King Mohammed VI of Morocco has just lent his support to a project to provide the Islamic world with information about the Holocaust - a goal diametrically opposed to the Holocaust denial pushed by Iran and others.
Morocco once had a population of around 300,000 Jews; today, only 3,000 remain, but the government has said it would welcome the return of Jewish emigres. It has played a role over the years in seeking to reconcile Arabs and Jews, and distinguishing between Moroccan Jews and Israelis in order to separate the Mideast conflict from domestic issues.
European governments would do well to emulate King Mohammed VI's policies. Not only do they have violent street demonstrators shouting 'death to the Jews' when the Mideast conflict flares up; in many classrooms, teachers are bullied into not even mentioning the Holocaust.
Showing posts with label Morocco. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Morocco. Show all posts
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Morocco - 3
I mentioned yesterday the increased role of women as elected officials in Morocco. That follows the adoption, in 2004, of a new family code aiming at equality of the sexes, and the entry of women into many jobs, such as policing, where they had never been previously employed.
Meanwhile, some girls and women wear traditional dress and others Western clothes. I saw only a couple women fully veiled. The impression was of a country in transition.
Meanwhile, some girls and women wear traditional dress and others Western clothes. I saw only a couple women fully veiled. The impression was of a country in transition.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Morocco - 2
The debate as to whether Islam is compatible with democracy appears to be largely irrelevant in Morocco. The communal, or local, elections that we observed were professionally conducted, fair and free, with a voter turnout of over 50%.
Some critics charged that the elections were not really significant, as King Mohammed VI would continue to exercise the only real authority. Indeed, the party that won the largest number of votes is led by a politician close to the King.
I disagree with that assessment. I think that the elections will contribute to greater democracy in Morocco, for the following reasons:
-- First, the party that won in fact is the one most committed to various modernizing reforms. Of its rivals, the Islamist party gained votes but still only received less than 8% of the total.
-- Second, Morocco is busy decentralizing fiscal authority so, at particularly in the larger towns and cities, local officials will be responsible for large budgets - and with money comes power and influence.
-- Third, the minimum age for candidates was lowered this year from 23 to 21, making it possible for younger people to compete. While they will presumably be inexperienced, they should also have a lot of energy and ambition.
-- Fourth, this election also set aside a number of seats for women candidates. Many of those elected were young and well-educated. If this trend continues, over time it too will produce significant changes.
Some critics charged that the elections were not really significant, as King Mohammed VI would continue to exercise the only real authority. Indeed, the party that won the largest number of votes is led by a politician close to the King.
I disagree with that assessment. I think that the elections will contribute to greater democracy in Morocco, for the following reasons:
-- First, the party that won in fact is the one most committed to various modernizing reforms. Of its rivals, the Islamist party gained votes but still only received less than 8% of the total.
-- Second, Morocco is busy decentralizing fiscal authority so, at particularly in the larger towns and cities, local officials will be responsible for large budgets - and with money comes power and influence.
-- Third, the minimum age for candidates was lowered this year from 23 to 21, making it possible for younger people to compete. While they will presumably be inexperienced, they should also have a lot of energy and ambition.
-- Fourth, this election also set aside a number of seats for women candidates. Many of those elected were young and well-educated. If this trend continues, over time it too will produce significant changes.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Morocco - 1
Last week I went to Morocco as an international election observer for the communal elections. They took place on June 12, the same day as the Iranian elections. The trip was extremely interesting, so I thought I'd post some entries describing my chief impressions.
I had always thought of Morocco as being exotic, remote and not necessarily friendly to Europeans or Americans. Nothing prepared me for the warmth and friendliness of the people - it's a much nicer atmosphere than in Madrid or Malaga, two Spanish cities which I've visited in the past 10 years. It's odd; I speak Spanish but no Arabic, yet felt more at ease in Morocco than in Spain.
The second surprise was the discovery that Morocco is one big construction site. I had expected a financially struggling government buffeted by the economic downturn, and abandoned cranes by rusting skeletons of buildings. Wrong again. The government's long-term debt is significantly lower than its annual budget expenditures or its foreign exchange reserves. It ran a budget surplus until two years ago, so it has some cushion for subsidies for construction (lower interest rates and tax breaks) and basic commodities. In fact, the U.S. government might do well to ask the Moroccans for advice...
I saw apartment buildings, commercial space, and luxury villas going up in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh and the towns in between. It turns out that most of Morocco's urban areas are in similar shape. I also saw slums, but not as many as I had expected. In talking to people, it's clear that jobs are not easy to find and that most incomes remain low, but the atmosphere is not downbeat.
I had always thought of Morocco as being exotic, remote and not necessarily friendly to Europeans or Americans. Nothing prepared me for the warmth and friendliness of the people - it's a much nicer atmosphere than in Madrid or Malaga, two Spanish cities which I've visited in the past 10 years. It's odd; I speak Spanish but no Arabic, yet felt more at ease in Morocco than in Spain.
The second surprise was the discovery that Morocco is one big construction site. I had expected a financially struggling government buffeted by the economic downturn, and abandoned cranes by rusting skeletons of buildings. Wrong again. The government's long-term debt is significantly lower than its annual budget expenditures or its foreign exchange reserves. It ran a budget surplus until two years ago, so it has some cushion for subsidies for construction (lower interest rates and tax breaks) and basic commodities. In fact, the U.S. government might do well to ask the Moroccans for advice...
I saw apartment buildings, commercial space, and luxury villas going up in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh and the towns in between. It turns out that most of Morocco's urban areas are in similar shape. I also saw slums, but not as many as I had expected. In talking to people, it's clear that jobs are not easy to find and that most incomes remain low, but the atmosphere is not downbeat.
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