Melbourne based Moroccan, Fatima Baraka, who has been working to assist four year old Yahya El Jabaly who was born with a severely deformed face. Now Yahya is back home and yesterday, Fatima Baraka was in Tangier to be honoured by King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the sovereign’s accession to the Throne

Without the extraordinary commitment of Fatima Baraka and the team of surgeons at the Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne, little Yahya faced a very uncertain future. Professor Tony Holmes. Holmes explains, "We don't know what causes the condition. It is sporadic, it is not genetic and most children do not survive the pregnancy. But some, like Yahya, arrive here."

Dr. Andrew Rochford and Yahya

For Fatima Baraka, this is just the beginning of a commitment to child victims of certain diseases and who do not have the means to be cared for. "Inspired by the difference we can make, I will continue to work hard and establish a charity that provides medical care to children in countries where adequate health care is not available," she said.

To find out more and to assist with Fatima's work at The Moroccan Children's Appeal, visit the Facebook Page.

More about Yahya's return home from Australia's Channel 7: ( You can skip the commercial!):
 https://au.news.yahoo.com/sunday-night/video/watch/31973991/yahya-returns-home/#page1

THE VIEW FROM FEZ CONGRATULATES FATIMA BARAKA FOR HER WONDERFUL WORK

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