By Najoua Bijjir

Rotterdam - “As a young boy I was even looking for Aziz Aflak in his hotel… And now I am his spokesperson. That was unthinkable.”

Who doesn’t recognize them from the late 80’s? The music group Aflak. They were young, cool and immensely popular. Besides that, Aflak also created a new musical sound that involved the support of real ‘computers.’

Curious about what happened to Aflak since their big success in the 80’s, Morocco World News met with lead singer Aziz Aflak and his spokesperson Mohamed Moufid Sbaï.

Who is Aflak and how did it all begin?

“I was 6 years old when I first started playing the piano and the oud, an oriental lute,” says Aziz Aflak. “Later I went to the conservatorium in Meknes, where I learned more about creating music. In the early 80’s we moved back to France. My father was a Frenchman and my mother a native Moroccan. Both cultures have always been very important to me. After moving back to France I started composing music that represented the Moroccan culture as well as the European culture. My parents and my family encouraged me a lot to pursue my musical ambition. That motivated me to complete my first song, Marrakesh, in 1986 and to release my first album, Taala Ngoulik, in 1988.”

What was the formula of Aflak’s success?

“There wasn’t any specific formula, I was just lucky that the timing was right to introduce something new, namely: music assisted by computers. It sounded Western, but was traditional Moroccan music at the same time. And they loved it! For example, I received great support from Moroccan television. My concerts were even broadcasted during halftime of the soccer championship. Many watchers discovered my music in that way. Later, with the advent of satellite television, I reached a much larger audience.”

Aziz, what did you change with your music?

“At first I didn’t intend to change Moroccan music. I was young and ambitious, and all I wanted was to compose, produce and sing. When I started making music, I was a big fan of composers such as Jean Michel Jarre and the German music band Depeche Mode. They all created musical sounds supported by computers. And that was exactly what I wanted, only with traditional Moroccan rhythms and lyrics.

Nowadays working with computers is unthinkable. It has become so easy to produce music that you can do it at home.”

What can you tell us about the Moroccan music industry?

“The Moroccan music industry is flourishing, and we owe this to the support of the Royal Family and the effort that music producer RedOne makes to promote and inspire young artists.

We have also noticed that the numbers of festivals is increasing each year. For example, Mawazine Festival features the most international line up of artists. Therefore the Moroccan music industry and festivals are nowadays very attractive for popular artists abroad,” says Moufid.

[caption id="attachment_158918" align="aligncenter" width="607"] Young Aziz Aflak and his spokesperson Mohamed Moufid[/caption]

The group Aflak has changed a lot since 1980, what can you tell us about the transformation of Aflak?

“Yes, a lot has changed!” says Aziz. “In the beginning I started performing with my three brothers. Later in 1991, two other musicians joined us. We also started mixing different music instruments into our music, such as keyboards and electronic oud, guitars and drums with traditional Moroccan instruments.

In 2008 my brothers left the band and I continued with producing and performing music together with the symphonic orchestra. In 2014, Aflak produced and toured with a rock formation. For more information, visit our website www.aflak.com.”

What is the future plan for Aflak, any new upcoming music?

“At this point I am finalizing my new music album, after the release of the song Leila. I’m also working on a compilation of all my songs over the past 27 years,” says Aziz.

“We also want to bring back the music that had a great influence on Moroccan music as we know it today and did merge Western music with traditional Moroccan music. Artists like Aziz were role models and they deserve more recognition. Aflak was so popular at that time. I remember when I was young I searched for Aziz Aflak in his hotel when he stayed there during a concert in Rabat. And now I’m his spokesperson… That is unthinkable,” adds Mohamed Moufid Sbaï.

“Mohamed is more then my spokesperson. We share the same passion for music, work loyalty and trust. And over the years we became very close friends. Mohamed is like my brother.”

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Karama-Gaza Human Rights Film Festival (Red Carpet) is a festival for short and long narrative and documentary films held in Gaza Strip on May 12-14 .

It is the first festival that highlights human rights issues, mainly in Palestine and generally all over the world.

The opening of the first day of the three-day festival’s activities held next to the debris of the destroyed homes in Sheja’eya neighborhood (Al Tawiq ) in eastern Gaza. The festival is a part of a joint event held in with Karama Festival for Human Rights Films held in Amman in the same time.

Holding the festival in the Gaza Strip, which lives under siege and destruction for so many years, shows the other cultural and humanitarian face of Gaza, and creates a state of communication with the world through the window of cinema.

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Rabat - French-Moroccan director Nabil Ayouch has rallied to the defense of his newest film "Much Loved (Zine Li Fik)" which has suffered divided reviews.

The film, which is yet to be released in cinemas, is already the subject of some controversy in Morocco after several clips of the film were posted to YouTube. Over the last few days, some have criticized the film - which tells the story of four prostitutes in Marrakech - mainly for its crudeness and excessive use of vulgar language.

Now, director Nabil Ayouch is responding to his critics. Speaking to news website Hespress, Ayouch has urged Moroccans to refrain from judging his film based on clips made available on social media platforms. "I have many reasons that led me into talking about prostitution. Why do we choose to hide and state that it does not exist in Morocco? My role as a director is to ask questions and to contribute to the creation of a debate that could result in solutions to the phenomenon."

"I did not want to lie to people and give them something that does not resemble to their reality," Ayouch said. "My responsibility as a director is to cinematically show the negative and positive phenomena that exist in my society. I do not aim to link this phenomenon to Morocco, is does exist everywhere, the film carries a message beyond the limits of the country."

Ayouch added: "There are many ways to love your country, it is not necessary to describe your country as the most beautiful country in order to express this love, those who criticize some phenomena [in the country] can love it better than those who complement it all the time. A film about prostitution should not offend the country, if so, the same would have happened with crime and gang movies in America."

When asked if he thought about the film in terms of economic success rather than artistic accomplishment, Ayouch said: "The Moroccan people know very well the goals for which they go to the cinema; therefore, they will not go to the cinema only once they heard the film contains controversial scenes."

Photo courtesy: Much Loved - Zin li fik - de Nabil Ayouch/ Official Facebook Page

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By Zineb El Mechrafi

Rabat - What do you think these myths are? Tea and coffee lovers? Gossipers in the cafes? Crazy drivers?

Throughout the world, non-Moroccans have formed opinions about Moroccans —some are misguided viewpoints and others are somewhat more accurate. Have you ever wondered what the world thinks about Moroccans? Here are the top 10 m about Moroccans:

1. Moroccans are nomads roaming the desert on camels

FICTION. To a certain extent, a journey to the south of Morocco will take you to panoramic views of the sand dunes in the well-known Sahara desert. Yet, that only pertains to the southern regions like Zagora and Merzouga, where you can camel trek over the dunes and witness nature’s wonders and the locals’ way of life. It is indeed an experience that is well worth the effort and attracts people from all over the world.

2. Moroccans live in a desert oasis surrounded by palm trees

FICTION. Again, the southern part of the nation is what drives foreigners to paint Morocco with a single brush and think it is just a sandy exotic country with no industrial foundation. Though part of this stereotype is legitimate, one must realize that industrial cities like Casablanca, which is the largest city in the Maghreb and is also one of the largest and most economically and demographically important cities in Africa.. Indeed, leading Moroccan companies and international corporations have their headquarters and facilities in Morocco.

3. Moroccans are polygamists

FICTION. Religion plays an important role in this stereotype. Owing to recent legal restrictions imposed by the government of Morocco and western influences, polygamous marriage is practically nonexistent nowadays. According to various reports from visitors, Morocco is actually said to be one of the least accepting of polygamy in the Muslim world.

4. All Moroccan Women Wear the Hijab

Due to the fact that it is on of the most liberal/westernized country in the Arab world, dressing modestly is the norm in almost all parts of the country to avoid attracting attention. In big cities, seeing someone wearing the hijab is as common as not seeing it. Although in rural areas it is more common. In general, whether you are wearing the hijab or not, you are you have the legal freedom to make that choice. Part of wearing the hijab is fitting into the mold of traditional customs and as a sign of respect and faith. Moroccans coexist peacefully even if they don’t share the same perspective surrounding the hijab.

5. Moroccans always wear traditional clothes

FICTION. Morocco is a country well known for its flamboyant outfits and its fascinating heritage. It is rich in traditions, culture, history, and religion. These factors affect the way Moroccans dress, but only to a certain extent. For example, many sophisticated or foreign-educated Moroccan women have adopted European fashion styles and have opted out of the conservative clothes in urban cities. Of course, during special events, traditional clothes such as the caftan or djellaba are prevalent and are an important aspect of the culture. Although it is a Muslim-majority country, “western” women are not expected to dress like traditional native Moroccan women, as people in the capital and other major towns such as Marrakech are used to foreigners, and are therefore likely to be more liberal and more tolerant of western clothing.

6. Morocco is a patriarchal society

FICTION. There seems to be a common misconception that Morocco is a patriarchal society due to the fact that it is a Muslim-majority country. Recent socio-economic developments and rapidly changing lifestyles have shaken the foundations of a traditionally patriarchic society and led to a rise in matriarchal power. Gender gaps have severely decreased and gender roles have been redefined. Women’s financial autonomy has rearranged the Moroccan social scene due to the fact that women are now as independent and have as many rights as men, stripping men of their historical superiority. It is true that there are many things that this society needs to work on in terms of completely eliminating male dominance, but these immense changes taking place in Moroccan society recently are a big step toward achieving the goal.

7. Moroccans Can’t Speak Arabic

Moroccan Arabic (Darija) is based off of classical Arabic but was altered due to French, Spanish and English influences. Though it is somewhat different from other dialects, most Moroccans understand and speak conventional Arabic as it is widely taught in public schools.

8. Morocco is an unsafe Arab country

FICTION. The Arab world is often labeled as violent and unsafe without acknowledging that there are regions that are far from conflicts and war. To this day, Morocco retains a stable political environment and is varied geographically, from the tourist-friendly resorts on the Atlantic coast to the exotic medinas in the interior cities. The recent peaceful protests in Rabat and Casablanca that was part of the Arab Spring did not inhibit or deter the safety of the nation as a whole.

9. Morocco is a poor country

FICTION. Morocco is defined as a developing country that has capitalized on low-cost labor to build a diverse, profitable market. Recent years showed impressive economic growth despite of the European economic slowdown in 2012. The new infrastructure improvements are most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier which are improving Morocco's global competitiveness. Although still engaged in the process of decreasing the rural poverty rate, Morocco remains the top destination for foreign investors in the Maghreb region.

10. Moroccans are racists

FICTION. Morocco is a melting pot of ethnic groups that include Berbers, Sub-Saharan Africans, Europeans, and many others. There is a lot of diversity and tourism in the kingdom, and hospitality plays a major role in the culture. It is an essential element to our culture to be warm and welcoming to foreigners. For example, a commonly held belief is that a stranger would be fed and taken care of with the rationale that that same person offering the hospitality may have the same needs one day. It is said that one of the best ways to dive into the Moroccan culture is to strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you at a local cafe. A simple conversation could lead to a lifelong friendship after you leave Morocco.

Nonetheless, just like any other nation in the world, racism is still an issue that needs to be dealt with, especially regarding immigrants seeking jobs and opportunities.

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Rabat - The 21st edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music celebrates Africa.

The theme for this year’s edition of the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music is Fes in the Mirror of Africa. This 2015 edition will showcase concerts and forums that will evoke the travels of Hassan al Wazzan, also known as Leo Africanus, an Andalusian Berber diplomat and North African explorer. The forums will also involve round table discussions about Sidi Ahmed Tijani, the founder of Tariqa Tijaniyya, a branch of Sufism. A variety of intellectuals and philosophers will take part in the symposiums. According to the Fes Festival official web site, the discourse will revolve around Fes and Africa, centered around the following themes:

Spiritual paths, commercial paths (May 23)

Linguistic pluralism in Africa (May 24)

Africa and the sacred (May 25)

Hassan Al Wazzan (Leo the African) (May 26)

The major contemporary issues are education, health, and geostrategy. (May 27)

The festival will take place from May 22 - 30 and will include artists from Morocco and other parts of Africa as well as Asia, Europe, and North America. Among the participants are l’Ensemble Lamkartass de Tissa, Saber Rebai, Julie Fowlis, Les Masques de La Lune, The Temptations With Dennis Edwards, and Hussain Al Jasmi. The complete schedule can be found online at: http://fesfestival.com/schedule/

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music plays an important role in bringing different cultures together. Since its creation in 1994, the festival has been a focal point for gathering and exchanging cultures in peaceful environment. The festival is also known as the most important cultural manifestation in Fes, which has in the past been the intellectual and spiritual capital of Morocco.

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Rabat - Transportation Minister Aziz Rabbah does not appear to be happy with the "clothing habits" of some of the artists invited to take part in Morocco's flagship festival, Mawazine. 

Speaking at a forum on Tuesday, the PJD Minister criticized the clothing of some artists who will perform at the Mawazine Festival, saying their dress does not respect "Moroccan values.”

"Morocco is an open country (…), but there are values. And because of this, artists cannot come and get undressed before our eyes," said Rabbah.

The Minister also criticized the dates the festival will take place, between May 29th and June 6th, 2015 in Rabat. He said the festival coincides with the exam periods in several schools and universities.

In 2011, another member of the Islamist PJD Party and current Minister of Solidarity, Women, Family, and Social Development, Bassima Hakkaoui, criticized the participation of Colombian singer Shakira at the Mawazine festival and the event’s cost.

"A waste of money just to watch a pornographic show,” Hakkaoui said.

In 2011 the PJD also pushed for Elton John’s Mawazine concert to be canceled on grounds that "it will promote homosexuality."

In 2014, however, the party, which leads the governmental coalition, did not protest against the participation of Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, who publicly acknowledged his homosexuality in 2010.

The 14th Mawazine Festival will see the participation of Akon, Usher, Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams, Placebo, and AVICII.

In May 2013, English singer Jessie J appeared scantily clad on the stage of the Festival Mawazine. The show, which was broadcast live on Moroccan TV channel 2M, caused an uproar in the country.

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Rabat - Nabil Ayouch's film "Much Loved (Zine li Fik)" about prostitution in Morocco's tourism hub Marrakech has divided the internet into two camps even before it hits movie theaters.

The debate over the film rages on between those who praise the film based on what they claim is an "accurate portrayal of prostitutes' life" and those who criticize it because of its nudity scenes and use of shocking and vulgar language.

Some even worry that the film might encourage sex tourism in the country.

"The film will open the door for people coming from abroad whose main goal is to engage in sexual activity with prostitutes in Morocco," said one commentator online.

Facebook user Souli Armani said: "Unfortunately, the film with the media coverage may help uncover this reality and attract more sexual tourism."

"Nabil Ayouch does not care about the image or the reputation of Morocco. All he cares about is the financial returns. [A] Film like that will not change anything from this phenomenon. It will make the situation worse," Sara Salwa Alami said.

Other social media users criticized the obscene language used in the film, adding that one can't use the excuse of representing reality to represent the phenomenon of prostitution in such manner, and that film just "shows advanced ways" to promote pornography.

"The same movie can be done in a more conservative way, since it's a movie for Moroccans, if I'm not wrong! You don't have to show everything for us to understand or for the language to be so low so we can understand the situation, I watched one clip and I couldn't keep the sound on as almost all the clip was bad words," Salma Ben said.

"I'm a grown-up but still if minors watch it, and trust me they will, what will they learn! And don't tell me he represents reality. Morocco's reality is not summarized in prostitution," she added.

"What disgusts me is that such movies don't fix our community problems as westerns do, instead it's just trying to develop and shows advanced ways to do pornography," another Facebook user Elhkam Redouan commented.

Others, however, argue people are making a fuss out of nothing, and claim that all what the film director is representing the reality."

"I don't understand why we don't accept the truth," Facebook user Naoual Ksiyer said. "I understand reputation and image but it's not like it is a secret […]. He is simply bringing it to the light so maybe change could take place."

"Good Luck, Nabil Ayouch, and bravo for not burying your head in the sand. Wish you all the best, as you face new challenges in the future," Batoul Daoudi Mootassem said.

Nezha Mastouri, another Facebook user, said: "Before judging the movie, look at our Morocco. Judge the economies, our politicians, our education system... The movie is just a mirror, reflecting one problem in Morocco. There are many problems that need brave people to point their finger at.

Nabil Ayouch’s film “Much Loved” was picked to feature in the lineup of the Director’s Fortnight at Cannes Film Festival (AKA la Quinzaine des Réalisateurs).

The director said he interviewed more than 100 prostitutes in Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier, for the making of this film.

Photo courtesy: Much Loved – Zin li fik – de Nabil Ayouch/ Official Facebook Page

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Fez - The spiritual capital of Morocco will once again open its doors to an assortment of live performers and musicians for the 21^st Annual Fes Festival of World Sacred Music.

The Medieval city will lend itself as a grandstand to an assortment of performances and concerts set to kick off this weekend under the theme “Fez: A Reflection of Africa and its Music.”  Visitors heading to Fes for the Festival of World Sacred Music will also have the opportunity to attend a variety of smaller events that coincide with the music festival.

Returning again for her second year of play readings, British author and playwright, Kay D’astorg, will present performances in both English and French accompanied by live Arab music. The author is also a part-time resident of Fes who acquired a riad in 2004 after falling in love with the city during the music festival.

This year, D’asotrg will present Once Upon A Time.....Hassan Al Wazzan/Leo Africanus  a fictional story of a colorful figure of the Renaissance period, who has fascinated western and Muslim scholars and historians for centuries.

“What better way to share my love of the Medina, its architecture and its history than by writing a brief account of the life of this legendary figure and to have it performed by Patty Hannock, accompanied by Youness El Issmaeli, a young Fassi musician, during such a prestigious festival,” D’astorg said.

D’astorg has taken the liberty of transforming the facts to create a fantasized story of an experienced traveller oscillating between two worlds and two cultures, stressing that this is “just a story.”

[caption id="attachment_159048" align="aligncenter" width="640"] actress Patty Hannock during a live performance[/caption]

The performance will be narrated by Anglo French actress, Patty Hannock, who performed in D’astorg’s theatrical production Lady Di Cooper et Monsieur Antoine last year during the Festival of World Sacred Music in Fes. Hannock said she is thrilled to be returning to Fes for her seventh time.

“Fes does that to you, sweeps you into what seems a timeless world where Islam is synonymous with intelligence,” Hannock said.

Hannock added that performing in Fes brings a distinctive ambience to the piece.

“Birdsong, the Muezzins’ calls, and dogs barking in response, at dawn. Soufi music at night. Vendors calling out in the shaded Medina. The refuge of a garden: an enchantment,” she added.

Live Arab music with Renaissance notes will add a touch of the 16^th century and provide a Late Medieval backdrop for the play narration.

[caption id="attachment_159050" align="aligncenter" width="936"] Photo credit: Youness El Issmaeli (Fassi musician playing the oud)[/caption]

The text will be set to ‘sacred’ instrumental Arabic music from the 16th century performed by Youness El Issmaeli and Mohammed El Amrani of The American Language Center (ALC) Music Club.

“Kay’s text has its own musical lilt, the story unfolds like a haunting melody, and the challenge of meeting and improvising with two Fassi musicians - oud and ney - is thrilling,” Hannock said.

The performance will take place in English under the auspices of the ALC Music Club and ALC Book Club at the ALIF Riad on Wednesday May 27 at 6:30pm and will be followed by a debate.

Performances in French will also take place during the Sacred Music Festival at Riad Fès on Sunday May 24 at 6:30pm and Palais Faraj on Monday May 25 at 6:30pm. All performances are free and open to the public and will provide an opportunity for cultural exchange for all those in attendance.

Photo Credits: Patty Hannock

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Rabat- Morocco's city of Ifrane was chosen among the world's cleanest cities, according to website Hassle.com, a London-based online booking and payment platform that connects customers with pre-vetted local cleaners.

Ifranes is the only city from the African continent that has made it to the 28-city list.  "This ski resort does not have any industrial action, which means that citizens can enjoy largely unpolluted air and water day in and day out," said the list.

According to Hassle.com, the list of the world’s cleanest cities is as follows:

In Europe: Birmingham, England, Stockholm, Sweden, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Oslo, Norway, Helsinki, Finland, Copenhagen, Denmark, Zurich Switzerland, Nottingham, England, Bern, Switzerland.

In the United States and Canada: Chicago, Illinois, USA, Toronto, Canada, Calgary, Canada, Austin, Texas, USA, Ottawa, Canada, Portland, Oregon, USA, Vancouver, Canada, Honolulu, Hawaii, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

In Asia: Tokyo, Japan, New Delhi, India, Singapore, Kobe, Japan.

In South America and Africa: Bogota, Colombia, Curitiba, Brazil, Ifrane, Morocco.

In Oceania: Sydney, Australia, Adelaide, Australia, Wellington, New Zealand.

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By Elisabeth Myers and Amjad Hmidach

Fez - Prince Lalla Salma, consort of King Mohammed VI, chaired on Friday the opening ceremony of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music.

Honoring Fes’ history and spirit of tolerance and transcendence, Morocco’s Princess Lalla Salma, wife of King Mohammed VI, opened the 21^st Annual Festival of World Sacred Music yesterday in Fes with a spectacular opening concert, in essence an overture of the festival featuring 100 musicians and dancers from the Middle East and Africa and other parts of the world, giving a taste of the 50 concerts to come during the course of the festival which runs from May 22-30^th to a standing room only audience.

[caption id="attachment_159136" align="aligncenter" width="820"] Photo Credit: Elisabeth Myers[/caption]

After welcome remarks given in Arabic, English, and then French, the concert began with a solo cello at stage left, leading into what sounded like a lullaby on a solo oud at center stage as a little djellaba-clad boy carried a lantern across the dimly lit stage, eventually growing to a full Andalusi orchestra, followed by a series of narrations in French interspersed with a diverse array of musical offerings reflecting the theme of this year’s festival -- “Fez: Through the Mirror of Africa.” This musical, cultural, and spiritual aural migration was accompanied by vivid graphics projected using highly advanced multimedia technologies onto the majestic gate and walls of Bab al Makina, the concert venue, spellbinding the audience.

[caption id="attachment_159142" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Narrators told the life stories of two of Morocco’s most beloved heroes, Hassan Al Wazan and Ahmed Tijani whose journeys have shaped the historic relations between Fes, Andalucía, and Africa. As the characters travelled from one place to another, each region was represented by native artists performing the music and dance of their handed down heritages.

Through the music, the audience transcended time and space travelling from Fes to sub-Saharan Africa, to Andalucia and back again to Fes, the colorful graphics projected on the walls providing the geographical context of the migration. Said Taghmaoui portrayed the character of Hassan al Wazan narrating his migration in a resounding baritone voice leaving the audience in a trance.

[caption id="attachment_159141" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo credit: Omar chennafi[/caption]

The images projected on the walls of Bab Al Makina marked the transitions of Al Wazan from the landscapes of Andalucía, Morocco, and Africa depicting desert sands, rivers, mountains, and waterfalls, as well as traditional blue and green Fassi zellige and architecture, fiery torches, and painted African masks.

The musical offerings included traditional Andalusian music with vocals and oud, a full ten-piece orchestra of balafons (finger picked instruments played vertically and sounding something like a harp), a classical cellist providing atmospheric transitions, drummers and dancers from Senegal, Saharawi women vocalists accompanied by drums.

[caption id="attachment_159147" align="aligncenter" width="640"] traditional Andalusian music with vocals and oud, a full ten-piece orchestra of balafons. Photo by Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Of special note was the performance of Nouhaila Al Kalaa, only fourteen years old and a student at the Fez Music Conservatory. Nouhaila sang a beautiful piece of Malhoun traditional music from Fez, describing Fez and its history, astonishing the audience with her delivery.

[caption id="attachment_159140" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

The Doudou Ndiaye Rose Children performed the thrilling Simb Lion dance from Senegal evoking the adventures of Leo Africanus (the nickname of Al Wazan) in the jungles of Africa. The opening ceremony concert, produced and directed by Alain Weber, was truly spectacular, and if it is any indication of the rest of the festival, audiences will not be disappointed.

Zeinab Elashi, 62, a concert-goer from Vancouver, Canada, told Morocco World News that this is the third year that she has travelled to Fez specifically to attend the festival, this time bringing her daughter and daughter-in-law to experience the extraordinary event. Elashi said that she has been profoundly affected by the simplicity of the Festival, by the people of Fez, and by the not-so-subtle message the festival promotes of religious and cultural tolerance and co-existence.

[caption id="attachment_159143" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Ballake Sissoko et les koras de Bamako. Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159144" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Ker Simb, Lions' Dance. Photo credit Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159145" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Ker Simb, Lions' Dance. Photo credit Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159146" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Doudou N'Diaye Rose et les Tambours Sabars. Photo credit- Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159148" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Bakary Sangare. Photo credit Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159149" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Tamango Dance. Photo Credit- Omar Chennafi[/caption]

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Fez- Attendees of opening night of this year’s music Festival in Fez were blown away by a combination of illuminating graphics, vibrant costumes, and ambient music to tie it all together.

The story of Fes: an African Reflection was told through movement and sound through the interpretation of a group of talented musicians, dancers, and artists.

The Fez Festival of Sacred Music began on 22 May 2015. Opening night was a tribute to the mystical travelers of Africa and their historical links to Morocco.

The performers all had unique elements to bring to the festival. To name a few of the highlights from opening night, Driss al Maloumi brought a taste of Berber music with percussion style instruments while Ballaké Sissoko showed his talent on the kora.

On quite the opposite spectrum, Masks of the Moon performed an intricate and magical ritual from the griot village, wearing white cloth masks. Similarly, Doudou N'Diaye Rose Children performed the Simb Lion Dance.

The costumes tied the performers with their music during this dynamic show. The costumes worn in the lion dance were very symbolic of the lion, with bright colors, face paint, and flowing pieces of fabric. Alternatively, some musicians wore less intricate outfits which added to the simplicity of their performance and allowed viewers to fully absorb it.

The graphics, which projected on the castle wall behind the stage, added an extra element to the performances not often seen on traditional stage settings. Not only did the castle wall become a backdrop to the stories being told, but they moved and became dynamic with the story. Water falling through the castle walls, a castle in the desert, and a mosaic wall filled with water which continued to move are just some of the backdrops of these performances.

The festival runs through 30 May with daily events.

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Rabat - While the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music got off to a good start in its opening concert on Friday, the concert Saturday night of popular Tunisian singer Saber Rabaï at Bab al Makina ran into problems with rain and technical difficulties.

Unanticipated heavy rain during the day and an apparent lack of any rain contingency planning caused technical difficulties with the sound equipment on the uncovered open-air stage, delaying the 9 P.M. start of the concert by nearly two hours, and leaving the seats in the venue too wet to sit on and most of the audience having to stand on their feet for the concert.

Audio difficulties continued to mar the sound quality of the concert throughout the rest of the night, making it difficult to hear the headline singer and his back up vocalists.

In contrast, the accompanying orchestra gave a masterful performance, playing traditional Arabic music, both original and some well-known favorites, as well as the romantic Charles Aznavour-esque style Rabaï is known for.

The orchestra, admirably led by a conductor not named in the program given to the press, outshined the singer, demonstrating the instrumentalists’ technical prowess, most notably on a funky bass guitar, cracking congas and darbouka, and some really luscious lead violin portamentos.

The instrumentalists played the tight rhythms with exacting precision.  While a few in the audience stayed until the very end of the concert (and even danced a little) well after midnight, the damp and the cold and the lack of dry seating drove many away early.

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Fez - Heavy rain and storms today in Fez have forced the organizing committee of the 21st annual Fez Festival of World Sacred Music to postpone tonight’s Spirit of Africa concert scheduled at Bab al Makina.

“The Spirit of Africa concert scheduled tonight at Bab Makina at 21h has been postponed due to weather conditions (rain and thunderstorms),” a press communique obtained by Morocco World News stated.

 “We will inform you tonight of the new date. The Fes Festival would like to welcome you under better weather conditions,” the communique added.

The Fez Festival for the World Sacred Music is usually held during the second part of June. However, because Ramadan begins this year around June 18 or 19, the organizing committee decided to advance the date of the festival to late May. But this year’s festival has coincided with unseasonal heavy rain, not anticipated or planned for by the organizing committee of the Festival.

Tunisian singer Saber Roubai’s concert on Saturday night was delayed for two nearly hours due to technical difficulties caused by the heavy rain that has inundated Morocco’s spiritual capital this weekend. The electrical sound system was impaired and most of the seats in the open-air venue were too wet to sit on forcing many in the audience to stand throughout the concert.

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Taroudant - Muslim themed garden, highlighting the beauty of Islamic cultural heritage, has been awarded a prestigious Silver Gilt Medal at UK’s Chelsea Flower Show 2015, held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London on May19-23.

To clear misconceptions surrounding Islam, the Emirati Kamelia Bin Zaal, designer of Islamic Garden, brings Islamic heritage and beautiful design to the show, which is one of the world's most prestigious flower show.

"I am continuously inspired by our heritage and wanted to creatively translate my interpretation of our peaceful religion and culture into a beautiful garden design,” Bin Zaal told The Daily Telegraph.

Representing Islamic culture in the Flower Show is something of significant importance, and “a truly memorable experience.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won a Silver Gilt medal, and so delighted to be sharing this great honor with everyone who has made this wonderful garden possible," the Emirati designer told Arabian Business.

“I am delighted that I achieved my intention of making The Beauty of Islam a true celebration of heritage, art, design, culture and for all the plants to reflect the diversity of the UAE’s plant life,” Zaal added.

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Fez - Sunday’s concert at Bab al Makina, unfortunately postponed due to unseasonal storms, was to have featured two famous singers on the African continent: Tiken Jah Fakoly from Côte D’Ivoire and Oumou Sangaré from Mali.

With this year’s festival being dedicated to Africa, the two singers will perform this concert to convey the “African Spirit.” The singers gave a press conference on the eve of their performances providing a special insight into their music, philosophy, and vision for Africa.

Tiken Jah Fakoly

Fakoly is an African reggae artist who performs around the world. Unlike the reggae of the Caribean, his band celebrates the roots of reggae in Africa by playing on traditional African instruments.

Fakoly is focused on the unity of Africa. “There are 50 states in the United States, many independent countries in Europe, and 54 countries in Africa,” he says. “We have rich resources in Africa, and unity will come. We are addressing ourselves to the youth of Africa. The real fight is to conquer unity and establish democracy in Africa. Our mission is to strive for democracy.”

He points to the teaching of reggae master Bob Marley. “It was the mission of Bob Marley to give a voice to the people. And I am continuing the fight of Bob Marley. Democracy gives the possibility to people to vote and participate in elections and put someone else in power.”

Asked whether democracy requires economic empowerment first and, if so, how he is helping people become economically empowered, Fakoly says, “I am trying to build schools and increase literacy. I’ve built 5 schools so far in Africa: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Cote d’Ivoire. My big dream is to build a school in each African country to show the importance of education.”

“But for democracy to come, people need the basics first. People need food. So I also have established a rice farm in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. I want to show the importance of agriculture.”

Fakoly is also engaged in an education campaign about Africa. “I am getting the message out about the real Africa for those on the outside who only know it from television,” he says. “Africa has only had 53 years of independence. It’s a mere child of independence, unlike the U.S. which has had a couple of hundred years. We need to stabilize the continent economically, so people don’t want to leave. We have everything here. All of the resources under the sun: Beach, sun, water, etc. The younger generation is in the process of waking up and seeing what we have.”

“I am against the exodus of young Africans,” he continues. “Yes, I understand it’s difficult for the youth here, but they need confidence in the future and to stay here in Africa. Africa is the continent of the future. When the West falls, Africa will be ready to rise,” he predicts. “When the majority of Africans become literate we will rally and take things into our own hands. I am full of hope.”

Fakoly said that he and his band will give a concert of African reggae. “Bob Marley talked about returning to the source. The source is Black Africa. So the music tonight is Reggae played on traditional African instruments. Bass guitar, kora, and n’goni, a Malian instrument.”

When asked how reggae fits into a mystical music festival, Fakoly says, “Reggae is the base of Jah, it is inherently mystical music. It has a strong message speaking of Africa, positive of its history, and of hope. Jamaican reggae needs to come back to its roots in Africa.”

Fakoly’s next album is entitled “Roots.” It will have 12 old songs, including Marley’s “Get Up Stand Up,” demonstrating that the real roots of reggae music are Africa.

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Rabat- The Moroccan government decided on Monday to ban the screening the controversial film "Much Loved" in Moroccan cinema, a communique from the Ministry of Communication.

After a CCM group saw the film in an international film festival, it was decided not to authorize the release of the film in Morocco, "a statement from the Ministry of Communication said.

“The film undermines the moral values, and dignity of Moroccan women, as well as all the image of Morocco," the communique added.

The film, which was produced by Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch, depicts the daily lives of 4 prostitutes. Since a few clips of the films were posted on YouTube last week, it raised eyebrows and stirred a heated debate in the country, prompting a number of activists to call on the Moroccan government to ban it.

The filmmaker has been accused by a number of Moroccans of defaming Moroccan women and failing to come up with the needed solutions to address the phenomenon of prostitution.

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Rabat - Morocco has opted to ban Nabil Ayouch's film on prostitution "Much Loved (Zine li Fik)", bowing to public pressure that has started since clips from the film were posted to YouTube last week.

The film, which depicts the daily lives of four prostitutes in the city of Marrakech, has enraged many in Morocco and has caused a furor among social media users and local civic associations who called on authorities to ban the film.

Many were trying to torpedo the release of the X-rated film in Moroccan movie theaters, saying it belittles women and shows them in a negative light. The Moroccan government has responded to the growing public outcry by banning the film on Monday, May 25th. A statement from the Ministry of Communication said the "film undermines the moral values, and dignity of Moroccan women, as well as all the image of Morocco."

The ban has sparked a heated debate amongst social media users. Some view the ban as a useless move that will not remedy the prostitution problem in the country, while others applauded the decision, arguing that the film, if released, would tarnish Morocco's image and risk diminishing its international standing.

"The government heard the people of Morocco high and clear that they don't want this movie in the country's theaters, now Ayouch get a life and find something to do instead of sticking on an issue that majority of Moroccans reject," Facebook user Abell Sidali said.

"Personally, I am glad to see it banned. Most people who would've seen the movie probably just wanted to see it for the sex and nudity. Let's not kid ourselves, most were not planning to watch it for social enlightenment or to help ignite change or to somehow better the lives of these young women," user Cynthia Cox de Boutinkhar said, commenting on the Facebook official page of Morocco World News.

"And besides, in a Muslim society such as Morocco, this is not the sort of movie that should be released in theaters. I'm sure those who really want to see the movie will find it online. And all the publicity and notoriety will make the makers very rich when it is released elsewhere," she added.

Other social media users have criticized the move, saying the Moroccan authorities are missing the point by not addressing the real issue.

"Instead of actually dealing with the issue and try and come up with solid solutions, the government bans one of the few movies that tells the raw truth as it is, unedited, uncut. "El'khobz El'hafi" is happening all Over again," Facebook user Oussama Melouani said.

Another Facebook user Hanane Ben echoed the same sentiment and said regarding the ban: "They should ban the prostitution and not movies."

"How about Morocco allow the movie and ban prostitution? Wouldn't that make more sense? Are we such hypocrites to act as if this movie is the problem and not the reality on the ground? If anything, this movie is a wakeup call and should be encouraged instead of harshly criticized as it depicts a reality what EVERYONE knows but chooses to turn a blind eye to...," online commentator MrSamgx40 said.

The Ministry of Communication said in a statement that a group from the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), the country's regulatory body, saw Nabil Ayouch's film in an international film festival and therefore it decided not to authorize the release of the film in Morocco.

The ban could cost the film millions in earnings, as filmgoers were expected to crowd theaters when it is released.

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Rabat - Loubna Abidar, the heroin of Nabil Ayouch's controversial film, “ Much Loved (Zine Li Fik)” which chronicles the daily life of four marginalized prostitutes in the city of Marrakech, has reportedly received death threats over a telephone call.

The actress wrote on her Facebook page that she had received an anonymous call to her home phone from an unknown person threatening to kill her.

"Imagine a stranger calling your parents to tell them that their daughter is going to die... It is only the cinema... cinema!” said the distressed actress following the attack. "People who call us on the phone insult my parents. I do not understand how they got ahold of our home phone number. It's a shame," the actress added.

Trying to defend herself on Med Radio, Loubna Abidar said that she was only playing the role of a prostitute, "the image of many prostitutes that exist in Morocco."

"If I would have played the role of a killer, would that have made me a killer?" she questioned.

After the growing public outcry denouncing the explicit scenes in the film, the government responded by banning the film on Monday, May 25^th.

A statement from the Ministry of Communication said, “the film undermines the moral values and dignity of Moroccan women, as well as all the image of Morocco.”

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Fez - Often called the diva of Mali, singer Oumou Sangaré speaking in French talked about the artist’s role in redefining the perception of Africa.

“In Africa we have a tendency to forget the past. We have to remember where we came from. Even the artists. We need to approach our origins through the music. Africa is rich. People think it’s poor, but it’s not so. [The wealth of Africa] is in your head and in your culture, c’est la richesse. On est très riche dans la tête and dans le corps. And when you are rich you can succeed; you can progress and advance things.”

In her 30-year singing career, Sangaré participates in many festivals throughout the world, but she thinks that the Fes World Sacred Music Festival has a special spirit with its diverse artists. “It does a lot for the music and culture of Africa. All black Africa is here in this festival.” Sangaré said she feels at home in Morocco. Noting her recent appearance in the coastal city of Essaouira, Morocco, at the Gnawa festival, she said, “Essaouira is a city of Gnawa whose origins are with us in Mali.”

Her musical inspiration comes from the African woman. “The spirit of woman,” as she put it. She recounted that she was touched by her own hard upbringing filled with suffering, and that has inspired her in her life. “The plight of women drives what I do,” she says. I struggle for the rights of women.”

Sangaré says that the mentality in Africa has changed in the last 20 years, so that it is no longer frowned upon for a woman to work or do something with her life. “African women have enough intelligence to work with and not just rely on our men to support us.”

She has denounced arranged marriage. “My point is to allow the woman to make her choice and her life is her responsibility. Let the girls make their choice. Don’t force them into something that may not work and leaves them abandoned.”

Sitting in her sparkling bejeweled necklace and bracelets, she was asked whether singing for money is legitimate. Sangaré said, “If you only work only for money you lose your soul. I started singing for money to help my family. To change things. To give a message of God. People should use this to do good.”

She continued, “I’ve sung all my life, I’m saying ‘wake up women, let’s get to work.’ I reflected upon the women who came and said to me, ‘you have been lucky but we don’t have money. What can we do?’” She says she bought 10 hectares on the side of a river and started a farm to help the women learn a way to establish their own living. “I invited the women to come and work together. Now I train them in agriculture and provide mentorship.”

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Fez - The Spiritual paths and Trade Routes Forum of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music provided vivid examples of events linking Morocco with other sub-Saharan countries and Andalucía. 

Highly intellectual figures attended the first forum of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, interacting with five academics that created a great ambiance despite the cold and rainy weather,

In the Morning, at the Batha Museum, Ali Ben Makhlouf directed a forum about spiritual paths and trade routes with the participation of Romain Simenel, an anthropologist, Bachir Souleymane Diagne, a professor in the University of Columbia, Mme Jocelyne Dakhlia, a historian, Mme Leili Anvar, a professor in l’INALCO, and the French-Algerian Bariza Khiari, a member of the French Senate.

The speakers were given 20 minutes each for their presentations and an hour and a half to answer any questions that the audience had.

The forum was an opportunity for the invited academics to give examples and clarify their arguments about the strong ties between Africa, Andalucía, and Fez.

They highlighted the complex relationship between the spiritual paths and trade routes and their fundamental roles in strengthening relations between this generation and sub-Saharan African countries.

Professor Souleymane Diagne clarified the role which the zigzag history of philosophy played to further cement relations between nations, especially those in sub Saharan Africa, calling for cancellation of the dichotomy that juxtaposes good Muslims and bad Muslims in order to achieve tolerance.

French senate member Khiari took another perspective in explaining spiritual and business relations between continents by explaining the roles that different Islamic groups played in propagating Islam after the death of the prophet. They left sub Saharan countries to practice their new Islamic philosophies freely, spreading Islam and developing businesses. Khiari also mentioned the effect of petrodollars for spreading Wahabism.

Finally, the Algerian French national alluded to the role of women in commercial and spiritual paths, citing the work of Fatima el Fihriya who founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez after her family emigrated from Tunisia to Morocco.

Khirai lauded the continuous ties that Morocco has with Africa and the role of the king in welcoming sub-Saharan immigrants.

Edited by Sara Gomes. 

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