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 Click here for original article 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
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.
 Click here to learn more 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
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.
 Click here to learn more 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
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.
 Click here to learn more 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
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.
 Click here to see more photos 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
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.
 Click here for more photos at Daylife 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
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
The second child of King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Salma of Morocco celebrated her fourth birthday Monday. Princess Lalla Khadija marked her big day with her family, which included big brother Crown Prince Moulay Hassan, who is 7 years old.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse When she was born, there were 21 cannon rounds throughout the Kingdom. Moroccans congratulated the royal family by signing guest books at the Directorate of Royal Protocol and Chancellery, as well as in different Prefectures and Provinces of Morocco, as well as the various embassies and consulates abroad.
There were also celebrations in the cities and towns of Morocco, with squares and public building decorated with lanterns and the national flag.
Families who also had babies the same day as the newborn Princess were given presents by the royal family.
Lalla Khadija may be only four years old, but she has already made appearances at some of her father’s engagements, particularly at Ramadan events.
Source: Le Matin
The anti-government protests sweeping through the Arab world seemed to leave Morocco out until Sunday. That was when thousands took to the streets, demanding King Mohammed VI relieve some of his powers, dismiss the government and tackle corruption.
 REUTERS/Macao “This is a peaceful protest to push for constitutional reform, restore dignity and end graft and the plundering of public funds,” said Mustapha Muchtati of the Baraka group, which helped organise the march.
“Baraka” means “enough” in Moroccan Arabic.
In the capital city of Rabat, a crowd of about 10,000 people marched through the streets chanting: “Down with autocracy” and “The people want to change the constitution,” as well as slogans against the government, corruption and state television.
While the Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament – two elections have been regarded as fair – King Mohammed has plenty of power. He can dissolve the legislature, block laws from being passed and have a key say in government appointments including the prime minister.
Although the King is quite popular in Morocco, thanks to steps he has taken towards democracy and human rights, there is still discontentment.
“People don’t take part in elections in Morocco, they are meaningless. We want a monarchy, but like in Spain or England,” said Aharahi Fawzi, a 30-year-old IT specialist with a university degree. Like many, Fawzi is unemployed, one of the reasons for Moroccans taking to the streets.
But older generations don’t see eye to eye with the youths.
“This king works for the people. He has done a lot for the poor,” said a 67-year-old who said he was a landscape artist and gave his name only as Mohammed. “I don’t know what these young people want, we who are older have seen a lot.”
“Demands for constitutional reform have been around for decades,” political commentator Ali Anozla said. “But this is the first time this demand has been embraced by apolitical youths, Moroccans from leftists to Islamists and Berber militants. A barrier of fear has been overcome today.”
Sources: Gulf Daily News, Wall Street Journal
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia arrived in Casablanca, Morocco Saturday where he was greeted by King Mohammed VI. But the Saudi King is not in the North African country for a state visit; he is there to recuperate from back surgery which he had back in November.
 Maghreb Arabe Presse King Abdullah, age 87, was in New York for the past two months for operations for a blood clot complicating a slipped disc. Until now, he was in an undisclosed location receiving therapy for the procedure.
It is unknown how long Abdullah will stay in Morocco.
His half-brother, Crown Prince Sultan, stayed nearly a year in the same country recovering from cancer treatments until late 2009.
Concern over the health of the King is major on the world stage. Saudi Arabia controls more than a fifth of the world’s crude oil reserves and is a vital U.S. ally in the region as well as a major holder of dollar assets.
When King Abdullah passes, the question would be whether a conservative or a reformer like him will succeed the monarchy.
Source: Reuters
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