Safi - The Alliance of Women Writers of Morocco (AWWM), including poets, painters and other creative artists was founded in accordance with the Cherifian Dahir dated April 10,1973, and modified on August 23, 2002.
The AWWM is a modern, constitutional, cultural and intellectual society. It supports women’s awareness of their social and cultural roles and creative skills together with a spirit of sustainability and promotion. It has 12 affiliated branches in Morocco and is extending its activities overseas. Its first meeting was held in Laayoune, the second in Salé and the third will be in Kenitra, this year. More than 100 women writers, poets living in, and outside Morocco attended the meetings and participated with poetry, prose and other arts.
A new branch of the alliance has been founded in Safi on June 22, which includes women writers, poets and painters. It was assessed by main alliance President, Mrs. Aziza Yahdih Omar and another member, Lalla Khadija Mounadi. Both women came from Rabat to give their input to the branch. The aim of the get-together was to support the new alliance, also ensuring that the new branch’s objectives conformed to those of the main alliance. When the visitors left the next day, the members were ready for the new challenge. As writers, poets and painters they were already half-way there. Their adherence to the alliance will propel them to accomplish their aims and ambitions.
The main participants in the new branch of the alliance expressed their views.
Mrs. Chama El-Mouadden the President is aFrench teacher, artist, painter and poet (zajal) with experience in theater. She participated in the Dchira International Festival in Agadir with a wall painting. She is an activist in other cultural associations. According to her “without mutual communication at the local and national levels, as well as hard work, honesty and self-denial, nothing can succeed.”
Mrs. Hayat El-Hallaoui, the Counselor Ex--municipal secretary, social activist, artist, painter, poet and author of Warda’s Story, she was the winner of the Medina prize of Saudi Arabia and has participated in different national and international painting festivals. In Mrs. El-Hallaoui’s opinion, “having an alliance of women doesn’t mean that we should act in a closed feminine circle, we have to cooperate with men and benefit from their partnership in social activities and local events.”
Mrs. Malika Draybine,G.S.Assistant. She is a former Arabic teacher, social activist, and poet. She is President of the Hawd Asfi branch in Zaouiyet Moul- Bergui, and coordinator of the working class corporation in France. Concerning the projects of the alliance, Mrs, Draybine suggests, “starting an artistic and reading salon, painting expositions, meeting great poets, writers and painters, and artistic workshops for youngsters.” The list is ambitious and long.
Mrs. Mehdya Aaytoub,Treasurer.Housewife and experienced as a non-formal education instructor, poet (zajel) and writer of traditional tales. Mrs. Aytoubi thinks that “the central alliance will broaden the horizon of the local branch and boost its activities as our affiliation will also be of additional value to it.”
Mrs. Mithal Ziyadi, General Secretary, is anArabic teacher with masters in Andalusian culture. She is currently preparing her doctorate in Andalusian poetry. She is a social activist, poet and writer of short stories published in different electronic magazines (her blog is: Zmital.blogspot;com ) with experience in theater, and was awarded the best woman role at the Rabat festival of amateur actors. Mrs. Ziyadi’s expectations are “involving youngsters, busying them and giving them the opportunity to express themselves through writing and encouraging them by publishing their work.”
