Royalty in the News » Morocco

Lalla Salma Chairs International Conference on Cancer Control

Megan M — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:46:05 +0000

In Marrakech Thursday, Princesses and First Ladies from the Middle East and Africa gathered for the International Conference on Cancer Control, chaired by Morocco’s Princess Lalla Salma.

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Held by her cancer association and in partnership with the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization, the conference is meant to tackle ways to prevent the disease. The topic for this event is What strategy for preventing cervical cancer and facilitating cooperation and access to healthcare in the Middle-East and Africa?”

During the opening ceremony of the three day conference, Her Royal Highness suggested a Middle East – Africa fund be set up to fight cancer, plus the setting up of the African Oncology School.

“Given the current economic and financial crisis besetting even major donor countries, we must rely on ourselves and our own resources to meet the challenges facing our countries in this area,” Lalla Salma told the audience.

In attendance for this conference is Princesses Dina Mired and Ghaida of Jordan, who praised the Moroccan King’s wife by saying, “[t]hanks to the tireless efforts of the Lalla Salma Association to Fight against Cancer, the treatment of this problem has become accessible to thousands of patients in Morocco.”

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Also there is Sylvia Bango Odimba, Gabon’s First Lady; Conde Djénné Kaba, First Lady of Guinea; the First Lady of Equatorial Guinea, Constancia Mangue de Obiang; Malika Issofou Mahamadou who is the First Lady of Niger; and finally, the wife of the President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso, Sika Kaboré.

In the evening, there was a banquet in honor of the participants in the conference.

On Friday, Lalla Salma and the participants visited Marrakech’s oncology and hematology center at the Mohammed VI University Hospital. They were briefed on how the center operates, which is the first of its kind in the Marrakech region. It has state of the art technology and a chemotherapy unit, contributes to scientific research and trains doctors to battle cancer.

The International Conference on Cancer Control concludes Saturday.

Sources: Maghreb Arabe Presse

King Mohammed VI Builds Up M’diq

Megan M — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:36:31 +0000

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King Mohammed VI of Morocco was in the fishing port city of M’diq Wednesday where he laid a foundation stone for a social center and launched the renewal of the city’s landscape.

The 550 square meter social center is exclusively for the local fishermen and will have social assistance, counseling, literacy and awareness raising courses to them. It will cost 4 million dirhams and will be funded by the King Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity.

Next, the King was briefed on how the fishing port will be redeveloped at the cost of 10 million dirhams. This one will be done by Morocco’s Port Agency. It will include the development of roads and sidewalks, lighting columns and replacing small fish restaurants.

M’diq lies on the northern Mediterranean coast. It has a population of 60,000 and gets 100,000 tourists per year.

Sources: Maghreb Arabe Press, Wikipedia

Gulf Royals Sign Agreement to Invest in Moroccan Tourism Industry

Megan M — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 01:53:31 +0000

On Thursday, King Mohammed VI of Morocco saw the future of his country’s tourism sector grow brighter when royals from the Gulf states signed an agreement to set up Morocco’s Tourism Investment Authority.

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Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi signed the agreement, along with Kuwait’s Financial Minister Sheikh Mustafa Jassim al Shamali during a ceremony in Rabat.

The Director General of the Moroccan Fund for Tourism Development, Tarik Senhaji, pointed out during the event that having the Gulf nations invest in the North African kingdom’s tourism industry displayed the mutual trust between Morocco and those countries.

After the signing of the agreement, the royals and other delegates were briefed on two locations to be developed into tourism attractions. One was Ouarzazate which is south-east of Rabat. That place already attracts filmmakers, and will eventually have hotels, golf courses and a museum.

The other location is Oukaimden, near Marrakesh, which will also have golf courses and hotels, but also a ski resort.

In addition to agreeing to invest in the Moroccan tourism sector, Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad signed three other bilateral agreement with King Mohammed VI. They were to set up a Moroccan-Qatari investment firm, collaborate in the mining sector and putting in an addendum to a 1987 agreement for Moroccans working and living in Qatar.

Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse

Lalla Salma Presides Over National Day Against Cancer

Megan M — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:30:51 +0000

Morocco’s Princess Lalla Salma was in Rabat Tuesday to preside over a ceremony for the country’s National Day Against Cancer.

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An advocate for fighting cancer, the Princess gave out awards in recognition to those who seek to find cures for the disease. For this year, Dr. Hussein Abdel-Razzak Gezairy, Director of the World Health Organization for the Eastern Mediterranean, won the international award.

Other recipients included Sister Thérèse Garnier for her 20 years working for cancer patients. She works at an oncology center in Casablanca. Also taking home an award was Lahcen Houjir for his work in training nurses at the national oncology institute in Rabat, where he is the head of the nursing care department.

Also on Tuesday, Princess Lalla Salma was present for the signing of agreements between her association and GlaxoSmithkline in order to provide better access to medicine for those who are not wealthy enough to get them.

Another agreement had the association team up with the World Alliance Against Cancer with cancer treatment projects in Francophone nations in Africa.

Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse

Lalla Salma Calls for Global Fund to Fight Cancer

Megan M — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:59:24 +0000

Morocco’s Princess Lalla Salma made a formal call for a global fund to be set up in order to prevent and treat cancer during a gala dinner in New York Tuesday. The wife of King Mohammed VI expressed that such a fund should be modeled after the global fight against AIDS.

Click here to read about the symposium for next year.

As she gave a speech, Lalla Salma stressed fighting cancer should be a worldwide priority.

The Princess, who is chairwoman of the Lalla Salma Association for the Fight Against Cancer (ALSC), also talked about how it is necessary for the international community to share experience, technology and training.

She also insisted the ALSC would cooperate with other international cancer organizations, both public and in the private sector.

Lalla Salma also expressed her dismay that tobacco – which behind a large number of cancer cases – is not considered to be an illegal drug because of the damage it causes to one’s body.

In addition, she also voiced her dismay over the gap between the developed and the third world, and how poorer countries are unable to help their citizens who are suffering from cancer. Lalla Salma said this was because of declining international aid to those nations.

She also said in January of next year, Morocco will host a symposium on cancer.

“The association that I have the honor to chair will be pleased to share its experience with renowned institutions from friendly and brotherly countries”, said the Princess.

The Symposium “will lay the foundation for a fruitful cooperation between our countries”

Source: Maghreb Arabe Presse

Princess Lalla Aicha of Morocco Dies

Megan M — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:31:19 +0000

The aunt of Morocco’s King Mohammed VI was laid to rest Monday, following her death Sunday at the age of 81. Princess Lalla Aicha, who was the sister of the late King Hassan II, father of the current monarch, was the first Arab female ambassador when her brother appointed her as one to the U.K. in 1965.

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Born on June 17, 1930 in Rabat, Lalla Aicha was the eldest daughter of the late King Mohammad V and Lalla Abla Bint Tahar. Early on, she was a pioneer for women’s rights in Morocco. In 1947, she gave a speech in Tangiers demanding voting rights for women.

As for her role as ambassador, she served as the Moroccan ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1965 to 1969. She later represented her country in Greece from 1969 to 1970, and then Italy from 1970 to 1973. Lalla Aicha was also active in the Red Cresent Society.

The Princess was remembered by many former diplomats in Morocco as someone who showed the country needed both men and women for empowerment.

She is also remembered for embodying “the progress of Moroccan women, in that it considered the first hijab as an act of modesty,” said Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi.

Lalla Aicha’s funeral was held within 24 hours, in accordance to Islamic practices, at the Ahl Fès mosque. She is buried at the Moulay El Hassan Mausoleum at the Royal Palace in Rabat.

She is survived by her two daughters, Lalla Zubaida and Lalla Nufissa, from first husband Moulay Hassan Al-Yaqubi.

Sources: Gulf News, All Africa, Maghreb Arabe Presse, Royal Forums Blog

Moroccan King Inaugurates $12M Social Foundation

Megan M — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 17:34:41 +0000

King Mohammed VI spent Wednesday inaugurating the Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan foundation for social protection. Worth $12 million, the foundation aims to integrate vulnerable people both socially and professionally.

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The King was given a tour of the facility, which is spread over four hectares. He saw how the Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan foundation will teach the needy to overcome their problems and prepare for life beyond their troubles.

Set up in Ain Attiq in the capital region, the foundation aims to help 1,300 people at a time in two centers. The first will focus on children who are either abandoned, school drop-outs, drug addicts or are in troubled situations. The second center is for adults who are disabled or mentally ill. The center will also help abused women and senior citizens.

Overall, the center will provide all types of education, training in computer science, music and plastic arts, as well as a vocational training center, which provides training in electricity, aluminum carpentry, plumbing and sewing.

The Ahmed Bin Zayed Al Nahayan foundation is named after the Abu Dhabi sheikh who died in a plane crash in Morocco last year. He had a home in the kingdom for his family.

Sources: Maghreb Arabe Presse

Moroccan King Proposes Changes, Protesters Dissatisfied

Megan M — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 20:07:58 +0000

On Friday, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI broadcast a speech to his people, saying he will give up some of his absolute political powers. He also told the country he will name a prime minister from the largest political party to serve as head of the executive branch.

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Despite these promises, many of Morocco’s youth are dissatisfied. They wanted to see their King give up his military and religious powers as well, and as a result, its February 20 protest group will hold a demonstration on Sunday.

“The plan as proposed by the king yesterday does not respond to our demands for a true separation of powers,” said the spokesman of February 20.

However, there are some who are pleased with King Mohammed’s vows of change.

“The kingdom of Morocco has joined the list of democratic countries,” said one man out celebrating in Rabat.

“Today as Moroccan youths, we’re all celebrating our new constitution from the city of Tangier to the city of Lagouira.”

A referendum will take place on July 1st to make these changes permanent instead of in September as originally planned.

Among the other constitutional changes will be more freedom of religion, though Islam will remain the state faith. Also, the Berbers and their language will receive better treatment. The Berbers are the original inhabitants of Morocco and make up 60% of the population. But they claim discrimination and their language has not been considered one of the country’s main languages.

That, plus other proposals, will see a difference starting in July.

Sources: BBC News, New York Times

Charles & Camilla Start Moroccan Visit

Megan M — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:39:03 +0000

Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Morocco Monday, the final leg of their three nation tour to promote British business. This visit comes as Morocco is facing political changes amidst the protests sweeping across the Arab world. Although the climate has been mild compared to other countries, Morocco is still at a crossroads.

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Upon meeting with the British royals, Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi called the changes a “peaceful revolution”.

He said: “This is a very big event for Morocco, for the King to have invited the Prince, and it will reaffirm the historic relationship between the two countries.”

Charles and Camilla were greeted in Rabat by Prince Moulay Rachid, brother to King Mohammed VI. When they sat down for formal talks, they were served milk, a tradition in Morocco for its “sweet and pure intentions”.

Later, the couple paid a solemn visit to the tombs of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II. Prince Charles removed his shoes and the Duchess donned a head scarf as they paused in front of the final resting places of the last two Kings. The Prince even laid a wreath there.

Some British newspapers raised an eyebrow over Charles’ gesture. They said it was an ironic move since King Hassan II was considered to be “tyrannical” and yet his son, Mohammed VI, is making changes in politics and human rights.

Fouad Abdelmoumni, an economist and pro-democracy campaigner, suggested the timing of the Prince’s visit to Hassan II’s tomb was far from ideal.

He said: “Some people would think that it’s not the best time for him to do this kind of thing, and not the best place to visit.”

However, most Moroccans are aware that Prince Charles is on a diplomatic visit. There’s been some concern that the visit will be marred by protests, but so far, nothing serious.

Charles and Camilla ended their first day in the country by dining with King Mohammed VI and his family at Palais Dar Salam in Rabat.

Sources: The Press Association, The Telegraph

Moroccan King Says Constitution Will Be Revised

Megan M — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 22:27:17 +0000

King Mohammed VI took to Morocco’s airwaves Wednesday to deliver a speech where he announced that the constitution will be revised. His Majesty told his people that a new commission would recommend constitutional revisions to him by June, and the overall project would be put to Moroccan voters in a referendum.

REUTERS/Chip East/FILE

“By launching today the work of constitutional reform, we embark on a major phase in the process of consolidation of our model of democracy and development,” said the King, wearing glasses, a sober black tie and dark suit.

King Mohammed’s speech comes after weeks of demonstrations all over Morocco. The people demanded political reform, but they did not call for the removal of the monarchy. They instead geared their frustrations towards parliament, even though the King has absolute power.

In his speech, the monarch vowed women’s rights and political participation will be strengthened. Already such issues have been a major part of his reform since inheriting the throne in 1999.

King Mohammed also told Moroccans that he was committed to a “strong push” towards political reform.

Some of the protesters in Morocco said they would like to see a constitutional monarchy, where the King would be a figurehead.

Source: AP