Moroccan Kingdom

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Moroccan Kingdom

Written by Khaled Ghannam

8/3/2015

Marvelous Arabic County have rich history and, diverse culture. It is located on west of Arab region where its name –in Arabic is west- as it is 8 miles from Spain making it unique pathway between eastern Africa and Europe.

Morocco has diverse geography, starting of African Atlantic Ocean Region and ending of Mediterranean Sea on Tariq Mountain (Gibraltar). It was known as the Far West before discovering the new American continents. Moroccan journey is beginning in golden beaches cities then climbing Atlas Mountain towns ending to Sahara Desert.

Morocco is ancient settlement for Berber tribes known as Amazigh people who established coastal cities from at least 10,000 B.C after they came from Canaan region (east Mediterranean area) like Phoenician coastal cities, especially from Tyre and Acre. This was registered in caves printing, status worshipping Ishtar, agriculture technology, boats manufacturing and dome roof building.

Most important year for Moroccan people was 680 when Musa Bin Nusayr (commander of Muslim army invasion North Africa and west southern Europe) sent Hasan Bin Al-Numan to establish alliance between Muslim army and Berber Tribes to fight Roman Army. Musa Bin Nusayr as Palestinian background was aware about links between him and, Berber roots, he encouraged them to follow Islam without forcing them but offered them power to control themselves. They accepted to follow Islam as Musa Bin Nusayr asked them to rule their region. He asked their army leader Tariq Bin Ziyad to lead Muslim army in Al-Andalus (Spain) battles.

Andalusia was the most developed area in Muslim World, as it was multicultural zone between Arab, Amazigh and Europe; it was the land of culture exchange, mixed married, powered Jews in Society and Ruling County as it was world Research Centre. In 1492 Muslim lost their last city in Andalusia, 200,000 emigrants escaped to Moroccan cities including all Andalusia Jews. Those emigrants enrich Moroccan culture as we can see their touch in everything’s in Morocco until these days.

Moroccan cities were occupied from different European empires start from Portuguese in 1830 followed by Spanish, English and French. Modern independence kingdom of Morocco established in 1956. Still there are three cities being Spanish colonies: Ceuta, Melilla and Plaza de Soberania, Also Gibraltar (Named as Jabal Tariq in Arabic) occupied by British till now. On other hand Western Sahara is struggling to get their independence from Moroccan kingdom from 1957 till now.

Moroccan kingdom rule by king and, elected government through elected parliament, furthermore Trade Union represent in parliament with political parties and, independence politics. On other hand there are several political jails in Morocco especially for extremist Islamic groups, communist’s activist and Polisario Front. Still Morocco is known as democratic country ruled by modern European laws. Majority of Moroccan people accept high level of security restrictions especially after several terrorist attacks, which killed many Innocent civilian people.

Moroccan flag is a symbol of Moroccan blood fought for their country so; most area of the flag is red with green pentagram represent Muslim and Jew values: Five Pillar of Islam and David Star from Jew Heritage. This was aim of their flag to represent society diversity and people unity to empower their modern Kingdom.

Moroccan Traditional Dress is called Djellaba, it is loose long dress as it is hooded garment with full sleeves, and it is same for women and men. To complete this suit, they wear traditional yellow soft leather slipper without heel called Balgha. This is their casual dress where in especial occasions like wedding parties and religious festival they have famous red cap called Bernousse where it is Moroccan unique men head cover where other Arabic men wear headdress known as Hatah.

Arabic language officially is Moroccan tongue still it is far different from the official modern Arabic language, it is more than slang they called it Moroccan-Arabic which is part of African Arabic languages. Walking on any major Moroccan cities and listening to all languages people talks will tell you more about their history. They talk in European languages especially French, as new generation like English still Spanish is popular in northern area. Also, Berber language which called Amazigh is registered as official language since 2011. Finally, Hebrew is spoken by Minority Moroccan Jews.

Moroccan National Anthem is called Ceridian Anthem because Moroccan royal family known as Cherif mean holy blood links with Prophet Muhammad family. Cherifian Anthem as music was written by Leo Morgan in 1956. It used to be just music and rising Moroccan Flag, big celebration in 1970 change this habit, Moroccan Soccer team qualified to FIFA WORLD CUP final stages in Mexico, so finally there is lyrics to say in cherifian anthem was written by Ali Squalli Houssaini.

Moroccan food is Intentional Moroccan Icon, it is a Moroccan gift to other nations, and this food is mixture of Moroccans experience as Arab, Berber and Andalusia emerge in amazing cuisine represent smooth interaction between multicultural Moroccan cities. This food cooked slowly in clay pot used as pan cook called Tagine ghraif which include meat (lamb, chicken and fish mainly) with mix vegetables and herbs as it is full of flavour coming from unique Moroccan species. All Moroccan food cooked with olive oil and sea salt, even for roasted and grilled food.

Tagine have got amazing partner called Couscous which is replacement for rice in all North African countries, preparing Couscous easy and simple especially beside rich flavour of Tagine. Still southern Morocco love to eat Tagine with their traditional bread which called Khobiz, they made it from durum wheat semolina. Atlas mountain people eat Tagine with Pastilla which very close to Couscous still it has rich taste. Tagine is the most famous Moroccan food, but Moroccan People call it different names like Tajine, Tajina or, Harrira.

Moroccan Tea is the most popular drink in all Morocco during all time of the year. They have special pan cook just for their tea, where simply add their wild green tea to lemon mint leaves with water and boil it slowly then serve it in special classes. They like it with much of sugar especially palm sugar. They drink tea all time morning to night, with food or by itself. But tea is demand with their traditional sweet like kaab el ghzal which made of semolina, almond, palm sugar and olive oil.

Morocco is one of Third World Countries facing several development problems mainly in political and economic sectors which also affect the social issues. Poverty reduction is major duties for last three decades by implementing strong government programs with support of European Union and International Organizations. Government successfully deceases parentage of poor people from 16.2% last decade to 9%. Government program was focusing on fertility to slow population growth where it dropped down to 2.3 per adult woman where it was 5.5 before decade. Government encourages women to complete their studies and join nation labours force by promoting just ladies’ jobs as its advice to wages for each home will decrease poverty for whole nation.

Another program for Moroccan Migrants in western country especially France by offering them special tax deal when, they invest in Morocco. Also decentralise project by transfer jobs to rural and remote areas which decease pressure in major cities infrastructure. Still government target to build develop society share modern value with traditional Moroccan vision.

Amazigh language was struggling to survive without government support. It was ignored by educational system and research studies which empower Arabic history and, Andalusia culture. Amazigh is most ancient language in Morocco as it mentioned in all ancient history books written by Greece, Roman and Egyptian. European colonies used to force Berbers to learn western languages especially French. After Morocco get it political independence try hardly to make Arabic language as social language not just as formal government language.

In 1994 Moroccan King AL-HASAN II announced that: Amazigh is ancient Moroccan language need our support, we need to protect our heritage by saving Amazigh language. This was the start point for Barbers new history, they start write in their own language and, teach their new generation their traditional tales, poems, and history. Furthermore, research done by universities to register everything’s relates to Amazigh language and Barber history.

After proudly worked mostly done by Barbers scholars, Moroccan government announced Amazigh as second official language in 2011.

Western Sahara people refused to be part of Moroccan Kingdom when it announced as independence in 1956. Sahara is far southern of Morocco; it is desert with poor resources but strong Bedouin people. Political Polisario Front Leading Western Sahara struggle through United Nations and other international frames, Polisario Front made several uprisings against Moroccan Army like Zelma uprising which gives them support from intonation communities and solidarity from human rights organizations.

Moroccan government accept to give them self-govern state under Moroccan Kingdom, but Polisario Front refused all offer keep them under Moroccan Occupation, they asked for their right to create their own independence state. This is ongoing problem make social and economic problem for Western Sahara people where it is hardly for them to find good jobs in Moroccan Cities because communities don’t deal with them as local as few labelled them with Moroccan enemy. Western Sahara region is looking forward for international investors to develop their country and helping them to get their independence.

Moroccan Jews is opposite to Polisario Front where they feel saver in Moroccan cities. Some Jews migrants to Israel believing it is Religious Country, but they suffered from European Jews whom controlling Israel. They had been forced to change their lifestyle and emerge in Modern Israel, where few accept this to build their Holy land, where majority stick to their roots by establishing their own lifestyle in poor area of Israel cities.

Moroccan Jews did not have travel restriction between Morocco and Israel which keep links between both side of the community through marriage, partnership trading and other social activities. These links encouraged Few Moroccan Jews to leave Israel and return to Morocco.

Moroccan people acknowledge Moroccan Jews as part of Moroccan society as they live peace fully together for long history. Still all Moroccan people support Palestinian struggle following their political parties and royal family policy to clarify that Moroccan government will not recognise Israel as A state before solving Palestine problem. On other hand Moroccans do not blame their own Jews. They differentiate between Jew as A religion and Zionist as political movement controlling everything related to Israel.

Moroccan government facing serious problem with people smuggling trade, part of this problem is local due to poverty and high unemployment, where government is working hard to solve it with help of European Union support. On other hand 15% of Moroccan succeeds to get European Citizenship especially in France, Spain, and Germany.

Still major illegal migrants to Europe are coming from outside Morocco. They choose Morocco because it is 8 miles from Spain mainland and, it is very easy to get visa to Morocco where tourism is one of major economic sector in Morocco. According to European Union statistic 200-500 illegal migrant tried to enter Spain every month during last two years. This issue rises up security problem to Moroccan Government which keeps changing their security plan.

Human rights organizations blame government and people smuggling mafia of migrants’ death. Also ask European Union to help people finding reasonable lifestyle in Third world. Migrants came from all Africa running from wars and economical failures need support and save place to live not dealing with them as criminal trying to enter Europe illegally.

Moroccan government accept Human rights organizations blame by give illegal migrant humanitarian help including extend their visa in Morocco. On other hand illegal migrant are flowing to remote areas searching for ways to enter Europe with high risk dealing with people smuggler mafias. Migrants choose to do so because they cannot see real program to solve their problems.

This is brief coverage about Morocco which can give High lights about it; still there are many things to talk about Morocco. Morocco is rainbow culture mixture between major economic sectors (agriculture, fishing, mining, and tourism). In meanwhile Morocco facing many development problems, lack of human rights and terrorist attack fears. In term of traditional food, clothes, song, dance, and tales: Moroccan people try to keep it as a rich national heritage with open mind to share it with other nations, but western cultures are New Generation demand, where Moroccan families are trying to combine between both by creating modern Moroccan youth.

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