Rabat – Deputy Prime Minister of Luxembourg Etienne Schneider said that companies from Luxembourg, which are active in the African market, see Morocco as a real investment hub.

Schneider, who is also Luxembourg’s Economy Minister, met with Morocco’s Minister of Industry Moulay Hafid Elalamy on Monday, September 23. The meeting is part of the visit of the Hereditary Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Prince Guillaume, and his wife Princess Stephanie de Lannoy to Morocco for an official visit.

Schneider reaffirmed that Luxembourg is determined to further develop its economic relations with Morocco.

He added that his country “aspires to make the port of Tangier Med its hub on the African continent.”

Read Also: Grand Duke, Duchess of Luxembourg Visit Morocco

The official is leading a high-level economic mission from Luxembourg to Morocco on September 23-26.

Luxembourg has made the choice to forge ahead with the diversification of its economy, he added.

Speaking to the press, resident of Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg Luc Frieden said that cooperation between the two countries ‘offers countless” opportunities to boost both economies.

“We want to support the partnership between Morocco and Luxembourg in the various areas represented by the Chamber in a mutually beneficial way,” said Frieden.

Elalamy also expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, emphasizing the strong desire to continue to develop relations between Morocco and Luxembourg.

In another meeting, convening Minister of Economy and Fincena and Prince Guillaume, both countries reiterated determination to further develop their cooperation.

The prince said that bilateral cooperation will “help to face common challenges and meet a common vision.”

“Morocco is considered a gateway to Africa,” he added.

The visit of the high-level delegation from Luxembourg, according to the prince, focuses on the sector of digitization and logistics.

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Rabat – The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released an authoritative and actionable climate science report on September 22. A team of natural and social scientists prepared the report to inform policymakers at the UN Climate Action Summit, which opened Monday, September 23.

United in Science examines gaps between climate science realities and current emissions trajectories. The report found that even though renewables have seen extraordinary growth, fossil fuel use and emissions increased in 2018 and peak emissions will not be reached by 2030, let alone by 2020.

2015-2019 are on track to be the hottest five years in recorded history, according to the report. Natural and social scientist authors highlight how major heatwaves, record-breaking fires, floods, drought, and tropical cyclones have devastated socio-economic development during this period.

Climate records have marked the five year period within the MENA region.

In June 2018, Quriyat on coastal Oman recorded a 24-hour minimum temperature of 42.6°C, possibly the highest such temperature recorded on a thermometer. Ouargla in the Algerian Sahara reported a maximum temperature of 51.3°C in July 2018, the highest ever reliably recorded on the African continent.

Morocco has witnessed droughts and shifting seasons since 2015. The 2016 drought was the most severe in three decades, according to the Moroccan government. Its impact on Morocco’s key agricultural sector prompted King Mohammed VI, who inaugurated the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex, the world’s largest concentrated solar plant, to issue a decree calling on the faithful to pray for rain.

Current policies fall short for Paris Agreement targets

Climate policies in place to achieve the Paris agreement’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) will not achieve their goals. Current ambitions must be tripled to meet the 2°C limit and increased approximately fivefold to meet the 1.5°C limit, according to the WMO report.

Failing to meet these limits will result in catastrophic global conditions, climate scientists continue to warn. According to the report, if current trends continue, the world will warm by 2.9°C to 3.4°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100.

Humanity possesses the technical capacity to meet the 1.5°C goal, but doing so will require rapid and unprecedented shifts in all forms of society, according to the IPCC 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C.

“Only immediate and all-inclusive action encompassing: Deep de-carbonization complemented by ambitious policy measures, protection and enhancement of carbon sinks and biodiversity, and efforts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, will enable us to meet the Paris Agreement,” urged a WMO press release.

Morocco is one of only two countries worldwide on track to meet the 1.5°C target, according to Climate Action Tracker.

Hope persists for international policy negotiations

A global youth climate movement has spotlighted this week’s climate summit and inspired a concurrent Youth Climate Action Summit. The unprecedented call to action brings hope when many are discouraged by insufficient climate crisis legislation.

An experienced international climate negotiator and former chair of the main committee of the UN Climate Convention told Morocco World News that science is taken seriously at negotiations: “The science on climate change has been getting firmer for years. And the observed reality on climate change is always toward the more dire projections.

“Despite the posturing of some politicians, this science is not debated by the international negotiators seeking to find ways to mitigate humankind’s impact on the climate. This complex economic negotiation is producing results.”

He added a call to action: “A great deal more, much more, needs to be done to minimize the worst impacts of climate change.”

Princess Lalla Hasnaa, Chairwoman of the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, addressed summit members on behalf of King Mohammed VI. Hasnaa delivered a royal speech emphasizing that effective global climate policy requires “effective international solidarity, sustainable financing and a qualitative transfer of technology and know-how” to support countries in the global south.

This statement echoes previous speeches made by King Mohammed VI.

Hasnaa also announced the foundation’s launch of the African Youth Climate Hub, which aims to “showcase leadership and innovation, and to underscore the positive role of African youth.” She explained that the concurrent Youth Climate Summit “provides reasons for optimism, requiring us to respond positively and lend our effective support.”

Read also: King Mohammed VI Calls for Collective Action on Climate Change

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Rabat – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Morocco at the request of King Mohammed VI.

Turkey’s Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told Moroccan television channel 2M on Monday, September 23 that  Erdogan has received an invitation from King Mohammed VI to visit Morocco.

 The Turkish official made his statement after a meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on the sidelines of the 74th UN General Assembly in New York.

“During this bilateral meeting, we discussed the organization of a high-level visit between Morocco and Turkey.  President Erdogan received an invitation from King Mohammed VI to visit Morocco,” he said.

The Turkish official added that he plans to visit Morocco to prepare for Erdogan’s visit to Morocco.

Speaking about the bilateral ties between Rabat and Ankara,  Cavusoglu said that Morocco is an “important” ally because of its role in the Islamic world, the African continent, and the Mediterranian region.

He added that Morocco’s stability is of “paramount importance to all of us in the region.”

Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) reported that the Turkish foreign minister expressed satisfaction with the bilateral talks he held with his Moroccan counterpart.

“We had constructive discussions during which we reiterated our commitment to our bilateral ties.”

Erdogan said in July 2018  that he is proud of bilateral ties between the two countries. He made his statement during a meeting with Morocco’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Habib El Mali, who represented King Mohammed VI at the inauguration ceremony of the Turkish president in Ankara.

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Rabat – The organizing committee of “Marmomac,” the biggest stone, design, and technology international trade fair, has invited the Moroccan designer Hicham Lahlou to the event as a guest of honor. Lahlou will be representing Africa, for the first time ever, in the international event taking place in Verona, Italy, between September 25 and 28.

The Moroccan designer will give an inaugural conference tomorrow, September 25, about Africa and the role of design as an economic stimulus for south-south cooperation. The presentation will take place in front of the event’s president, the mayor of Verona, and other Italian and international public figures in the domains of business and politics.

One day left to the opening of #Marmomac 2019.

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Lahlou is considered an African ambassador of design. He presented last week, September 14, his latest book “African Generation: The Power of Design,” co-authored with Patricia Defever, at the London Design Festival. The BBC took the opportunity to interview him for their economic television news.

Read Also: Moroccan Designer Hicham Lahlou to Exhibit at Salone del Mobile in Milan

The 46-year-old designer is also the founder of the international events aiming to promote African design and designers: Africa Design Days and Africa Design Awards. He is also the African representative at the administration council of the World Design Organization.

“Marmomac” is an exhibition of the latest technologies in the domains of design, from different countries. Its program contains several meetings and conferences about design, of stones and marble especially. It also consists of masterclasses, given by well-known designers and architects, and tours around the historical monuments of Verona. Verona is also known as the world capital for marble and opera.

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Rabat – The National Association for the Defense of Human Rights (ANDDH) has condemned, through social networks, the decision of the Minister of Education, Said Amzazi, to use disciplinary measures against a teacher. 

The minister’s decision comes after the teacher posted a widely shared video depicting the deplorable state of the public school she works at.

The president of ANDDH, Muhammed Rachid Chrii, described the ministry’s decision to Morocco World News as “arbitrary and authoritarian.” 

The ANDDH also called on Said Amzazi’s department to “reconsider its decision” because the video’s content is “a striking example of the reality of most educational institutions in our country, especially in the rural world.”

The minister’s decision to suspend and deploy disciplinary measures against the teacher sparked nationwide controversy.

The teacher posted the video to urge officials to take action against Morocco’s crumbling public education in general. However, Amzazi considered her behavior “inappropriate”  and argued that it only seeks to tarnish the image of the ministry and its efforts to improve school infrastructure.

The minister also emphasized that the school in the video had undergone a number of renovation works recently, explaining its derelict state.

Following the ministry’s decision, several Moroccan teachers expressed solidarity with their colleague.

Internet users launched a campaign under the slogan, “Sharing the truth is not a crime.” Others started posting and sharing new videos and photos depicting the same dire state in their schools.

Faced with the widespread support for the teacher, the minister “has recently withdrawn the decision,” the ANDDH president told MWN. Chrii added that “the ministry did not do her justice; it was the people who supported her.” 

Chrii also told MWN that; “While international treaties guarantee activists the right to condemn and expose the terrible situations they face in their countries, the Moroccan State is still trying to silence them using administrative measures.” 

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Rabat – A Royal Armed Forces Sportive Association (AS FAR) supporter died on Tuesday, September 24, after falling from the roof of a van transporting fans. Football fans had been in Casablanca for a match between AS FAR and Wydad Athletic Club (WAC).

The match took place on Tuesday at Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca at 8 p.m.

The van was reportedly intercepted by Wydadi fans on its way back to Rabat at Lahraouiyine, Mediouna province.

According to local authorities in Lahraouiyine, Wydadi fans threw stones at the AS FAR fans resulting in clashes.

Traffic was disrupted as a result of clashes. Public forces intervened to restore order.

Read also: Morocco Hosts Training Session on Video Assistant Referee

During the clashes, 5 people sustained injuries. Authorities transferred the injured fans to the regional hospital in Mediouna. Police arrested 22 people.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident. Further arrests may be carried out.

WAC faced AS FAR in the qualification match to the round of 8 of the Moroccan Throne Cup. WAC lost 3-1 to AS FAR.

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Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Industry and Trade seized on Tuesday, September 24, as many as 256,000 low-quality chargers at the Port of Casablanca.

The operation took place in collaboration with customs services.

A statement from the ministry said that examination on samples  of the chargers imported from China showed that the products did not meet standards and posed a “threat to the health and safety of citizens.”

The statement added that inspection services took necessary measures, in accordance with the procedures in force.

Read Also: Morocco Announces Campaign to Fight against Low Quality, High-Risk Home Appliances

Security services seized a total of 556,500 imported chargers failing to meet stands since the beginning of 2019.

The ministry of industry in collaboration with the services of the Ministry of the Interior has been consulting board control to ensure a good quality of products distributed in the local market.

Tuesday’s operation is part of Morocco’s campaign to fight low-quality electronic products.

On September 13, the ministry announced the launch of the campaign to “protect Moroccan consumers” from hazards linked to low-quality home appliances, especially mobile phone chargers and batteries.

The ministry said that the measure comes as an “urgent” response to a number of incidents in the past months.

The campaign came a month after the death of a 7-year old girl in a house fire.

The 7-year-old girl, Hiba, lost her life in a blaze caused by a low-quality telephone charger in her room. She lived in a low-income neighborhood in Sidi Allal Bahraoui, a small town in the Khemisset Province in the Rabat-Kenitra-Sale region.

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Rabat – Supporters of Raja Casablanca expressed their support for the Palestinian cause during their team’s game against the Palestinian team Hilal Al-Quds.

Rajawi fans waved Palestinian flags and held banners against normalization with Zionists. The game that ended with Raja’s victory (1-0) was held in Casablanca’s Mohammed V stadium, on Monday, September 23. The match was part of the round-of-32 of Mohammed VI Arab Champions Cup.

Before the start of the match Raja fans displayed a Tifo depicting “Handala,” a famous cartoon character portraying a 10-year-old refugee child. “Handala” was created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali, one of the most famous cartoonists in the Arab world, known mostly for his criticism of Arab regimes and Israel.

Throughout the game, more than 50,000 supporters chanted songs in support of Palestine. The fans also shouted “Palestine, Palestine” and “Gaza, we will never let you down” for more than 90 minutes. The Palestinian’s team goalkeeper, Rami Hamada, started chanting with the crowds for some moments in the middle of the game.

“I would like to thank the Moroccan people for their welcoming. The atmosphere was amazing, I even chanted during the game,” Hamada said in a post-game interview.

His teammate Mohammed Sammar also expressed his gratitude towards Moroccan fans: “Many thanks to the fans who chanted for the glory of Palestine during the whole 90 minutes.”

Impressed with the support shown by the Moroccan crowds, Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, promised that the Moroccan team and their fans will be hosted for free during their upcoming travel to the West Bank to play the second leg of the game, on October 3.

The solidarity expressed by Raja fans with the Palestinian cause is not the first time Moroccan people have declared their support for their Palestinian brothers. In June, 2019, thousands of Moroccans rallied in solidarity with Palestine. The crowds protested against the US proposed Middle-East Peace Plan, the so-called “Deal of the Century.”

The Moroccan government is also known for its support for the Palestinian cause. King Mohammed VI was one of the first world leaders to warn the US and the United Nations after US President Trump decided to move the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.

On September 15, during an emergency meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Secretary of State to the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Mounia Boucetta, delivered a speech reiterating Morocco’s unwavering position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

In her speech, the Moroccan official said that violations by the Israeli authorities “undermine the two-state solution and hinder international efforts to revive the peace process.”

The secretary of state also highlighted the special interest of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, in promoting the Palestinian cause.

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Rabat – Pop icon Madonna has been spotted sporting the designs of Moroccan milliner Youssef Lahlou.

Madonna wore a custom Youssef Lahlou hat during the opening night of her world tour in New York on September 17. The hat is from Lahlou’s “BOA Panama” collection, with a custom twist of added Xs coming out of the mouth of the snake.

The addition of the Xs is an homage to Madonna’s latest album, Madame X, Lahlou told MWN. “I thought it would be a cool twist for her,” he explained.

Last time Lahlou spoke to Morocco World News, he said that Madonna wearing one of his creations was one of his biggest goals, so for the star to wear one of his hats on the opening night of her tour is a big win for Lahlou,

”Having Madonna wearing my hats is a big accomplishment for me,” Lahlou said. “She is very selective on the designers she wears, so seeing her in my work made me proud!”

Lahlou is Casablanca-born designer, still fresh on the fashion scene. He only launched his namesake brand in January 2017, making his list of accomplishments just two years into his fashion career especially noteworthy.

Within three days of launching his brand of unique, high-fashion hats, Vogue Arabia dubbed it the “breakout brand to watch.” Since then the likes of Nicki Minaj, Usher, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gigi Hadid, have sported Lahlou’s creations. Now of one of the world’s most recognizable stars, Madonna, has joined the growing list of his fans.

Ever ambitious, Lahlou told Morocco World News he hopes to see his designs on even more American superstars, such as Pharrell Williams and Beyonce. However, his hats are not only made for A-list celebrities. He has said that he “seriously thinks anyone can rock a hat” with the right amount of confidence.

He describes his pieces as unique, as they are “made by hand, therefore, my clientele appreciates real craftsmanship. They want something that is a little out of what you find in the hat market at the moment, original pieces that make you stand out.”

All of Lahlou’s hats are painstakingly handcrafted, and every single one is unique, with some of them taking up to 12 months to complete. Prices for Lahlou’s one-of-a-kind pieces start at $350.

Read also: Faces of Moroccan Design: Anwar Bougroug, Innovator of Unisex Fashion

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Rabat – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has reiterated his country’s firm position on Western Sahara. Spain views the United Nations as the only party with legitimate rights to help find an agreed upon political solution to the dispute over the conflict.

 During a speech at the 74th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, Sanchez underlined his country’s stance on Western Sahara.

Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) reported today, September 25 that Sanchez defended the” centrality” of the UN to reach a “political, just, lasting and mutually acceptable solution to the Western Sahara conflict.

The prime minister said that Spain wishes to contribute to “the efforts of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to achieve, in pursuance of Security Council resolutions a  just, lasting, and mutually acceptable solution” to the conflict.

MAP reported that Sanchez, who has made no allusions to self-determination, has so far called for a fair, sustainable, and mutually acceptable solution to the conflict.”

Sanchez’s statement comes after a few weeks after  a document  from the Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE)  stipulated that the Spanish government “supports the  extension of the MINURSO mandate to monitor human rights.” 

The suggestion to extend the MINURSO’s mandate is an unexpected move for Morocco as Sanchez has been a vital voice for Morocco’s interests, especially at the European Union. Sanchez has regularly stood behind Morocco in the fight against irregular migration and counterterrorism.

Sanchez has described Morocco as Spain’s exemplary ally, reiterating his country’s determination to maintain strong diplomatic ties with Morocco.

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Rabat – The WorldFood Moscow International Food & Drink Exhibition opened on September 24. Morocco was among the 1,762 exhibitors at the event.

According to Maghreb Arab Press, the participation of the kingdom in the four-day event (September 24-27) aims to “strengthen the country’s presence in the Russian market and build partnerships in several agricultural production and export chains.”

The 320-square-meters Moroccan stand highlights Morocco’s agri-food sector.  At the stand, 17 national companies showcased their assets to the 30,710 exhibition visitors and buyers.

As mentioned on the exhibition’s website, the event connects, every year, thousands of businesses from around the world with Russia’s key food and drink buyers, including retail representatives from Russia’s leading supermarket chains and food manufacturers.

WorldFood Moscow Exhibition

WorldFood Moscow is a major exhibition serving the global food and drinks industry. “Since its inception in 1991, it has grown to become the entry point for international manufacturers looking to enter the vibrant Russian market,” says the exhibitions’ website.

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Rabat –  Moroccan comedian Gad Elmalah has again responded to the plagiarism accusations that have been plaguing him recently. In an interview with daily French newspaper Le Parisien, Elmaleh said that the accusations are partly true, but have been blown out of proportion.

“Oh, I was inspired by other guys, yes, I admit that. That’s when the stand-up came, with my generation, we were inspired by the Americans, … ” he said.

“Perhaps I have been at ease, taking inspiration from the techniques and punchlines of Americans,” he admitted. “I took inspiration from them. OK, alright. What do I have to do? Is there a confessional for comedians?”

“1 minute and 30 seconds of my show of the 20 or 30 hours of shows that I have done in my life does not summarize my career,” he insisted.

He went on to say that the accusations that have been lobbied against him are “very aggressive, excessive and out of proportion to what is true. There was a base of aggressiveness, a desire to harm.”

“Nobody wants to be displayed in the press as someone who has stolen,” he said.

A year of accusations piling up

The accusations were first thrown at Elmaleh by YouTube channel CopyComic, which exposes plagiarism. The channel targeted Elmaleh multiple times this year, and on July 9, the comedian also took to the media to defend himself.

Speaking to TV channel Europe 1, the comedian said: “I started my career in 1995 with a sketch called ”Monsieur Seguin’s Goat,” it was a ​​parody. I do not know who wrote it (laughs) but it was my vision,” the comedian said, yet again partially admitting “inspiration” was taken but stipulating that he added his own twist.

Just two days after Elmaleh’s TV appearance to defend himself, on Thursday, July 11, French paper “Society” published a possibly damning article revealing the full extent of his supposed plagiarism. Society sought the testimonies of other comedians whose work Elmaleh may have pilfered.

One of these comedians, who chose to remain anonymous and is described by Society as a “renowned humorist,” said that he already had seen two of his sketches stolen by Elmaleh, before a third was revealed by CopyComic.

Marseille-based comedian Kamel Bennafla also came forward to claim that one of Elmaleh’s most famous skit characters, “The Blonde,” a goody-two-shoes who does everything right, was actually his idea.

Bennafla alleges that two met at the Festival d’Avignon in the late 1990s when he was “already a star” and Elmaleh “was still a young comedian.” The two then appeared together on the radio show Europe 2 Avignon, where Bennafla told the story of “a nice blond kid, who does everything well and ridicules others” as part of a skit.

Bennafla alleges that after the show, Elmaleh asked him for the tape so he could use it “to practice his budding comedy skills.”

“Now, when I perform the sketch I thought of a decade ago, people tell me Elmaleh invented it first. I immediately understood how this happened,” said Bennafla.

Elmaleh’s rise to fame

Elmaleh was born in Casablanca to a Jewish family and attended high school in Quebec. At the age of 21, Elmaleh moved to Paris to pursue his dream of acting. The 47-year-old comedian performed comedy in France for over 23 years and gained wide fame there.

The stand-up comedian and actor has starred in several feature films, including “Coco” (2008), “Priceless” (2006), and “La Doublure” (2005). He was voted the “funniest person” in France, and France’s Minister of Culture named him Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. Elmaleh also became a Knight of the National Order of Quebec.

The French-Moroccan’s career skyrocketed even further in recent years, with his own Netflix original show, “Huge in France,” having premiered in April.

It remains to be seen whether the allegations will have a longstanding effect on his career.

Read also: Netflix’s ‘Huge In France’ Stars Moroccan Comedian Gad Elmaleh

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Rabat – The British Embassy in Morocco announced that the repatriation of Thomas Cook customers begins in Morocco today, September 25.

The embassy shared its statement with Morocco World News, emphasizing that  the “first repatriation flight for Thomas Cook customers from Morocco departed as planned.”

The embassy launched cooperation between Moroccan authorities and  staff from the UK, the British embassy in Morocco, and British Consulate in Marrakech to ensure  that “today’s flight, previously scheduled with Thomas Cook, departed on time and as planned.”

Read Also: Morocco Sets Up Crisis Team Following Thomas Cook Shutdown

The embassy added that its staff will continue to work together to ensure assistance to all customers booked on Thomas Cook flights from Marrakech scheduled for this week and next week.

The statement advises the passengers booked on the flights to check the “https://thomascook.caa.co.uk/customers/if-you-are-currently-abroad/”  website for more updates.

The embassy also promised that Morocco will remain a “popular destination” for British tourists.

“With almost 700 000 visiting every year, Morocco is a popular destination for British

tourists and, despite the loss of Thomas Cook, will continue to attract large numbers

of British visitors,” the statement concluded.

The British travel company announced its shutdown on September 23 after a failed plea for private investors to provide  $250 million to save it from collapse.

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Rabat – A promotional banner for Rabat’s Art Biennial, an international art exhibition that will take place once every two years starting this year, has drawn attention for the wrong reasons.

The banner is displayed on the facade of Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and is written in Arabic. 

It is the literal translation of another banner in English saying “As long as following our rules is more important than following our hearts, I will be a feminist.” Unfortunately, that’s not what the corresponding banner says in Arabic.

The mishap has not gone unnoticed by the Moroccan public. The linguistic error was the result of a literal translation from English to Arabic.

Museum director Abdelaziz Idrissi told Morocco World the “banner” displayed at the facade of the museum is an artwork by  Katharina Cibulka from Austria.

“We cannot interfere in the artist’s work, that is why it was displayed as such,” he said.

For the museum director,  there has been no serious linguistic problems. “It could be better if the word feminist was translated differently in the Arabic version.”

A communication official at Morocco’s National Museum Foundation (FNM) told MWN that organizers are well aware of the mistakes contained in the banner, and that they are working on fixing it. 

The official could not comment on the reasons why the banner was publicly displayed before the corrections.

FNM is the organization responsible for managing the majority of Moroccan museums. They are also the organizers of Rabat’s Biennial , taking place from September 24 to December 18, 2019.

Rabat’s Biennial  is an international exhibition dedicated entirely to female artists. It is set in different cultural sites across Rabat.

Read Also: Nameplate at Casablanca Airport Riddled With Grammatical, Lexical Mistakes

This year, 63 artists from 27 countries and different disciplines are exhibiting their works at the event. The theme of this first edition of the biennale is “An Instant before the World.”

The public display of linguistic mistakes comes only one week after a nameplate at Casablanca airport caused controversy. 

The nameplate was riddled with grammatical and lexical mistakes and it sparked a public uproar, with critics asking how the airport personnel missed such a blunder.

The nameplate, which appears to be advertising the newly announced initiative to ease traffic at the Casablanca-based airport, read: “Exit Moroccan passports stamped.” The writing came alongside its Arabic version.

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Rabat – Segula Technologies, a world-renowned group in the automotive engineering sector, has announced the opening of its automotive sector-dedicated “Center of Excellence” in Morocco.

The center, which will be based in Agadir, one of the hubs of Morocco’s growing automotive industry, will be “entirely dedicated” to technological innovation and high quality research in mechanical engineering, the company said in a press release.

It added that the center is expected to help sustain Morocco’s growing automotive sector by providing a pool of highly trained engineers equipped to predict market trends in the technology and automotive sectors and create products adapted to market demands.

“This new center aims to respond to the growing needs of the local automotive industry,” the statement reads.

The center seeks to “accompany” the efforts of investors in the Moroccan automobile industry by training a significant pool of local experts poised to fill vacancies requiring a highly qualified training in various automobile sector-related fields.

Segula Technologies says the new center will be in tune with the state-of-the art developments in the technology and engineering sectors. This will include research and training in “artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing,” two of the French engineering company’s most acknowledged competencies.

In terms of employment, the center also aims to become a leading employment destination for future Moroccan automobile engineers and technology researchers. While the current goal is to employ 300 full-time engineers and researchers by 2020, the long-term plans are far more ambitious.

The group envisions reaching 2000 employees by 2025 and projects to establish itself as the region’s go-to center both research and training in a wide range of engineering fields.

“The launching of this center testifies to Segula’s commitment to advancing Morocco’s automotive sector. Thanks to its world-renowned skills in the entire automotive channel, its innovation capacity and commitment to developing local capacity, the group  has all the potential to be a strategic partner” for Morocco, said Mikael Busbib, director of Segula Technologies’ Morocco branch.

The news comes as Morocco seeks to consolidate its regional leadership position both an investment and innovation hub. The North African has largely reformed its investment policies in the past years to attract world-renowned investors.

In June, world-renowned PSA Group opened in Kenitra, an hour drive from Rabat, its first PSA Peugeot African industrial complex.

During the opening, both PSA leadership and the Moroccan government reiterated the notion that the launching of PSA’s Kenitra plants was part of a larger scheme to make Morocco Africa’s go-to destination for investment and innovation.

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Rabat – Addressing the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held on September 25 in New York, El Othmani stressed the importance of providing African countries with adequate support.

The Head of Government highlighted Morocco’s willingness and commitment to share its expertise in sustainable development with other African nations.

El Othmani emphasized that achieving the SDGs very much depends on the commitment and solidarity of all actors. 

The SDGs provide a blueprint for solving social, economic, environmental, and governance challenges worldwide. Ultimately, the SDGs aim for “a better and more sustainable future for all.”

El Othmani also noted that Morocco took a significant step in coordinating joint international efforts by adopting the SDGs, also known as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in 2015.

Speaking of the limited achievements to date by some African countries, El Othmani called for a new collaborative vision for through 2030 to accelerate the agenda’s implementation.

In this regard, he indicated that Morocco has recently implemented major reforms.

El Othmani mentioned examples of Morocco’s progress. The National Strategy for Sustainable Development aligns with the SDGs, and the third phase of the National Initiative for Human Development began in 2018.

He also cited the Renewable Energy Program, which aims to source 52% of Morocco’s power generation capacity from renewables by 2030.

El Othmani concluded by noting that King Mohammed VI called for the renewal of the national development model with the aim of “promoting progress and development, investing in human capital, and reducing social and spatial disparities.”

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Rabat – The Middle-East & North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Show Morocco kicked off yesterday, September 25, at Menara Airport in Marrakech.

The two-day event provides a platform for business aviation suppliers and buyers to network and establish new relationships in North Africa, through exhibitions and conferences.

More than 2,000 attendees and 70 exhibitors are taking part this year. The Moroccan Minister of Tourism, Air Transport, Crafts, and Social Economy, Mohammed Sajid, inaugurated the event, in the presence of officials and business aviation professionals from all over the world.

The business aviation sector has seen “a clear evolution in the world in general and in the Kingdom [of Morocco] in particular,” said the minister.

The aviation sector in Morocco has developed significantly since the signing of the “Open Sky” agreements between the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), allowing airlines from the EU and the US to fly freely between the two continents.

The “Open Sky” agreement encouraged many major aviation companies “to operate in Morocco and serve our main tourist destinations,” added Sajid.

Since the agreement signing in 2007, Moroccan airports saw an increase in traffic that keeps growing every year. According to the National Office of Airports (ONDA), Moroccan airports received more than 22,5 million passengers in 2018. The number increased by 10,43% compared to 2017.

MEBAA is a non-profit association. It was established in 2006 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The organization aims to provide a platform for members of the business aviation industry in the MENA region to gather, understand, and communicate the needs and benefits of the industry.

Morocco is the only country to host a MEBAA show other than the UAE. Around 68 companies and organizations participated as exhibitors at the 2017 show.

In addition to the MEBAA show, Morocco also hosts the biennial Marrakech Air Show. Since its inception in 2008, the International Marrakech Air Show has convened leading firms in the aerospace industry.

The 2018 Marrakech Air Show took place between September 24 and 27, at the Royal Moroccan Air Force military base in Marrakech. The upcoming show will take place in 2020.

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Rabat – The shooting of Marvel’s next movie, Black Widow, will have A-list Hollywood stars such as Scarlett Johannsen packing their bags for Morocco.

According to online outlet HN Entertainment, Black Widow will be the latest of many blockbuster films to shoot in Morocco. The movie will also feature scenes shot in Norway, England, and Hungary.

While Morocco’s famous scenery is often used as a backdrop in movies to simulate other locations, it’s likely that the movie will actually feature Morocco as a plot point.

The comic book version features Morocco as the location of some major events in the story, including the transformation of Marc Spector, a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.

The movie will be released on May 1, 2020. It will be the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series.

The film is directed by Cate Shortland, written by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson, and stars Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, alongside David Harbour, Florence Pugh, O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz.

Read also: BFI London Film Festival to Feature Moroccan Movie ‘The Unknown Saint’

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Rabat – In a meeting held in Rabat, the Interior Ministry launched a pilot project to set up an integrated system to assist with flood risk management on Tuesday, September 24. 

The Minister Delegate to the Minister of Interior, Noureddine Boutayeb, introduced the Flood Risk Management Center. 

The ministry plans to set up the operational center as part of a pilot project for monitoring, warning, and assistance to flood risk management. The center aims to anticipate and alert the at-risk population of flooding.

The pilot project, financed by the Solidarity Fund against Disastrous Events, will initially be deployed in four areas suffering from flooding. 

According to a statement from the Interior Ministry, the target areas include Mohammedia, Ourika valley (Marrakech), the Gharb plain (Kenitra), and a Saharan zone (Guelmim).

The ministry added that each selected area will have a Provincial Coordination Center, located respectively at the Prefecture of Mohammedia and the Provinces of Al Haouz, Kenitra, and Gulemim.

The Integrated Flood Risk Management System is a partnership approach between the various actors involved in flood risk management. The Interior Ministry, the Water Department of the Ministry of Equipment, and the Directorate of National Meteorology (DMN) are all involved in the project.

“This pilot project would help, in the near future, to broaden the said system to all priority vulnerable zones in the national territory,” the ministry’s statement concluded.

Widespread Flooding leads to loss of life

The ministry’s decision to launch flood risk management centers comes in light of the recent devastating floods that have hit several regions across Morocco in recent weeks.

The floods and heavy rains damaged numerous cities and caused significant casualties. Floods hit the province of Taroudant on August 28. Eight people died in Tizert village when the river overflowed onto the pitch during a football match.

In the city of Tata (180 km southeast of Taroudant), heavy rains flooded and destroyed the homes of 200 locals.

On September 8, similar floods caused a bus connecting Casablanca and Rissani, a town in Errachidia Province, to fall off the Oued Damchan bridge. The accident led to the death of 24 people.

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Rabat – A study carried out by the Moroccan General Delegation of the Penitentiaries and Reinsertion Administration (DGAPR) shows that 42% of Moroccan prisoners have committed the same crime twice.

The study focuses on inmates’ tendency to repeat the same crime. The report reveals that cases, where inmates have reoffended, are the highest among people aged between 25-29, reaching 88% for male convicts.

Mohamed Bouzlafa, dean of the Faculty of Judicial, Economical, and Social sciences of Fez supervised the study which involved a sample of 1,600 inmates. The study shows that reoffending is more common with unmarried inmates at 58%, while only 21% of married inmates reoffended.

The DGAPR study underlined the correlation between education and reoffending. Only 2% of inmates with university-level qualifications reoffended, while 40% of inmates with only primary school education reoffended.

The study also shows that inmates from semi-urban areas are more likely to re-offend. The DGAPR attributes this to “poverty and fragility” in those areas.

Read also: Report Uncovers Serious Gaps, Lack of Security in Moroccan Prisons

DAPGR reports that 31% of repeated crimes are linked to theft, 23% to drugs, and 19% to violent crime. About 39% of inmates in the study said they reoffended due to family problems.

The study also asked inmates why they committed crimes. Of the 1,600 inmates,  42%said financial problems led them to crime. A further 30% said drug addiction pushed them into crime, and 22% attributed their behavior to alcoholism. 

Despite the high number of reoffending inmates, the study shows that only 6% of inmates received government assistance for reintegration. Around 94% of inmates said that they did not benefit from any government assistance before release.

For Bouzlafa, the need to review the penal and criminal policy to reduce the phenomenon is a priority. He points out that this field study on cases of reoffending in prisons confirms that there are gaps in the criminal policy. 

The Dean stresses that governance bodies, civil society institutions, and economic institutions are required to play a greater role in order to give decent living opportunities to prisoners post-release.

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