Rabat- Minister of Communications and Spokesperson of the Government Mustapha El Khalfi said banning Nabil Ayouch's film “Much Loved (Zine li Fik)” from screening in Morocco was a "sovereign decision".

Speaking to news website Al Yaoum24, the Islamist Minister said the ban decision of Nabil Ayouch's film about prostitution in Marrakech has been taken because "the film undermines the moral values, and dignity of Moroccan woman as well as the image of Morocco."

El Khalfi added that a team from the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), the country’s film regulatory body, saw Nabil Ayouch’s film at the Cannes international film festival and therefore it decided not to authorize the release of the film in Morocco.

Reacting to the controversy that has been caused by the film even before it hits movie theaters, the PJD Minister said that he is a good follower of the debate taking place on social media platforms, adding that he was surprised by the overwhelming support for the ban decision.

Clips from the film containing vulgar language have caused a furor among Moroccans who called for the film to be banned.

Nabil Ayouch, the film's director, has also been accused defaming Moroccan women and tarnishing the country's image.

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Rabat - Nabil Ayouch reacted to the ban decision of his film "Much Loved" which depicts the daily lives of four prostitutes in Morocco's tourism hub Marrakech.

The French-Moroccan director said on Tuesday he was shocked after the government announced it is banning the film from screening in Morocco.

"I am shocked and surprised by this ban," Nabil Ayouch told AFP. "I don't understand that my film can be banned when we haven't applied yet for a permit for it to be shown."

"Much Loved" is a social drama that portrays the daily life of four marginalized women prostitutes in the city of Marrakech, Randa, Nouha, Soukaina and Hlima.

Clips of the film posted to YouTube over the past few days have caused a furor among social media users and local civic associations who called on authorities to ban the film.

The government bowed to public pressure and announced on Monday that "Much Loved" would not be screened in Moroccan movie theaters.

A statement from the Ministry of Communications said the "film undermines moral values, and dignity of Moroccan women, and a flagrant attack on the kingdom's image."

The director of "Horses of God" denounced the ban decision.

"The freedom of expression of all Moroccan artists is under threat by this act of censorship by anticipation," Ayouch said.

"Prostitution is all around us, and instead of refusing to see it we should try to understand how women who have had difficult lives end up this way," he added.

The Ministry of Communications said in the statement that the decision to ban the film had been taken after a team from the Moroccan Cinematographic Center (CCM), the country’s film regulatory body, saw it at an international festival, referring to Cannes Festival.

CCM Director Sarim Fassi-Fihri told Huffpost Morocco website that the country is still very conservative, and that the film's "crude language would not have been passed at the level of the commission".

"At best, scenes would have been cut. At worst, it would have been refused" release, he added.

In an interview with American magazine “Variety”, Ayouch said that before making the movie he spoke to between 200 and 300 young women who were, or had been, prostitutes about their personal backgrounds and what led them onto prostitution.

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Rabat - Moroccan state owned TV channel 2M has struggled to find an alternative to Hassan El Fad’s famous comedy sitcom, "The Couple," therefore must rely primarily on old productions to attract the audience during the holy month.

To meet the needs of a growing audience during Ramadan, 2M TV will present many series and comedy sitcoms including “Nayda fi douar” and the second season of the sitcom “Kenza fi Douar," which was watched by over 10 million viewers during Ramadan 2014.

"The Couple" will be shown every day during the holy month of Ramadan just before breaking the fast, a period called the Iftar.

Dounia Boutazout, the actress that gained fame after her successful performance in “the Couple,” will star in another series "F Salone" (in the living room), which will be broadcasted in three-minute episodes every day at 20.15.

Abdellah Didane, who appeared in the controversial film “Much Loved,” will be among the main characters of this sitcom.

Another new series to be broadcasted in four-minute episodes is entitled "Nejma w Qamar" and will feature the story of two young unemployed girls whose life is turned upside down after being hired as street vendors in the streets of Casablanca.

The comedy series of "Al khawasser" is also programmed for broadcast, even though shooting for the show has just begun. The sitcom will be composed of 30 four-minute long episodes aired every day at 21h.

After a long absence due to a period of recovery following a car accident, Hicham Bahloul will return to the screen in the historical series "Hbal Rih," derived from Moroccan history and cultural heritage.

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Fez - Ballake Sissoko and Debashish Bhattacharya stunned the audience on the fourth day of the Fez Festival of Sacred Music, performing beautiful artistic pieces that mesmerized the spectators.

After heavy rain on Sunday, organizers worked hard to make the Batha Museum suitable to host the concert. The entire morning was spent mopping to prepare the venue.

At 4:30, audiences witnessed what might turn out to be one of the best performances of the Festival.

[caption id="attachment_159421" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Ballake Sissoko. Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Ballake Sissoko, a professional Kora player from Mali, opened the concert with a piece of music that calmed the soul, leaving the audience in a trance. They were completely inthralled, transcending the limits of time and space to enjoy the music.

Sissoko yielded the stage to Debashish Bhattacharya, an artist deeply inspired by nature and considered the master of Indian raga with his self-designed steel guitar and table beats. His performance transported the audience on a magic carpet thousands of miles to India.

Zineb Alaoui, a 30-year-old teacher, told  Morocco World News that after listening to Debashish, she couldn’t stop dreaming of visiting India.

[caption id="attachment_159422" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Debashish Bhattacharya from India. Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Debashish and Sessoko then joined forces sending the audience voyage on a voyage from Mali to India, in one of the best performances of the Festival so far.

Differences of color, religion, and ethnicity evaporated, leaving a sense of unity and wholeness, especially when the duo played Dance of The Camel in the Desert Rain.

Debashish told Mass Media that he has not rehearsed extensively with Sessoko prior to the concert. They simply went with the flow of the music, driven by their deep passion.

Asked about the sacred music at the Festival, Debashish said, “if we believe we are children of God, sacredness comes to us because we become divine.”

[caption id="attachment_159427" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159425" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Ballake Sissoko and Debashish Bhattacharya. Photo Credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159424" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Ballake Sissoko and Debashish Bhattacharya. Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159426" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo Credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

Edited by Sara Gomez. Photos credit: Omar Chennai

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By Abdellatif Oudra

Ouarzazate - It was a very special friendship bonded us together for years. Even though we didn’t hail from the same lineage, he was a true brother to me. We always exchanged brotherly advice and guidance ever since we met each other. His name was Amin. He was a faithful husband to his wife Wafaa and father to his sweet daughter Amal; we worked together for years and never fell out.

Our overstaffed company went through momentary crisis many times. But years ago we underwent the most difficult to date: nearly the whole staff was unpaid for months. As a family man, unlike me, Amin became increasingly despondent for being in dire need of money.

One morning, I woke up bright and early per usual to ready myself for work, when a coworker called me and said the workers were to be paid that day. I was on top of the world hear that, and couldn’t wait to tell Amin.

I rapped smoothly on the door, and as per normal his pretty little daughter answered.

“Good morning,” she said in soft tone.

“Good morning, Amal. Is daddy home? Tell him there is good news,” I told her, and she went in.

“Hi! Good news?” Amin said eagerly.

“I received a call: they’ll pay us today,” I told him smiling.

The news made him jump up and down, and fanatically hugged his little daughter. His wife Wafaa was surprised by the outburst, but when she discovered why, she was full of joy as well. He said his farewells to his family and we left to work.

“I am in a good heart now. I suffered much the previous months for being penniles. I always had that dream of cheering my family, and now it’s time. When I get paid, I’ll buy Amal and my wife all that they need. We will travel where we want, have good time, and forget the frugal months,” he said in tears.

He was blessed with a family. For me, marriage didn’t take precedence over other wishes, but he made me yearn for it.

“Aren’t you thinking of finding a spouse?” he asked.

I struggled to find an answer, and said, “Well, I don’t think it’s a good idea for the moment. I still have a lot to do. Marriage will come later.”

We were about to cross the road when a car hit Amin. I was stunned and could not react in time. Blood covered almost his entire body and head. I drew close to him when I heard him murmuring.

“Take…care…family,” he muttered, and his soul left his body peacefully. The ambulance did not come in time.

I was beyond miserable, as I had lost the best friend I had ever had. Telling his wife was my responsibility. I knocked at the door and she opened herself.

I often return for breakfast when Amin was busy working. “It’s too early, I haven’t made the breakfast yet. You’ll have to wait,” Wafaa said, and prepared to shut the door.

“It’s not breakfast. It’s Amin. I’m sorry, but I have to say this. A car hit him and he didn’t survive,” I told her in tears. She couldn’t bear the news and passed out.

His sudden death turned our lives upside down. I thought that I wouldn’t live a normal life without him. With the help of her neighbors, Wafaa recovered. I met her at hospital to see him. She couldn’t stand seeing his body. She looked at him in dismay and left, and then burst into tears.

We went back home to that find Amal, Amin’s little daughter, had locked herself inside once her neighbors; told her what happened. Wafaa mournfully opened the door and hugged her daughter, trying to pacify her. She was drenched with tears. Amin’s death took a heavy toll on them, and I was afraid that happiness would never return to their lives.

I was devastated at his funeral. It was difficult to bury my best friend ever, but it’s life. I had to be placid, and I simply said my farewells, with his last words engraved in my mind. “Take care of my family.”

One year later, Wafaa told me that she had to find a job, as she could no longer live on a charity account. It was a duty to take care of them, but I really couldn’t give them any of my pay. It wasn’t even enough to meet my own needs.

I thought marrying her would be a good solution for all of us, so I went to suggest the idea to Wafaa.

“Amin was a true brother to me, and before he died he asked me to take care of both of you, but I can’t, because my salary wouldn’t satisfy all of our needs. That’s why I thought of marrying you,” I said

After a moment of silence, she said, “There is just me to raise this little daughter, and I’m already months behind on rent, but I cannot find a job. I trust your good intentions. I won’t refuse if my daughter says agrees.”

Amal welcomed the decision, as she considered me a father after hers passed away.

And I wonder if you, dear readers, would approve of my decision. I’m not sure if I did what should have been done…

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Rabat- Saad Lamjarred's hit single, entitled "Lmaallem" (the boss), has earned Guinness World Record achievement, amassing 22,854,222 views in a mere three weeks after the video clip was first uploaded to video sharing site YouTube on May 2nd.

Lamjarred's 4 minutes, 14 seconds catchy song has seen a wide stamp of approval in Morocco and throughout the Arab world, generating 158,529 YouTube likes as of this writing.

"Lmaallem" is the second Arabic song that has made its way into the record books after Emirati singer's Hussein Al Jasmi's song Boshret Kheir.

Born in 1985 in Rabat, Lamjarred is the son of well-known singer Bachir Abdou and popular actress Nezha Regragui.

Saad attended the Music Conservatory in the capital Rabat, where he studied music. In 2007, he secured second place on Superstar, a Lebanese TV talent contest.

He became a household name throughout the Arab world following the release of the hit song "Enty", which has amassed 49 million views on YouTube- making it one of the most popular music videos ever released in the Arab world.

His 2013 hit single, "Mal Hbibi Malou", (What's wrong with my lover) has garnered more than 62 million views on YouTube. Saad was also nominated for the Best Middle East Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards.

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By Sara Gomez

Rabat- Several Spanish media outlets have reported widely on the recent controversy in Morocco surrounding the banning of “Much Loved” (Zine li fik), Nabil Ayuch’s latest film, by delivering their unfiltered opinions of the Moroccan public.

Various online media outlets, such as Cadena Ser, El Periodico, El Mundo, and Hoy Cinema, reported the opinions both in support and against of the Ministry of Communication’s decision to ban the film.

The majority of Spanish media outlets directly quoted the Ministry of Communication’s public announcement, saying, “[the] film undermines moral values, and dignity of Moroccan women, and [is] a flagrant attack on the kingdom’s image.”

Following the claim, El Periodico included commentary from the imam of a mosque in Salé who said, “the film incites debauchery among Moroccans and promotes pornography and illegitimate relations: a foreigner kisses a woman and then takes her to the bed, both naked, is that cinema?”

Cadena Ser reported similar commentary from members of the conservative Islamic party. Politicians and military members of the party have been seen in front of the Parliament building chanting, “Ayouch, you coward! Do not insult Moroccan women!” and “No to dirty movies.”

In contrast to the negative feedback that the film’s depiction of four prostitutes in Marrakesh has received from the Moroccan public, some viewers also realize that this movie portrays a very real part of Moroccan culture.

El Periodico also reported that the critic Karim Bujari said, “the problem is not the film, which barely anyone has seen, but the sexual tourism. In Morocco, this form of tourism is not fiction, but reality. Ayuch’s film did not invent it. We know it, we live it, we debate over it and sometimes we even laugh about it, but we refuse to watch it on a TV screen and talk about it with other Moroccans.”

Comments like this show that there are some viewers in the Moroccan public that recognize the reality of the matter—yet admit that they are too scared to face it.

Spanish media also included Ayuch’s own responses to the criticism and banning of his film throughout all outlets. Ayuch says he is “saddened” but not “surprised” by the negative reactions to “Much Loved,” but clarified that the film is in no way pornographic.

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Rabat - American singer, Jennifer Lopez, arrived in Morocco on Wednesday to participate in the opening of the 14th edition of Mawazine Festival, scheduled to be held from May 29th to June 6th in Rabat.

As soon as she arrived in Morocco, the American dive posted a picture on her Instagram account to share the news with her fans and followers.

“And we are here. Hello Morocco,” the caption of the picture reads. Tickets for her anticipated concert on Friday start at MAD1,200.

And we're here!!! Hello Morocco!!

A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on May 27, 2015 at 7:11am PDT

This is not the first time the American singer will perform in Morocco. In December 2011, she was invited to perform at the opening of Morocco Mall, the largest shopping in Africa.

In addition to Jennifer Lopez, the 14th edition of Mawazine Festival will see the participation of a number of internationally acclaimed stars, such as Akon, Usher, American Pop Rock band Maroon 5, Pharrel Williams English Alternative rock band Placebo and AVICII.

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Fez - During a press conference on Tuesday in the Barceló Hotel in Fez, Sonia Mbarek, director of International Festival of Carthage and a young artist of classical Arab Music, spoke about her “Wajd” project and expressed her views about the Arab Spring and the tendencies that dominate it.

Prior to her performance in Sidi Mohamed Ben Youssef Cultural Complex, Sonia Mbarek entertained the journalists at the press conference with her eloquence and refined vocabulary in both French and Arabic.

[caption id="attachment_159554" align="aligncenter" width="1536"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

The artist seemed to be modest, yet self-confident and willing to answer all questions gracefully and accurately as a result of 30 years of experience in the domain of art devoted to Arab Andalucían Sufi Music. She said that she has strong principles concerning music and uses them to initiate dialogue and communicate with peoples.

Sonia expressed her desire to participate in work that joins Arab artists mainly from Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. She also suggested the idea of creating a great network of artists in the region that would make collaboration easy between them. She said that this could happen with the will of artists and a strong sponsor.

[caption id="attachment_159553" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Photo credit: Omar Chennafi[/caption]

When asked to speak about herself, Mbarek said that apart from being an artist, she is an academic researcher and a professor of human rights and copyright. She confesses that at times she swims against the current by sticking to her principles concerning her type of music.

Concerning the Arab Spring, Sonia called for a Cultural Revolution and education for children to better understand each other without harming their identity as Arabs and Muslims.

Sonia says that success does not simply come easily because artists are always asked for novelty and ingenuity, and must educate young artists to trust themselves, be honest with the fans, and work hard.

She also considered the use of the Moroccan dialect in songs as something positive because it may reveal the true feeling of the song, be it happiness or sorrow, and promote communication between peoples.

Photos Credit: Omar Chennafi

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Rabat - A weekend trip to Fez, home to the world’s oldest university and the infamous leather tanneries, is sure to leave visitors with sore muscles, an array of colorful Moroccan souvenirs, and enough stories to tell for the next year.

Although the historical university is a must-see for all and the tanneries are a truly unique adventure for those willing to take it, one of Fez’s most overlooked—and incredible—attractions is found deep in the shops of the medina and is easy to miss if you don’t talk to the right people and climb the right set of steep stairs.

But if you’re lucky enough to get in with the locals, you may find yourself in a magical place: a Berber rug factory.

After a warm welcome from Ahmed, one of the shop workers, better known as “family members” amongst each other, visitors will head upstairs toward the main attraction: the huge rooms filled to the brim with handmade and dyed blankets, rugs, large carpets, pillow cases, purses, and almost anything else the immensely talented Berber men and women can stitch, dye, and weave together.

On the way up is the actual rug factory, where usually one or a few workers spend hours crafting their art. Under a dimly lit lantern and with extreme precision, they use the weaving table and tool to create the intricate designs of a Berber product.

In a small room next to the factory is the wheel, the tool used to spin wool into yarn. Here, the wool is also dyed different colors with natural dyes and left in spools to be woven into rugs. All colors, patterns, and sizes imaginable (and unimaginable) are possible for these artists. The factory itself is decorated with the many colors and textures of the complex rugs. Not only do the Berber workers create art every day, but they live in it as well.

There is a distinctive difference between the rugs made by the Berber women and the Berber men. Ahmed pointed out that the rugs made by the women are more intricate, colorful, and often take much longer to make than those crafted by men. Chuckling, one of the workers looks at us and says, “That’s because men are not as patient as women!”

The rugs are made out of sheep wool or silk, and the prices vary from MAD 200 to MAD 1000 and up. ($20USD-$100USD+). Apart from different designs and textures, the Berber rugs are also adorned with traditional Berber symbols, some symbolizing the different tribes and others representing more universal symbols, such as love, health, and family. The four zigzag lines on the rug below symbolize long life.

Choosing just one is almost impossible with the never ending list of beautiful options, but with the help and patience of Ahmed and the other workers, visitors will find a Berber creation for every taste and price range.

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Rabat- Film director Nabil Ayouch called on Moroccan authorities to provide protection to the cast of "Much Loved", his latest film, following death threats leveled against them.

Speaking to Hit Radio's Le Morning de MOMO host Mohamed Bousfiha, the Franco-Moroccan director has urged Moroccans not to jump to conclusions even before watching the film, adding that those who refuse to watch it have every right to do so.

The "Horses of God" director said authorities took the decision to ban his film from screening in Morocco without even having seen it.

The maker of the controversial movie - which tells the story of four women prostitutes in the city of Marrakech – said he was “surprised” by the uproar created by his film, saying that leaked clips posted on YouTube “do not reflect” the story the film is based on.

Ayouch denied receiving any funding from state-controlled Cinematographic Center (CCM), the country's film regulatory authority, and said he produced the film on his own.

On Monday, Moroccan authorities announced that "Much Loved would not be screened in Moroccan movie cinemas.

A statement from the Ministry of Communications said the film "undermines moral values, and dignity of Moroccan women, and  [is] a flagrant attack on the kingdom's image."

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Fez - The tanneries of Fez provide a tourist experience unlike any other.

In the heart of the medina in the Old City, lies an ancient leather tanning facility. There, hundreds of laborers who have been in the business for generations process the hides of cows, sheep, camels, and goats and manufacture them into shoes, bags, coats, and other products to be sold locally as well as imported.

Though it is a popular tourist site, the tanneries are not for those with weak stomaches. Due to the contents of the stone pools where the leather is processed, the tanneries have a very distinct, sour, hard to swallow smell about them (especially to those who aren't accustomed to e odors). Despite this, there are usually a number of tourists visiting and observing.

[caption id="attachment_159620" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

The leathers are first soaked in a mixture of cow urine, salt, and quicklime. This acidic combination allows the hides to be processed fully by breaking down their tough texture a getting rid of excess hair and fat.

After they are dried, the leathers are processed again in a mixture of pigeon feces and water. The workers use their bare hands and feet, standing in the pools, to step on and soften the leather for a few hours.

Then, they are dyed in all-natural dye mixtures made from plants in yet another pool. For example, yellow is made from saffron and blue is made from the indigo plant. Finally, they are laid out to dry in the sun and then made into products.

[caption id="attachment_159621" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

Most visitors perch themselves up on a viewing deck, located in the various leather shops surrounding the tanneries, where the processes can be seen from above. However, some are lucky enough to have a tour guide willing to take them directly though the tanneries, in close proximity with the pools, workers, and animal remnants. This is a messy process; the ground is slippery and uneven and in order to get around the pools, a lot of climbing and navigating is required and visitors must be careful not to slip or even fall into a pool processing leather.

[caption id="attachment_159622" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

A frequent practice used by tour guides is to provide mint leaves to help mask the smell of the pools. However, workers and locals do not do this as they are apparently very used to the odors from working there for years.

The tanneries are definitely a unique experience, especially to those who have not witnessed leather production at such a close and personal level. It is a must-see for those looking to experience the entirety of Morocco.

[caption id="attachment_159623" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159624" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159625" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159626" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_159627" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Photo credit: Jack Stanovsek[/caption]

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Fez - Thursday morning dawned to a magnificent piano recital by Moroccan classical pianist Marouane Benabdallah at the Batha Museum in which he returned to his Arabic roots.

Benabdallah was born in Morocco and left at the age of 13 to pursue continuing musical studies in Hungary at the Bela Bartok Academy and at the Franz Liszt Academy in Budapest. While the recital included several works by these well known classical western composers, the highlight of the concert was the compilation of works of relatively unknown composers from the Middle East, including Morocco, Egypt, and Lebanon, that are the culmination of a special project Benabdallah has embarked upon.

Benabdallah’s project, entitled “Arabesque,” is the fruit of research into works of classical composers of the Arab world. Although the works were clearly compositions in the traditional western classical music genre, each was laced with echoes of its composer’s Middle Eastern origins.

Maria Magdalena, which he said was composed three years ago, opened with lullaby sweetness reminiscent of Debussy or Satie, with some minor sonority lending a darkness and richness. Inspired by Chopin, he said afterwards, the piece ended with three dissident plinks to the mysterious – and timely -- hoot of a nearby owl.

Benaddallah also played a lively piece by Bartok, his fingers flying over the keyboard on the second and third movements, the latter reminiscent of Flight of the Bumble Bee with some Hungarian dances overlaying the busy line.

The last two pieces were by a Lebanese composer. Benadallah began the first, a lively dance-like piece, with the birds in the trees above in the open air venue seemingly singing and whistling along with the music, as he plucked the piano strings with his left hand inside the piano, in dissonant chords, building to a crescendo.

In the last piece, a low register, lively rhythmical underlay began the piece, again bringing to mind the Hungarian dances of Brahms. Then followed what sounded like a taqsim played by the right hand in the upper register in an Arabic maqam that would have been perfect on a ney; and then back to the dance.

While the performance was worthy of a standing ovation, only this writer stood up to give one, although the applause continued long enough for two or three bows.

Benabdallah returned to the stage for a beautiful encore -- "something totally different," as he put it, which turned out to be a slow and sweet piece by Franz Liszt.

Benabdallah then took his final bow to appreciative audience applause, tall and distinguished in a beautiful Moroccan, hand embroidered, long jacket (designed by himself, he told Morocco World News) –- the perfect substitute for tails on this sunny, hot and humid morning in Fes.

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Rabat- The 14th edition of the Mawazine Festival kicked off on Friday night in Morocco's capital Rabat with the much anticipated performance of American singer Jennifer Lopez.

The performance, which was broadcast live on Moroccan channel 2M stirred controversy on social media. Jennifer and her dancers appeared on underpants on stage.

Thousands of Moroccans expressed their displeasure at the scantily way in which Jennifer Lopez and her dance crew were dressed throughout the show.

The American's dress was reminiscent of the way British singer Jessy J was dressed during her performance at the 12 edition of the festival in 2013.

Comments of denunciation ranged from blaming the TV channel for broadcasting such a show live on public television to denouncing the "hypocrisy" of the government for not speaking up against the organization of such events in the country.

Others pointed out the  of the government's "double standard" since it allowed such a show to be organized and broadcast on a public television live while at the same time banning Nabil Ayouch's movie on prostitution in Morocco from screening the country.

"The government banned a movie from screening in Moroccan movie theaters under the pretext that it contains obscene language, but at the same it allowed what is worse, a singer performing almost naked in front of millions of viewers" one Facebook user said.

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Rabat - In front of a hysterical public who flocked to the OLM Souissi for the opening of the 14th edition of the Mawazine Festival, the American singer Jennifer Lopez mesmerized her fans with a performance deemed “too sexy for the Moroccan community.”

The "Booty" singer, 45, performed at the opening ceremony of the 14th edition of the Mawazine Festival with her dancers appeared on underpants on stage.

The performance of the American singer, which was broadcasted live on public television, was attended by tens of thousands of Moroccans, who come from different regions of the country to attend her show.

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Fez - Badr Rami, a Moroccan-Syrian musical artist, performed at the Fez Festival for the fifth time and held a press conference to discuss his work afterwards. 

According to his father, Rami has been talented since a very young age. His family was always passionate abut music and art and at just three years old, he was able to play the Derbouka (a Moroccan drum).

While growing up in Casablanca, he performed and participated in celebrations and parties, though he didn’t partake in singing contests. His father is a maestro of a band and his mother is a famous doctor.

After he graduated high school, Rami performed in the Festival of Arab Music and then went on to receive a degree in marketing and administrative management. The musician says he looks up to other artists such as Sabah Fakhri and Oum Kalthoum. He believes Morocco is a fertile land for artists to flourish and he is very passionate and proud of the culture and history of his country.

Despite his upbringing and fan base, he also has an audience outside of the Arab world. Rami has performed in places such at the Lillie Opera House in France as well as the United States.

Rami plans to release a new album by the end of this year.

Photo credit: Zoubir Ali

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Rabat- Social media users in Morocco are calling for the resignation of Minister of Communication Mustapha El Khalfi following the broadcasting of Jennifer Lopez's Mawazine concert on state-owned TV channel 2M.

The performance of Jennifer Lopez created uproar on social media in Morocco, mainly for the scantily way in which the American diva and her backup dancers dressed throughout the show.

Social media users are now using the Hashtag #?Khalfi degage (Khalfi get out) to call for Mustapha El Khalfi's immediate resignation.

Khaled Rehmouni, a member of the PJD executive committee also called on El Khalfi to resign, saying that those responsible for using public television to broadcast such 'farces' should be held accountable.

"Moroccans cannot finance media that destroy their values," he wrote on Facebook.

Adil Ben Hamza, the spokesperson of the Istiqlal party, one of the major opposition parties criticized the lack of reaction from the Minister of communication following the broadcast of Jennifer Lopez on 2M.

“Lopez Invades Moroccans houses in the absence of any sovereign decision.” Ben Hamza’s comment was a tacit reference to Minister El Kahlfi’s statement earlier this when he said that banning Nabil Ayouch film “Much Loved” was a “sovereign decision.”

The American diva performed on Friday, May 29th at the opening of the Mawazine Festival in Morocco's capital Rabat.

Her concert is facing protests from social media users in Morocco who complained about the sexualized content of the show.

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Rabat- Jennifer Lopez attracted 160,000 spectators to her concert at the opening of the Mawazine Festival held in Rabat, according to organizers.

The American diva's much-anticipated performance at the OLM Souissi stage on Friday has smashed Mawazine Festival's attendance record, attracting 160,000 fans.

Jennifer Lopez is the artist of all records.

The “RnB Diva” has sold no less than 55 million albums and appeared in over 25 movies. Named most influential personality, in the planet, of the music world by Forbes, J.Lo is now considered as the most famous Latino artist. She received, in 2013, the 2500th star of the Walk of Fame in Hollywood.

This is the second time the American star performs in Morocco. In December 2011, she performed at the opening ceremony of Morocco Mall, the largest shopping mall in Africa.

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Rabat- Pop music celebrity Jennifer Lopez’s concert in the Mawazine Festival on Friday has precipitated sharp criticism from social media users in Morocco who are complaining about the “sex” aspects of her show.

The American singer performed on Friday, May 29th at the opening of the Mawazine Festival in Morocco's capital Rabat. As expected, J-LO left little to the imagination, sang and danced wearing skimpy costumes that exposed her legs and cleavage during her 2-hour long concert which was broadcast on Morocco’s state-owned television channel 2M.  Lopez and her accompanying female dancers, who were also dressed in revealing costumes, changed outfits several times during the show.

Many Moroccans took to social media platforms to denounce the revealing way Jennifer Lopez and her dance crew were dressed. Some of them called the concert a “threat to the moral fabric of the Moroccan society,” while others complained that the American performer was too “sexy” on stage, and criticized the 2M TV channel for broadcasting the show. Some have also called upon the Minister of Communication to resign for allowing the concert to be broadcast on public television funded by taxpayers.

Some commenters suggested that she could have worn a body suit or tights to cover up and still dance since she was playing in a Muslim country.

Others, however, said that Moroccans should have seen it coming since Jennifer Lopez is known for her “sex appeal.”

Others said that even by America standards she shows “too much skin,” and there is “nothing new here.”

Others criticized the Festival organizers for not having asked the artist to make her show more appropriate for the audience by toning down her sexy outfits and dance moves, as she did recently in Indonesia.

During one of her concerts in Indonesia, the world's most populous country, Jennifer Lopez was asked by organizers to dress modestly and to cover up.

Many others denounced the "hypocrisy" of their fellow Moroccans criticizing Nabil Ayouch's film about prostitution for its obscene language, while at the same time they are the first to attend J-LO's "sexy" live show in Rabat.

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Rabat- An actor who plays the role of a Saudi in Nabil Ayouch’s controversial film “Much Loved” or  "Zin li fik" was reportedly attacked by a stranger in his neighborhood in Casablanca.

Speaking to ChoufTV, the actor claimed that he was subject to an aggressive attack for his role in the film “Much Loved”.

He claimed that he was walking home after giving an interview to a radio station when a stranger stopped him and accused him of "tarnishing the image of Morocco."

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The stranger approached the actor, asking him if he was "the person who had passed on the radio," and the actor said, “yes of course.” The aggressor immediately attacked him with a knife. The young artist was able to protect his face but could not avoid a wound on the neck.

Loubna Abidar, the heroine of Nabil Ayouch’s controversial film, has reportedly received death threats via telephone.

After a growing public outcry denounced the sexually explicit scenes in the film, the Moroccan government decided to ban 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.”

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