Uncategorized

Exciting Places to Visit in Morocco ABOUT MARRAKECH Although Morocco is a country of Africa, in many ways it is a country apart. It is more related to the Mediterranean than to the rest of Africa. It is mainly because of the fact that it nestles on the northwestern of Africa and is separated from the rest of the continent by Atlas Mountains and the Sahara itself. Being situated with both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, mountainous interior, it stayed independent for centuries. However, the country have developed a rich culture blended from Arab, Berber, European and African influences. Morocco is an ethnically diverse country with a rich culture and civilization. Tourism plays an important role for Morocco’s economy. The mixture of the cultures that have come here through history has made Morocco an exciting place to visit. Beaches, museums, archaeological sites, historical places and monuments and art galleries are among attractions to visit. Being dominated by the mountains in the north, and by the desert in the South, Morocco makes sunning on the sandy beaches and trekking the high mountains available both. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco. It has many historical monuments and some of Morocco’s most important museums, due to its significant architectural heritage. The Doors of the Kasbah of Oudaïa, The Minaret of The Mosque Hassan (XIIe century) and the Necropolis of Chellah are among the best places to see in Rabat. Also Morocco’s best archaeological museum, as well as the several ones , The Main Royal Palace and important learning institutions exist in the city. Rabat is a commercial and industrial city and play a major economic role for Morocco.Casablanca has one of the largest artificial ports in the world. It is the major city in Morocco and the country’s economic capital. It offers a lot of resorts and its many beaches attract surfers. As a landmark of Morocco, the Mosque of Hassan II is the biggest and the most important mosque in North Africa. Its traditional Islamic and Arabic architecture is very important and is one of the most striking monuments. Also La Corniche, Quartiers des Habous, Palace Royal are places to see in Casablanca. Marrakech is a commercial and touristic centre. It is a cultural destination. Djamaa El Fna – Square, El Badi Palace, Koutoubia Minaret & Koutoubia Gardens are charming places for tourists.Essaouira has a beautiful beach and suitable place for windsurfing. Its festivals of Andalusian and Gnawa music, its medina, pleasant climate and the beaches attract tourists.Ouarzazate, Tangier, Fez, Meknes are among major cities of Morocco. Museums of Morocco such as the Dar Batha of Fez, the Oudaïa museum of Marrakech are appealing. They reflect the wealth of the Moroccan cultural heritage.Markets of Morocco with carpets, statues in wood, and jewelry are charming. Morocco is described as a land of art and emotions. As a result, painters have always been interested in Morocco. Delacroix, Matisse, Torres, Miro, Francis Bacon and Edouard Degas are among these names who have been fascinated by charming local scenes.In order to learn more, let’s watch videos and read articles of Travelovideo!.. Marrakech Tours 8-Day Imperial Cities Click here 9-Day Morocco Honeymoon Click here Morocco Family Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Marrakech ABOUT MARRAKECH Click here My Top 10 Marrakech Click here Mount Toubkal Morocco Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks. Read More

6 Romantic Things to Do In Morocco Tours ABOUT MARRAKECH Morocco is a land of enticement, which attracts the tourists to visit there again and again and make them indulge in the entire beauty of the place. From an extensive array of the outdoor pursuits, different culture, food and history to amazing beaches and most luxurious hotels money can purchase, this really has something for people. For the adventurous traveler, there are plenty of opportunities to submerge you in the local tradition along with the welcoming communities, which can offer the unforgettable experience. There are lots of romantic things to do for a couple. Cascades d’Ouzoud, Middle Atlas When you desire to get the Best Morocco Tours with your loved one, you will have to make sure that you choose some great activities. An inspiring place the Cascades d’Ouzoud water falls are all set in the stunning countryside in the middle of the Atlas Mountains. The entire area remains un-spoilt in spite of the interest from adventurous tourists but there is the beautiful camp site and Moroccan community close by. Visiting the beautiful place would be great for you and your loved one. Beach Resorts What else can be most romantic than walking in the stunning beaches? So, when you are opting for getting the Best Morocco Tours, relishing the romantic vacation in beaches would be a picture-perfect situation for you. This place is a home to some of the most stunning beaches and numerous beach resorts provide the extravagance along with some outdoor pools, fantastic restaurants as well as spacious guest accommodation. Camel trekking Imagine just sitting on top of a camel, trekking through the Sahara Desert just like the caravans of old. Silence encircles you as the only sound is that of camels’ cleft feet plodding along the soft sand. So, no matter where you actually look, never-ending stretches of the sand confront you. Far from the stress of contemporary life, you take pleasure in the peace and tranquility of the beautiful solitude. This is what camel trekking in the Moroccan Sahara desert is about, and this is a great introduction to romantic adventure travel! Hot air balloon ride If you want to try a beautiful and adventurous activity during your villa holidays then you might opt to consider taking the exciting hot air balloon ride. As well as being a thrilling day out for the whole family, this will surely provide you the exclusive opportunity to see some of the beautiful sights from various vantage points. In fact, this can be a perfect way to start your trip if you are staying in luxury Marrakech villas as it will offer you an opportunity to see the layout of the city and plan some of the sights you want to visit once you have touched down safely. Dinner on rooftop If you want to make your holiday more romantic with your loved one, then nothing can beat a beautiful dinner scenario. The lip-smacking delicacies in a picturesque backdrop on the rooftop would make your holiday absolutely amazing. Atlas Mountains Check out the beautiful Atlas Mountains to get a stunning view of the natural scenery. While you are there, you may desire to stay in a luxury hotel that is an extravagance situation for the honeymoon or romantic escape. Marrakech Tours 8-Day Imperial Cities Click here 9-Day Morocco Honeymoon Click here Morocco Family Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Marrakech ABOUT MARRAKECH Click here My Top 10 Marrakech Click here Mount Toubkal Morocco Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks. Read More

Experience Morocco With Cultural Tours ABOUT MARRAKECH Culture of morocco tells us about the ethics and civilization followed by the people. Moroccan cultural tours says about the people, their behavior, tradition followed and many other concept which is considered as most important and essential as well as most required for the people. These cultural tours comes up with wide thoughts followed, it may beliefs, set of behavior to be followed by the people, festival and their religion. Culture of morocco comprises of wide and detailed history of the people and their tradition. Morocco tours and holidays enable the people to know more about the morocco culture tours. Art and culture in morocco is excellent and it beautifully tells the people regarding the social structure of morocco. Morocco cultural tours specify the ethics, civilization, religion, diversification and all their specifications. The cultural language of morocco is entirely different and it distinguishes itself from other languages. Morocco culture comes up with Berber tents and camel trek and morocco women are more civilized and they are customized. Fes guesthouse, morocco climate, morocco women, morocco food, morocco education and lot more says about the cultural tours in morocco. Morocco culture offers a pleasant, traditionalized, customized and relaxed culture to the people and it make the Moroccan to be enjoyed with the cultural civilization. The mixture of the French language and the Islamic religion make Morocco a unique destination for us. It is important for travelers to learn as much as possible in advance so that we can travel respecting these differences and minimizing any negative impacts. Modest dress and a few words in local language are the keys to unlocking the doors of local interaction in Morocco. A respect and understanding of the differences between yourself and the other citizens of the world will make for beneficial interaction for all parties. In particular your visit to the small village Imlil in the High Atlas Mountains and the experience of camping in the Sahara with the Berber people gives you the opportunity to share the best of yourself and receive the best the locals of these environs have to offer. This will be a life time experience for you. Trekking in the Atlas Mountains will surely make for an incredible holiday. The tiny villages perched on the sides of the mountain, the warmth and hospitality of the Berber people and the spectacular views over there all add up to an amazing Atlas Mountain holiday. Marrakech or Marrakech, known as the “Red City” or “Al Hamra,” is a famous city with a population of 1,036,500 in southwestern Morocco, near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. After Casablanca, Marrakesh is the second largest city in Morocco and was known to early travelers as “Morocco City.” Prior to the advent of the Almoravids in the 11th century, this area was ruled from the city of Aghmat. Marrakech has the largest traditional market in Morocco and also has the busiest square in the entire continent of Africa, which is called Djemaa el Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, dancers, water sellers and musicians by day; and food stalls by night, becoming a huge open-air restaurant. Like many North African and Middle Eastern cities, Marrakech is comprised of both old fortified city the medina and an adjacent modern city called Gueliz. It is served by Menara International Airport and a rail link to Casablanca and the north. Book Your Morocco Cultural Tour

Craftsmanship in Morocco – Source of Art and Creativity ABOUT MARRAKECH There is no doubt that craftsmanship is a very important part of the heritage for all countries, mostly because it is a mirror that reflects their cultural and historical richness. In Morocco, visitors will be delighted with the excellent and varied types of craftsmanship that express the unique savoir-faire of Moroccan craftsmen, so full of creativity. But what is specific to Moroccan craftsmanship, and what are its famous faces and genres? First of all, simplicity is the main characteristic of Moroccan craftsmanship, especially since craftsmen rely on natural materials such as animal skin (of which are made traditional shoes, called “L’balgha” for men and “sherbil” for women),wool (used in traditional carpets, covers, and clothes like djellabas for men) , wood (for making tables, chairs, doors, windows, beds and all sorts of furniture and decorative items), silk (for making traditional clothes for women, embroidery, etc.), clay (such as the “Zellige” mosaic tiles that are used for decorating walls and floors in traditional Moroccan buildings, or some musical instruments like the “Taarija”), etc . Also, Moroccan craftsmen relay on very traditional materials and the beauty of the Moroccan craftsmanship can be admired in all Morocco, but especially in the old medinas. There you will find the most refined and elaborate crafts in all sorts of magnificent buildings, such as palaces, Kasbahs, riads and ksours, as well as in items of furniture (Carpentry, carpets, etc.), decoration (ceramics, “jellidj”, sculptures, etc.), and clothes (djellabas, kaftans, “jabadors”, etc.). There are many types of Moroccan crafts. For instance, jewellery is by itself a whole world of artistry divided into Berber traditional jewellery and other types of jewellery from other cities such as Fez, as well as more modern and contemporary jewellery. Berber jewellery exists mostly in South Morocco, especially in Tiznit, and it is a king of jewellery made of silver. Other styles of jewellery, like that of Fez, are mostly made of gold. There is also the art of “Zellige” or mosaic tile making, and Fez is its main place. There is the leather craft as well, which can be found in the souks of most Moroccan market cities like Marrakech, Tétouan, Fez or Taroudant. And last but not least, you can admire the traditional embroidery that exists in all Moroccan old medinas, such as Fez, Marrakech and Rabat. Beginning centuries ago, Moroccan women decorated their hands and feet with henna for special occasions. Later these patterns were transferred onto pottery and then into embroidery, which is extremely precise and intricate. In short, we can say that Morocco is a very rich country in terms of craftsmanship, which is an excellent window on its fertile and great civilisation. If you want to discover the beauty of Moroccan craftsmanship, you are welcome to Marrakech, Morocco’s favourite destination, which gives you an exciting opportunity to know more about the country’s wonderful arts and crafts, so full of beauty and creativity. Marrakech Tours 8-Day Imperial Cities Click here 9-Day Morocco Honeymoon Click here Morocco Family Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Marrakech ABOUT MARRAKECH Click here My Top 10 Marrakech Click here Mount Toubkal Morocco Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks. Read More

Morocco – Culture, Climate and Information ABOUT MARRAKECH Morocco is one of the most visited places in the world. People love to come to this area and learn about Morocco’s culture and people first hand. Not only that, but Morocco (because of its location) has some of the best weather to bring in tourists. People come from all over the world to see what the fuss is about in this area, and once they get there, they always leave feeling like they have just had the vacation of their life. There are many different regions in Morocco, and each one has its own way of contributing to the national culture of this area. It’s great to go to Morocco, because you get to see how successful Morocco has become by combining influences from Jewish, Arabic, French and even Spanish customs. Also, during more recent years there are also a lot of Anglo American lifestyles to be found in this area. When you come to Morocco, the first thing you are going to want to do is eat. The food in Morocco is unlike any other food you have ever had. Most cuisines use a little bit of spice to add flavor to their food, however, Moroccan cuisines have tons of spices to make the flavor of their food stick out a lot more than other areas of the world. Their food is really a mix of Spanish, Corsican, Moorish, and Middle Eastern food (as well as a few others). When you first try this food, you are going to notice that it is like nothing that you have ever had before. Chicken is the most used meat in Morocco, and they spice it up with things like saffron, mint, and olives. They are also very famous for flavoring chicken with orange. The most commonly eaten red meat in Morocco is, of course Beef, however, lamb is preferred. Of course, this is out of the budget of most people that live there. When coming to Morocco you should try to come during the spring or fall months. During the summer it gets very hot in this area of Africa. However, it’s nice to know that the areas where most of the tourists go (the coastal plains) are not nearly as bad as the interior regions of this area. As you get father toward the mountainous area, you will see that the weather becomes much more extreme. Another thing that is worth doing while you are in Morocco is try listening to some of there great music. In fact Morocco is home to Andalusian classical music. This is a style of music that was found in the north part of Africa. The music that they play is great and very relaxing and sure to put a smile on anyone’s face that visits. When you come to Morocco, you have a lot of things to see and do. However, one thing is for sure. When you leave Morocco you are going to leave with more culture than when you first came. They have tons of great ideas (both with food and music) that they would love to share with the world. Living in this area must be amazing, but visiting it is just as nice. Credit : Jaffar Wilson Marrakech Tours 8-Day Imperial Cities Click here 9-Day Morocco Honeymoon Click here Morocco Family Tour Adventure Click here What To Know About Marrakech ABOUT MARRAKECH Click here My Top 10 Marrakech Click here Mount Toubkal Morocco Click here Best Things to Do in Casablanca, Morocco The contrast of magnificent architecture and unforgettable history makes Casablanca a fascinating place to visit. It is the amazing city that is gaining in popularity every year as it becomes cheaper to fly to Morocco. Read More My Top 10 Marrakech it was our first visit to the city and we all loved it! Definitely somewhere we will be going back to soon! So here are our 10 favorite experiences in Marrakech from the trip. Read More 5 Stunning Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco had always been a country I was curious about. It’s blend of North African and Arabic influences gave it this air of mystique that drew me in. Plus, you know, I like couscous. So I had high expectations when I decided to pop over from Spain and explore the country for three weeks. Read More

Moroccan Jewish Museum in Casablanca Morocco’s rich Jewish heritage is a unique piece of history that is unknown to most travelers – and that in itself is reason enough to explore it on your next holiday to this exotic country. Although Jews historically lived in mellahs (or Jewish Quarters) in a number of Moroccan cities, including Fez and Marrakech, a majority of the Jewish population in Morocco today resides in Casablanca today. It is here that you will be able to find a thriving Jewish community along with a host of relevant monuments, communal spaces, kosher restaurants, cemeteries, shrines, and museums. One of the most impressive sights is the Museum of Moroccan Judaism (Musée du Judaisme Marocain) and often simply called the Moroccan Jewish Museum, this museum in Casablanca a one-of-a-kind history and ethnography institute dedicated to past, present, and even future life of Jewish life in Morocco. A Unique Museum The exhibitions and collections dedicated to Morocco’s Jewish heritage is a solid reason to allow for a one to two hour visit. But, the museum’s history adds an impressive backstory to its rich collections. Interestingly, the building housing the Jewish Museum was actually an active part of Jewish life in Morocco itself. Although the museum only opened in the late 1990s, the structure containing it was built in 1948 by Célia Bengio who named it Home d’Enfants Murdock Bengio. The building functioned as an orphanage dedicated to protecting orphaned Jewish youth in Casablanca and gained its namesake after the founder’s late husband. The orphanage was closed in the mid-1990s and thereafter the building underwent extensive renovations to take its current form, opening in 1997, becoming North Africa and the Middle East’s first (and still only) museum dedicated to the preservation of Jewish culture, heritage, and history. It’s the second Jewish museum in the Muslim world; the first being founded in Istanbul, Turkey. The Museum Today The museum’s historical value is truly impressive, but its precious treasures lie within its walls neatly organized into a host of rich collections and exhibitions. Enclosed within is a large multipurpose room, five exhibition rooms, and a library containing a host of documents, videos and photographs. The main room hosts temporary as well as permanent art exhibitions featuring paintings, photographs and sculpture relevant to the history of Jewish life in Morocco. Three of the exhibition rooms are dedicated to showcasing daily life artifacts used by Jewish populations in Morocco and the other two are exquisite reproductions of Moroccan synagogues. In total, the spacious museum covers an area of 700 meters-squared and features a number of relevant artifacts that trace the history of Jews in Morocco ranging from photographs, carpets, Moroccan kaftan, traditional household tools, Torah scrolls, and much more. These items tell the story of Jewish life in Morocco, demonstrating how two seemingly disparate faiths came together throughout time to create a rich and unique cultural heritage.

Casablanca Jewish Heritage Casablanca is respectively admired for its longstanding Jewish Heritage. Casablanca is the perfect place to take a Jewish Heritage Tour. The Jewish community in Casablanca, Morocco has a strong history that has survived along with it’s synagogues, cemeteries, monuments and shrines. When visiting Casablanca a Jewish Heritage tour from the Port or from your hotel offers insight into the ties of the historic Jewish community and what remains today. The 4,500 Casablancan Jews in Casablanca live outside the mellah in the European city, where they worship in over 30 synagogues, eat in kosher restaurants, entertain themselves in community centers, and attend Jewish schools and social service centers. Jewish Casablancans worship at Temple Beth El, the largest synagogue and an important community center, seating 500 persons. The Jewish community of Casablanca also contributed to the construction of the Hassan II Mosque, the second largest in the world. On a Jewish Heritage Tour it is possible to visit the Muslim shine of Sidi Belyout. Some Jews visit annually the Muslim shrine of Sidi Belyout, Casablanca’s patron saint. Many Jews of Casablanca celebrate the hiloula of the saint Yahia Lakhdar in Ben Ahmed, about an hour south of Casablanca near the town of Settat. On a Jewish Heritage Tour you will start your morning off visiting Casablanca’s Jewish Sacred sites and then continue seeing the highlights of old Casablanca. The synagogues, cemeteries, monuments and communal institutions of Casablanca show how important the city has been to the Jewish community during the twentieth century. Temple Beth-El:Visit Temple Beth-El, the Jewish Synagogue in Casablanca. Beth-El, is considered the center piece of a once vibrant Jewish community. Its stained glass windows and other artistic elements, is what attracts tourists to this synagogue. Jewish Mellah: The mellah of Casablanca is young by Moroccan standards, not much more than a century old. It assaults the senses in the evening, with a sea of women in brightly colored djellabahs carrying and selling fruit and vegetables throughout the cramped, narrow streets. While Jews no longer live in the mellah, kosher butchers are found in the old market, next to other butchers selling horse meat. The Jewish cemetery in the mellah is open and quiet, with well-kept white stone markers in French, Hebrew and Spanish. Once a year, Casablancans celebrate a hiloula, or prayer festival, at the tomb of the Jewish saint, Eliahou. Visit the Museum of Moroccan Judiasm in Casablanca. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism of Casablanca is a museum of history and ethnography, created by the Jewish Community of Casablanca in 1997 with the support of the Foundation of Jewish-Moroccan Cultural Heritage. The Jewish Museum in Casablanca is tucked into a residential neighborhood and holds a treasure trove with it being the Arab region’s only Jewish Museum. It uses world-class standards of conservation for its national and international collections. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism presents religious, ethnographic and artistic objects that demonstrate the history, religion, traditions and daily life of Jews in the context of Moroccan civilization. The Jewish Heritage tour includes a visit of the Jewish Museum in Casablanca also referred to as the Museum of Moroccan Judaism which covers an area of 700 square meters, is the first of its kind in the Arab world. It consists of: – A large multipurpose room, used for exhibitions of painting, photography and sculpture– Three other rooms, with windows containing exhibits on religious and family life (oil lamps, Torahs, Chanukah lamps, clothing, marriage contracts (ketubot) Torah covers… and exhibits on work life;– Two rooms displaying complete Moroccan synagogues;– A document library, a video library and a photo library.– The Museum offers guided visits, sponsors seminars and conferences on Jewish-Moroccan history and culture, and organizes video and slide presentations. On special request, it organizes group visits in Arabic, French, English or Spanish.

Morocco is Jewish History Where to Go With its mountains and desert, beach resorts and Berber villages, Morocco is a feast for travelers of all kinds, including those who want to explore the kingdom’s deep Jewish roots. The presence of Jews in Morocco stretches back more than 2,000 years. Before the founding of Israel in 1948, estimates put their number as high as about 275,000, which was considered the largest Jewish community in the Muslim world, said Roy Mittelman, director of the Jewish studies program at The City College of New York. Today, after vast waves of departures over the years, only about 2,000 Jews remain in Casablanca and about 500 elsewhere in Morocco, but the Jewish presence is still alive in a variety of sights. The Museum of Moroccan Judaism in suburban Casablanca, for instance, is the only museum on Judaism in the Arab world. Jews of Moroccan descent, in Israel and around the globe, return to the North African kingdom often and some maintain second homes in familial regions. Jewish heritage tours to Morocco are abundant and easy to track down. Most cities have a mellah, which is an old Jewish quarter, along with Jewish cemeteries and synagogues. Mittelman, who has spent 40 years absorbing the history, culture and religious practices of Jews in Morocco, leads groups of students on tours of Jewish sights as part of an advanced seminar. He said there’s plenty to read ahead of a visit. He recommends Shlomo Dessen’s “The Mellah Society: Jewish Community Life in Sherifian Morocco” for more on pre-colonial Morocco, based on the writings of 18th- and 19th-century Judeo-Moroccan sages.

Moroccan Schools to Teach Jewish History and Culture Jewish history and culture in Morocco will soon be part of the school curriculum — a “first” in the region and in the North African country, where Islam is the state religion. The decision “has the impact of a tsunami,” said Serge Berdugo, secretary-general of the Council of Jewish Communities of Morocco. It “is a first in the Arab world,” he told AFP from Casablanca. For years, although the kingdom had no official relationship with Israel, thousands of Jews of Moroccan origin visited the land of their ancestors, to celebrate religious holidays or make pilgrimages, including from Israel. But Morocco this week became the fourth Arab nation since August to announce a US-brokered deal to normalise relations with Israel, following the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said liaison offices would be reopened in Tel Aviv and Rabat, which Morocco closed in 2000 at the start of the second Palestinian uprising, and full diplomatic relations would be established “as rapidly as possible”. Morocco confirmed the deal, saying King Mohammed VI had told outgoing US President Donald Trump his country had agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel “with minimal delay”. – ‘Inoculation against extremism’ – The decision to add Jewish history and culture to lessons was discreetly launched before the diplomatic deal was announced. Part of an ongoing revamp of Morocco’s school curriculum since 2014, the lessons will be included from next term for children in their final year of primary school, aged 11, the education ministry said. The move aims to “highlight Morocco’s diverse identity”, according to Fouad Chafiqi, head of academic programmes at the ministry. Morocco’s Jewish community has been present since antiquity and grew over the centuries, particularly with the arrival of Jews expelled from Spain by the Catholic kings after 1492. At the end of the 1940s, Jewish Moroccans numbered about 250,000 — some 10 percent of the population. Many left after the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, and the community now numbers around 3,000, still the largest in North Africa. Jewish presence in Moroccan culture now appears in the primary-level social education curriculum, in a section dedicated to Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, known as Mohammed III. The 18th-century Alawite ruler chose the port of Mogador and its fortress, built by Portuguese colonists, to establish the coastal city of Essaouira. Under his leadership, the diplomatic and commercial centre became the only city in the Islamic world counting a majority Jewish population, and at one point had 37 synagogues. “While there was a Jewish presence in Morocco before the 18th century, the only reliable historical records date back to that time,” Chafiqi said. – Tolerance, diversity – Two US-based Jewish associations — the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP) — said they “worked closely with the Kingdom of Morocco and the Moroccan Jewish community” on the “groundbreaking” academic reform. “Ensuring Moroccan students learn about the totality of their proud history of tolerance, including Morocco’s philo-Semitism, is an inoculation against extremism,” leaders of the two organisations said in a statement published on Twitter last month. Also in November, Education Minister Said Amzazi and the heads of two Moroccan associations signed a partnership agreement “for the promotion of values of tolerance, diversity and coexistence in schools and universities”. The accord was symbolically inked at Essaouira’s “House of Memory”, which celebrates the historic coexistence of the city’s Jewish and Muslim communities. Among those present was Andre Azoulay, a member of the local Jewish community who is also an adviser to King Mohammed VI. The king, Morocco’s “Commander of the Faithful”, has pushed for a tolerant Islam that ensures freedom of worship for Jews and foreign Christians. In September 2018, at a UN roundtable, he emphasised the role of education in the fight against racism and anti-Semitism. Morocco “has never erased its Jewish memory,” said Zhor Rehihil, curator of Casablanca’s Moroccan Jewish Museum — the only one of its kind in the region. History teacher Mohammed Hatimi said introducing Jewish identity into Morocco’s education programme would help nurture “future citizens conscious of their diverse heritage”. The move will also be part of a revision of the secondary school curriculum set for next year, according to Chafiqi from the education ministry.

The Top Things To See And Do In Tangier, Morocco Tangier, the gateway to Africa, never ceases to mesmerize its countless number of visitors each year. Here we list the top 10 things to see and do in this fascinating Moroccan town. Get Lost In The Kasbah Enter through the beautiful Bab Haha gate and wander through the cobbled residential and commercial alleyways of the Kasbah walls. The most enjoyable and least stressful way to see the sites is not by looking for them, but by stumbling across them. In the likely event of getting lost be sure to keep walking uphill and you will be sure to find one of the babs, (doors) that allow you to exit the premises. You will at some point during your stroll come across the famous 17th-century palace, now transformed into a museum and located off the Place du Menchoar. It is home to an interesting array of relics aging from the Stone Age to the 20th century. The hilltop locations of the Kasbah give visitors sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. See The Grande Mosquée Of Tangier During the fifth century this was the site of a Roman temple. After the Portuguese conquest it was converted into cathedral and during the eighth century its central location seemed suitable for place of Muslim prayer; it was turned into a mosque. It has since been converted back to a church and then back again to a mosque. The series of conversions it has undergone during its time make it a fascinating example of Morocco‘s rich and varied history, as well as an architectural point of interest. Enjoy A Delicious Glass Of Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice With a sub-tropical Mediterranean climate, oranges have become somewhat of a celebrity item within Morocco in general. Available in abundance everywhere a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice should be easy to find and worth the money. However if you want ice ensure it is made from bottled water. Stroll The Beach Promenade Over the years as the tourism industry grows, funding has been invested in sustaining the cleanliness of cities and sites around Morocco. The beaches of Tangier have especially reaped the benefits of this. They are an oasis outside of the city, with golden sand and sparkling blue waters. The beaches’ proximity to the port mean that an ambiance of hustle and bustle always exists. Being the gateway to Africa from Europe is something that keeps the place busy and colorful. Visit St Andrew’s Church St Andrew’s Church is one of Tangier’s most mesmerizing sites. Completed in 1905 as a gift from King Hassan I of Morocco, this popular tourist site is a fusion of different architectures and styles, reflecting Morocco’s multicultural population. The church is a focal point for Christians in Tangier. It also exhibits Quranic inscriptions on its Moorish interior and marks the direction of Muslim prayer to Mecca. A visit to this religious holy site gives a new meaning to the interfaith experience. Visit The American Legation Museum Museum, Building Unknown to many people is that Morocco was the first country to recognize the USA as an independent state after the revolutionary war. Located within the hustle of the Medina, this museum adds a somewhat foreign feel to the city. With an unusual 1940s vibe, this museum transports you to a different time and has an array of engaging exhibitions, including one on Paul Bowles. A must-see is the locally famous painting often termed the ‘Moroccan Mona Lisa’. Enjoy A Mint Tea In Petit Socco Historically, the Petit Socco was known as a place of drug dealers and prostitutes. Fortunately, the region is now a harmless square where people drink mint tea or orange juice as they watch the world go by. Unlike the packaged teabag versions, Moroccan mint tea is made with fresh mint leaves and a touch of sugar. This results in a deliciously refreshing drink. Relax At The Grand Socco Where the old and new meet, the Grand Socco is where the wide road diverges into narrow cobbled streets. With a mosque to one side and cinema on the other, this place is a crossroads between the ages. Spend your cash at the traditional market stalls which sell a variety of kaftans, dried nuts and fresh foods. The central fountain is surrounded by benches, making it a perfect place to experience this meeting point of eras. Watch A Film At The Cinema Rif Located in the vicinity of the Grand Socco , this cinema is not hard to find, and is a popular hangout for locals. Streaming both mainstream and independent films in a colonial style building, a trip to this cinema is an authentic Tangier experience. This cinema seems to glorify its mixed cultural roots and, like Tangier, serves as a crossroad of cultures, showcasing films in French and Arabic. Librairie Des Colonnes An Aladdin’s Cave of treasures and curiosities for every bibliophile, the Librairie des Colonnes has been a Tangier institution since 1949. It was once a favorite stomping ground of some of the 20th century’s greatest writers: Samuel Beckett, Truman Capote, Jean Genet and Tennessee Williams among them. The exterior of the building is charming and old-fashioned, while the inside is lined with shelves upon shelves of books, few of them in English and all of them entirely fascinating. Caves of Hercules Memorial This is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Morocco, it is believed that Hercules slept here before his eleventh labour. Kasbah Museum Museum This museum was originally the Sultan’s palace – now it is one of the only palaces to have ever been opened to the public in Morocco. The Tomb of Ibn Battouta Building Visit the tomb of Ibn Batouta, a Moroccan intellectual who traveled the medieval world from 1325 to 1332. Phare Cap Spartel This is an Arabic-style lighthouse in the northwest of Tangier. Museum of Contemporary Art This museum, housed in the old building of the British Consulate right next to Church of St. Andrew, features contemporary artworks and