Journey Beyond Travel...going beyond the destination

The flat valley of Ait Bouguemez in the Jbel M’Goun National Park has been catching lots of attention from trekkers looking for something off the beaten path in Morocco. Similar to the view of Mount Toubkal while hiking in the High Atlas Mountains, the Bouguemez Valley is richly diverse in its agriculture and people. Old strong-fort houses align the hillsides while farmers thresh corn with their work mules.
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September 7th, an important day in Morocco. More than fifteen million people will have the chance to vote. More than seventy percent of those registered have already picked up their voter cards which may mean a good turn out. Those who have waited can apply for voter cards up to election day. Some officials have expressed voter turnout could be an expression on the credibility of the elections.
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Maternal deaths are down. With the help of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), women dying during childbirth has dropped. In 2004, approximately 220 mothers died giving birth in Morocco. That rate had come down from more than 300 in 1986. Two deaths have been recorded in the past four years. This is all with help from a program developed under the UNFPA. Mothers-to-be coming to National Hospital for Maternal Health Orangers are given a little blue book by the Ministry of Health. This booklet documents the pre-natal visits and has information on previous pregnancies and any complications and problems. Medications taken by the mother are also listed. Information about pregnancy and motherhood are also included. Most women now using the public health system have the little blue books. (more…)

Get involved in politics and get out and vote. That is the essence of the message given by King Mohammed VI to all Moroccans. He took the opportunity to talk about the upcoming elections on the 54th Anniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People. (more…)

Kuwait sent a delegation to take part in the 29th Asilah International Cultural Festival held in Morocco. Participation by the large delegation was a boost to the symposiums held at the Al-Muatamed Ben Ebad Summer University. Moroccan Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Ben-Issa, praised the Kuwaiti delegation calling it valuable. (more…)

The Moroccan football team has a new coach. Mr. Henri Michel will be replacing Mohamed Fakhir. Henri Michel is no stranger to Morocco as he coached the Atlas Lions in their bid for the 1998 World Cup in France. He managed the Moroccan team from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Michel left his coaching job with the Egyptian Zamalek team earlier this month. It has been said that he was negotiating with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to move to the Moroccan National Team. Henri Michel, a proven coach, took the Ivory Coast to the World Cup finals in 2006, played in Germany. (more…)

Morocco struck gold a second time at the World University Games being held in Thailand at Thammasat University. Runner, Mohamed Fadil of Morocco, who took the gold in the half marathon, last Saturday, repeated the feat in the 10,000 meter race. His time of 30:19.41, barely beat out his fellow African rivals, Simon Aveko, from Uganda, and Stephen Mokoka, fromSouth Africa. Their times were 30:22.58 and 30:31.78, respectively. Fadil’s wins give Morocco two gold medals, the first ever for this African country. His teammate, Najim El Gady took the silver in the half marathon, giving Morocco three medals.

Morocco struck gold for the first time. Moroccan runner Mohamed Fadil took the gold medal in the half marathon race in Bangkok in the World University Games. National Stadium at Thammasat University was the venue for the race. Fellow countryman Najim El Gady took the silver, and Japan’s entry came in third. Mohamed Fadil’s time was 1 hour, 5 minutes and 49 seconds. He beat his team mate by 25 seconds. (more…)

Another round is scheduled to begin on August 10 in the UN-backed talks to find a solution to the long standing dispute over the Western Sahara. The Moroccan delegation will be let by Interior Minister, Chakib Benmoussa, Deputy Minister Taieb Fassi Fihri, Chairman of CORCAS, Khalihenna Ould Errachid, CORCAS secretary, Maouliainine Kahllihenna,Chief of Morocco’s Intelligence, Yassine Mansouri, and Super Governor of Oued Dahab, Mohamed Salel Tamek. They will be accompanied by top level Moroccan officials from the southern provinces.
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Morocco is taking care of its future. It’s medical future, that is. By the year 2020 Morocco will be training 3,300 doctors. At the present, only 900 students are enrolled in medical schools. The World Health Organization has put Morocco on the list of countries that have a shortage of healthcare professionals. Beginning with the 2008-2009 academic year, at least 1,300 students will be enrolled in pharmacy and medical schools. (more…)

Two magazines, one French language, Tel Quel and Arabic, Nichane were seized last Saturday by the Minister of the Interior. The magazines allegedly published articles said to be disrespectful to King Mohammed VI, offensive to Islam and against public morality. The director of the magazines, Ahmed Reda Benchemsi, was questioned by the police. In a press release, the Prime Minister’s office said that the government respects the judgments and decisions of the justice system and independence of the judiciary.This new case comes when Parliament is considering a new Press Code in which the government gives the press more freedoms. (more…)

King Mohammed VI had a busy day on July 31. Tuesday was the eighth anniversary of the King’s enthronement. In a speech was given as part of the Throne Day Activities by His Highness. As Supreme Commander and Chief of Staff of the Royal Armed Forces,King Mohammed VI, praised the military and promised better living conditions for the troops and their families. His Majesty addressed his remarks to the officers who had recently graduated from various military and security schools throughout Morocco. These men were there to take part in the Throne Day celebrations. While expressing his gratitude for the many ways the military members have served Morocco, he named this graduating class after the late Sheikh Maaoulainin, a leader among the Saharan Tribes known for his struggles against colonialism. The Sheikh died in 1910. The King expressed his pride in the modern training the officers receive. He promised that the army would keep receiving such training. (more…)