The View From Fez

The Joy of Learning for Atlas Mountain Girls

The Joy of Learning for Atlas Mountain Girls

DEREK WORKMAN, VIEW FROM FEZ: An initiative to provide for the education of a group of young girls in the High Atlas has had an unexpected impact.

 James M. Dorsey

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

GCC: Winds of Change Kept At Bay – At What Price?

JAMES M. DORSEY: Their reluctance to be proactive rather than reactive has so far shielded the GCC from the revolt. The question is for how long, and what’s the price?

 The View From Fez

It’s Official: Morocco is Now Malaria-Free

It’s Official: Morocco is Now Malaria-Free

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Bad news for mosquitoes is good news for residents and tourists. Malaria has finally been eradicated from Morocco.

 Rob L. Wagner

The Saudi Arabian Electoral ‘Experiment’ Continues

The Saudi Arabian Electoral ‘Experiment’ Continues

ROB L. WAGNER: There has been a lot of criticism of Saudi Arabia’s upcoming municipal elections. Some groups, however, know how best to work the system.

 Common Ground News Service

Constitution: Major Boon for Women and Berbers

Constitution: Major Boon for Women and Berbers

FATIMA SADIQI, CGNEWS: The new Moroccan constitution provides great hope for two oft overlooked communities in Morocco – women and Berbers.

 The Moor Next Door

Algeria & Libya: The Big Questions To Answer

Algeria & Libya: The Big Questions To Answer

TMND: It’s becoming clearer by the day that Algeria played a key role in supporting the Qadhafi regime, particularly in its dark, late days. The Algerians face some very uncomfortable questions

 The View From Fez

‘Liquid Gold’ Threatened by Hollywood Stars’

‘Liquid Gold’ Threatened by Hollywood Stars’

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The many properties and benefits of Morocco’s Argan Oil have been known for a very long time but they’ve suddenly come to the attention of film stars and other celebrities. Good news?

 The View From Fez

The Call to Prayer – An Unholy Row Amplified

The Call to Prayer – An Unholy Row Amplified

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Each year the Moroccan Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs receives hundreds of complaints about the noise level…

 The Moor Next Door

North Africa: Berber Renaissance Gains Momentum

North Africa: Berber Renaissance Gains Momentum

THE MOOR NEXT DOOR: They’ve been fighting hard against Qaddafi’s troops but turmoil throughout North Africa has seen an upswing in Berber identity.

 James M. Dorsey

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

Assad Criticism Isolates Iran, Fails to Tackle Key Issues

JAMES M. DORSEY: Irrespective of his motives, King Abdullah has made a major contribution to the ending of the bloodletting in Syria.

 The View From Fez

Medical Tourism: ‘a growing trend’ in Morocco

Medical Tourism: ‘a growing trend’ in Morocco

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: Low prices combined with a growing reputation for excellence mean that many people from Europe and the United States are flocking to Moroccan plastic surgeons.

 The View From Fez

Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites

Moroccan Souks Under Threat: Retail Boom Bites

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The big boys from Europe are moving aggressively into the Moroccan retail space and they’re squeezing the profit margins of souk operators.

 Common Ground News Service

Clash of Civilisations? Two Men Who Lived the Alternative

Clash of Civilisations? Two Men Who Lived the Alternative

LEWIS GROPP, CGNEWS: A recently released documentary highlights much that was little known about Muslim Spain. Its two ‘stars’ are a couple of Islamic and Jewish philosophers.

 M.-Lynx-Qualey

Aswany, IPAF, Translators: Daoud Takes Aim

Aswany, IPAF, Translators: Daoud Takes Aim

M. LYNX-QUALEY: In a wide-ranging discussion at the Shubbak festival Hassan Daoud, the Lebanese novelist and journalist, had much to say…

 The View From Fez

Micro-Finance ‘major boon’ for Morocco’s Poor

Micro-Finance ‘major boon’ for Morocco’s Poor

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: The recent signing of an agreement in Casablanca launching a micro-finance initiative is good news for the poor of Morocco.

 Crossroads Arabia

Soap Operas: The New Front on the ‘War on Syria’

Soap Operas: The New Front on the ‘War on Syria’

CROSSROADS ARABIA: Syrian soap operas have eclipsed Egyptian productions in popularity across the Arab world.

 The View From Fez

Nancy Ajram: Unlikely Icon of Democracy in Morocco

Nancy Ajram: Unlikely Icon of Democracy in Morocco

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: What do Elton John, Haifa Wahbi and Nancy Ajram have in common?

 Juan Cole

‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring

‘All Very Messy’. The Top Five Crises in the Arab Spring

JUAN COLE: Protestors are out on Tahrir Square again, there is a television ‘debate’ in Syria about democracy, the Americans are working on Saleh while vacillating on Libya and protestors are out on the street in Morocco. A busy week in the region then.

 The View From Fez

Moroccan Carpet Scams: We Investigate

Moroccan Carpet Scams: We Investigate

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: There’s wild theatricality and not-a-little pressure but are the frequent tales of grasping Moroccan carpet sellers fact or fiction?

 The View From Fez

Morocco: Tourists Knocking at the Kasbah

Morocco: Tourists Knocking at the Kasbah

THE VIEW FROM FEZ: If you can stay in a rajah’s palace in Rajasthan, then why not a kasbah in Morocco? The answer is they are mostly falling into disrepair…