Rabat – Morocco has received dozens of messages of appreciation from Lebanese citizens and celebrities after King Mohammed VI sent humanitarian medical aid to Lebanon in the wake of the Beirut explosion.
The North African country sent eight flights loaded with medical aid to Lebanon to express compassion and solidarity with the Lebanese people after the shocking and tragic Beirut explosion.
Since then, the “thank you King Mohammed VI” hashtag in Arabic has been sweeping social networks, mainly Twitter, to thank Morocco for its humanitarian initiative.
Celebrities joined the Lebanese people to express their thanks and appreciation to the King.
Ramy Ayach, a renowned Lebanese singer, wrote a tweet today thanking the King and the royal family for their calls to make sure the Ayach family is safe.
اشكر جلالة الملك والعائلة الملكية المغربية على اتصالهم للإطمأنان عني وعن عائلتي .نشكرهم على المبادرات الانسانية لدعم لبنان ومساندتنا،
كما اشكر كل الدول اللي ساعدت لبنان وتدعمه في ازمته ومصابه#شكرا_جلالة_الملك_محمد_السادس
“We thank them for the humanitarian initiative to support Lebanon,” Ayach added.
Lebanese singer Amer Zayan also shared the hashtag, expressing thanks to King Mohammed VI.
Waled Tawfik, another iconic singer in Lebanon, shared a video on his social networks to express his appreciation for the King and the Moroccan people’s solidarity.
Lebanese singer Saad Hamdan said Morocco has always been the first to extend a hand of help to Lebanon and support his country.
Hairi, who is also the ambassador of Good Intentions for Culture & Arts, wrote on Twitter: “Thank you to the Kingdom of Morocco and the King of Morocco King Mohammed VI for supporting Morocco and for standing by the country in this crisis.”
Lebanese artist Shiraz also shared the hashtag, thanking the King for all he “presented to her country’s population.”
The Beirut explosion killed at least 150 people and wounded more than 5,000 others.
Searches are still underway to find the remains of possible victims.
شكراً لجميع الدول يلّي ساهمت بدعم لبنان بأصعب محنة عم نمرق فيها و #شكرا_جلالة_الملك_محمد_السادس على كل شي قدّمته لشعب بلدي
Rabat – Moroccan police in Casablanca seized today August 7, 5.222 tons of cannabis resin and arrested three people for their suspected involvement in an international drug trafficking network.
Moroccan security officers led the operation in accordance with the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
According to the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), the drug bust took place on an agricultural farm in the rural commune of Oulad Maimoun, 39 kilometers from Casablanca.
In cooperation with the Moroccan Royal Gendarmerie, police officers arrested the three suspects and seized a vehicle.
They also seized a significant sum of money which police suspect came from the criminal act, in addition to 150 wafers of cannabis resin.
DGSN also revealed that the large quantity of cannabis resin was carefully buried in a pit.
Security service placed the three suspects in custody for a prosecutorial investigation to determine the impact of their criminal acts in Morocco and internationally.
The operation falls within the framework of joint DGSN-DGST efforts in the fight against crime that crosses Moroccan borders, especially drug trafficking.
In a similar operation in the southern province of Guelmim, Moroccan police arrested on July 24 three suspects for their alleged involvement with an international criminal network.
Police officers apprehended the suspects at a farm in Tagant, 35 kilometers from Guelmim.
They seized 104 bales of drugs, containing nearly three tons of cannabis resin, in addition to an inflatable boat, outboard motors, and marine navigation devices.
Cannabis resin is the most commercialized and consumed drug in Morocco, and such operations are frequent across the country.
Rabat – Fruit fans in Morocco should set aside a bit more cash this prickly pear season. As farmers struggle to meet consumer demand, prices for the popular cactus fruit continue to rise.
Street vendors, outfitted in protective gloves, may collect double the price per cactus pear this year. Small and medium prickly pears, which once sold in Morocco’s markets for MAD 0.50 and MAD 1.00 ($0.05 and $0.10) now go for MAD 1.00 and MAD 1.50 ($0.10 and $0.15). Larger fruits could cost as much MAD 3.00 ($0.30) a piece.
According to The Economist, prickly pear prices in Morocco can equal those of some imported fruits — a disappointing trade for those fond of the hydrating and seedy fruit which once flourished in the North African country.
Merchants attribute the upward trend in prices to an invasive species of cochineal insects that is decimating between 30% and 50% of crops. The insect, called Dactylopius Opuntiae, was first identified along the northern coast of Morocco in 2014. Since then, the pest has spread to other regions throughout the country, devastating the cactus plant and causing serious economic loss.
Wilting and browned cacti are visible along roadsides as the fruit falls victim to the pests that feast on prickly pear pulp.
The Ministry of Agriculture has mobilized MAD 80 million ($8.6 million) to address the issue. While pesticides and predator insects have helped to temporarily relieve the plant of infestation, in some cases, it is necessary to uproot entire plantations. However, the time, effort, and expense needed to replant the crop often deters farmers from opting for more sustainable solutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to Morocco’s prickly pear crisis. With travel restrictions continuing across the country, the challenge of transporting the fruit has only exacerbated the shortage and imbalance of supply and demand.
Prickly pears, native to Mexico, first came to Morocco in the early 17th century from Spain. Not only do humans enjoy eating the fruit, it is also used to feed livestock, enriches soil, and contributes to Morocco’s biodiversity. Amazigh (Berbers) have a long history of using the seed oil from prickly pears to moisturize skin, hair, and nails.
In addition, the cactus fruit is medicinal. The antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant properties are known to reduce cholesterol, treat type II diabetes, and ease ulcers. It is rich with vitamins E, A, and C, as well as Omega 6 and magnesium.
In Morocco, vendors typically peel the prickly pear for customers to eat on the spot. At times, customers request their fruit peeled and bagged to take away and enjoy later.
With production at alarming lows and prices on the rise, Moroccans may enjoy less than their fair share of prickly pears this season.
Rabat – Morocco’s Parliament has unanimously adopted a bill to complement Decree-Law 2.20.292 relating to the obligation of wearing face masks in public.
Both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors approved the legal text during a joint meeting on Friday, August 7.
Decree-Law 2.20.292, first adopted on March 23, provides a legal framework for the preventive measures that came along with the state of health emergency, as well as the penalties awaiting offenders.
During Friday’s meeting, Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit gave a presentation on Decree-Law 2.20.292 and its complementary bill.
Article 4 of the decree-law provides for prison sentences ranging from one to three months and a fine of MAD 300 ($32) to MAD 1,300 ($140), or one of the two, Laftit recalled.
The minister explained that the government developed newly-approved legal text after noticing that citizens began to slack off in terms of wearing face masks in public.
In the first months of Morocco’s state of health emergency, from March to May, the majority of citizens only left their homes in cases of necessity, regularly avoided gatherings, and wore face masks, Laftit said.
However, after Morocco witnessed eased lockdown measures in June, “there was a relaxation in the respect of preventive measures, especially the wearing of face masks in public,” the minister added.
Possibility of immediate fines
The newly-adopted bill aims to simplify the enforcement of punishments against those not wearing face masks in Morocco.
The legal text provides for a fixed fine of MAD 300 to be paid immediately at the time of the infraction in order to avoid trial, “while taking into consideration the principle of proportionality between the offense and the sanction,” Laftit explained. The immediate fine simplifies the procedure following infractions and allows offenders to avoid going to court.
If the offenders are unable to or refuse to pay the fine, they have to appear in court within the following 24 hours.
Rabat – Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) have deployed many armored personnel carriers (APCs) in Tangier and Fez to enforce the preventive measures against COVID-19.
Several photos and videos on social media show the armored vehicles patrolling the streets of the two cities to monitor compliance with safety measures.
انتشرت اليوم بمدينة طنجة وحدات “دعم” التابعة للقوات المسلحة الملكية ضمن اجراءات حالة الطوارئ الصحية ببلادنا.
Military vehicles densely patrolled the regions and neighborhoods with high counts of COVID-19, including the roads leading to Tangier’s industrial zones and some of Fez’ popular neighborhoods.
The Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region is currently the second-most affected region in Morocco, recording 23.39% of the country’s cases. Meanwhile, Fez-Meknes is the third-most affected region, reporting 16.28% of the national case count.
In recent weeks, Morocco multiplied efforts to put the COVID-19 spread in Tangier and Fez under control.
On July 26, the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Health banned travel to and from Tangier and Fez, along with six other major cities.
The decision, which came five days before Eid al-Adha, caused frustration among citizens who were planning to spend the religious feast with their relatives.
A few days prior to the government’s decision, the Wali (Governor) of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima banned workers in the Tangier Free Zone from leaving the city during Eid al-Adha. The Tangier Free Zone hosts many factories and production units that witnessed major COVID-19 outbreaks.
Strict lockdown returns
The continuous rise in COVID-19 indicators in Tangier and Fez, despite the strict measures being taken, led Morocco’s government to reimpose a lockdown on the two cities on August 5.
According to the new regulations, Tangier and Fez residents cannot leave their city without an exceptional movement permit, and all gatherings are banned.
Shops, cafes, and commercial centers in the city must shut at 10 p.m., while restaurants need to close their doors at 11 p.m.
Authorities also banned access to public spaces, such as gardens, sports complexes, and beaches.
Finally, public transport reduced its maximal capacity to 50% of the available seats, instead of 75%.
The lockdown measures are even stricter in neighborhoods that witnessed COVID-19 hotspots. In these neighborhoods, citizens are banned from leaving their homes without an exceptional movement permit.
Shops, cafes, and restaurants must shut their doors at 8 p.m., while markets have to close at 4 p.m.
Moreover, hammams (public baths) and beauty salons can no longer operate in the concerned neighborhoods.
The lockdown measures imposed on Tangier and Fez are some of the strictest in all of Morocco. However, it remains to be seen whether they will succeed in curbing the spread of COVID-19.
Rabat – Officers from the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) of Oujda, in northeastern Morocco, have seized 20 kilograms of gold and €2,489,870 ($2.93 million) in cash. Authorities suspect the confiscated valuables to be a result of criminal activities.
The security operation took place on Friday evening, August 7, in coordination with the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), said a statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).
During the operation, police arrested four suspects for their alleged participation in criminal acts. Morocco’s security services also seized five cars, 12 gold ingots weighing 20 kilograms in total, and MAD 110,000 ($11,885), in addition to the sum in euros. The confiscated gold has an estimated value of $1.3 million.
Security services launched an investigation to determine the sum of money’s origin and any criminal activities that may be linked to it.
Search operations following the initial arrests led to the arrest of a fifth suspect in the region of Bni Drar, approximately 25 kilometers north of Oujda.
During the arrest operation, a police officer fired two warning bullets after a group of individuals threw stones at security services. The “fierce resistance” injured one police officer, DGSN said.
All five suspects are currently in custody, pending investigations under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Search operations are ongoing to arrest the remaining accomplices who refused to comply and opted for violence against police officers, DGSN concluded.
Rabat – The Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMVI) in Rabat is exhibiting major milestones in Morocco’s art history in its latest exhibition, “Moroccan Painters in the National Collections, From Ben Ali R’bati to Today.”
The exhibition, opening on August 12, will welcome visitors to view the paintings curated from national collections. These collections belong to the Academy of the Kingdom, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, and the National Museum Foundation (FNM).
In a recent press statement, the FNM said that the exhibit “traces the artistic genesis in Morocco.” It includes at least one hundred major works that span Morocco’s art history, beginning with Ben Ali R’bati, the first Moroccan painter to exhibit in Europe.
Other notable artists featured in the exhibit include Chaiba Talal, Ahmed Yacoubi, and Mohamed Hamri.
Mehdi Qotbi, president of the FNM, said “in these times disrupted by a global pandemic, art and culture have become more essential than ever to our daily lives by adorning it with images, colors, brilliance, and creativity.”
Qotbi advocated for the “joy” of meeting in an exhibition space, noting that virtual exhibitions don’t compare to “the unique atmosphere of a museum.”
In compliance with COVID-19 sanitary measures, MMVI requires visitors to reserve tickets for the exhibition in advance. Upon arrival, visitors are required to undergo a temperature check and make use of the non-contact hydroalcoholic sanitizer dispensers available at the museum entrance.
Other regulations include wearing a protective face mask, respecting social distancing measures, and following museum directional signs.
Tracing decades of Morocco’s art history through paintings that mark the country’s artistic national heritage, the MMVI will offer the collections on display for visitors until December 15 this year.
Rabat – The resurgence of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Morocco have become a major preoccupation for local authorities and may lead them to postpone the country’s general elections scheduled for 2021.
Citing “well informed” political sources, Morocco’s Arab-speaking news outlet Assabah reported in its weekend coverage, on August 8-9, that the government and political leaders may agree to postpone next year’s elections.
Many in the political landscape want the country’s efforts to focus instead on curbing the “worrying spread” of the new coronavirus.
COVID-19 ‘more urgent’
The political leaders in favor of a postponement have reportedly argued that organizing a series of local, communal regional, and parliamentary elections is usually a long and excruciating process.
The general elections would require political meetings and many campaign-related activities. The concern is that these gatherings could make it easier for COVID-19 to spread and create numerous viral hotspots across Morocco.
Additionally, the elections are estimated to cost MAD 3 billion ($300 million). This could pose an increased economic concern in a year that has already been fiscally challenging. All of this should be an argument against going ahead with the normal schedule, they say.
According to Asabah, those calling for a rescheduling have even addressed a letter to the government. In it, they asked for the MAD 3 billion budget to be repurposed as part of the COVID-19 relief fund to help the country win its fight against the pandemic.
Their leading argument is that the country’s “worrying epidemiologic situation is more urgent” than the urgency of replacing the current political leadership.
According to the Assabah report, this thinking–that dealing with COVID-19 should be the country’s number one priority and everything else, including next year’s general elections, can wait–prevails among the political class.
Morocco needs a new political leadership
But there are some dissenting voices, especially from the left-leaning, liberal fringe of the Moroccan political arena.
For those marginal voices opposing any moves to postpone next year’s elections, the report noted, getting rid of the ruling party and what they see as a cycle of failed promises and “ineffective governance” is just as important–and urgent–as effectively dealing with the pandemic.
For them, rather than providing a pretext for postponing the elections, the COVID-19 crisis is actually a reason why the general elections are needed: the urgency of electing a new political leadership. They argue that the current crisis calls for a legitimate, elected political class the country can trust.
The news comes amid a resurgence of COVID-19 infections across Morocco. With 8 cities already under lockdown, there are further debates about whether the country needs to extend the lockdown to other cities and regions in order to halt what many are calling a “second wave” of infections.
Morocco was, by most standards, among the world’s COVID-19 success stories in its first months of dealing with the virus.
As they reminisce over those early reassuring–even if painful– pandemic months, many are calling for the authorities to reimpose some kind of partial lockdown.
Their argument, widely believed among Moroccans and observers, is that the rush to lift the early restrictions and “get life back to normal” explains a lot of what has happened in the past two to three weeks since.
As opinions diverge, and occasionally converge, on whether to reimpose total or partial lockdown across Morocco, it remains to be seen what both the electors and the political class will make of the calls to postpone next year’s general elections in Morocco.
Rabat – The Moroccan Ministry of Health reported 1,345 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases recorded in Morocco since the beginning of the outbreak to 32,007.
This marks Morocco’s highest number of COVID-19 cases in one day since the beginning of the outbreak on March 2. To date, 4 people for every 100,00 in the population of Morocco have tested positive for COVID-19.
In the last 24 hours, the ministry recorded 642 new recoveries. The recovery count stands at 20,553. The recovery rate decreased to 69.3%.
With 19 new fatalities, the total number of deaths is now 480. The mortality rate stands at 1.51%. The most recent deaths include nine in Casablanca, five in Tangier, two in Fez, and one in each of Marrakech, Meknes, and Al Haouz.
Meanwhile, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Morocco is 9,337. The Ministry indicated that a number of active COVID-19 cases where those infected are not presenting severe symptoms are receiving treatment in their homes.
The ministry counts 122 COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms, including 40 under artificial respiration.
Approximately 1,395,628 suspected COVID-19 cases have tested negative since the virus emerged in Morocco.
COVID-19’s spread across Morocco
The Casablanca-Settat region recorded 432 cases in the last 24 hours. The region’s total number of confirmed cases now represents 26.05% of all cases Morocco has recorded.
The Marrakech-Safi region recorded 354 new cases to represent 15.18% of Morocco’s cases.
The Fez-Meknes region reported 194 new cases (16.21%).
The region of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima recorded 131 new cases to represent 22.82% of the country’s cases.
The Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region recorded 101 new COVID-19 cases, 9.59% of Morocco’s cases, while the Oriental region recorded 22 new cases (1.80%).
Eleven new cases appeared in the Souss-Massa region, now totaling 0.58% of Morocco’s COVID-19 cases.
The Beni Mellal-Khenifra region recorded 40 new cases (1.42%).
Seven cases emerged in the southern region of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, which has now recorded 0.34% of the country’s cases.
The Draa-Tafilalet region recorded 49 new cases to represent 2.75% of all of Morocco’s cases.
Finally, the southern regions of Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra and Guelmim-Oued Noun recorded two cases each to cover 2.72% and 0.53% of Morocco’s cases, respectively.
Rabat – The High Commission for Planning (HCP) has reported that the number of underemployed workers in Morocco rose from 365,000 to 1,359,000 during the second quarter of 2020.
HCP released an information note about the situation of the labor market in the second fiscal quarter of 2020. The figures draw a comparison between the second quarter of 2019 and the same period of 2020.
During this quarter the underemployment rate increased from 7.8% to 12.2% in urban areas and from 10.6% to 14.1% in rural areas.
Approximately 753,000 workers in urban areas and 606,000 who reside in the rural areas were unemployed during the second quarter.
Meanwhile, the number of individuals underemployed due to a decline in working hours almost tripled, increasing from 343,000 to 957,000.
Overall, the average number of hours worked per week per person decreased from 45 to 22. The decline in working hours affected all sectors, HCP noted.
“In addition, 265 million working hours per week were lost from the second quarter of 2019, which equates to 5.5 million full-time jobs,” revealed HCP.
They added that this decline mainly affected the sectors of construction by 71%, followed by industry and crafts by 63%, services (54%) and agriculture, and forestry and fishing (41%).
The number of underemployed linked to insufficient income or a disparity between training and employment grew from 652,000 to 402,000 across Morocco.
HCP noted that the largest number of underemployed workers are those aged 45 to 59, marking an increase of 5.3%.
The next largest population is those who have no qualifying diploma, with an increase of 4.2%. Next is men, with a 4% increase.
Morocco‘s sectors with the highest rate of underemployed workers include handicrafts, with a rise from 5.9% to 12.7%, followed by construction (from 15.1% to 21%), and the service industry(7.7% to 11.5%).
HCP affirmed that the situation resulted from the COVID-19 crisis that has marked the second quarter of 2020.
Rabat – With Morocco’s coastline, mountains, and desert landscapes, the climate can change from one region to another, so determining the best time to travel to Morocco can be very helpful in planning your trip.
Morocco is a diverse country, from its Atlas Mountains, different beaches, and Sahara desert, to its various intriguing cultures, historic cities, languages, and delightful food. The climate in Morocco is different from one region to another and one season to the next.
The seasons are very similar to those in other parts of the northern hemisphere. Generally speaking, the best times to visit can be April and May or September to November. At these times, it is not too hot or too cold, and there are not many tourists in the country or many holidays.
Winters can dip below freezing temperatures with winter storms in the mountains, while summers are harshest in the desert.
When choosing the right time to visit Morocco, keep in mind the weather you feel most comfortable traveling in and the places you want to visit in the country.
Spring
For adventurers who enjoy spending time hiking and exploring waterfalls, spring may present the best travel experience in Morocco. Akchour, Morocco. Photo: Perri Huggins / Morocco World News
For adventurers who enjoy spending time hiking and exploring waterfalls, spring may present the best travel experience in Morocco. Akchour, Morocco. Photo: Perri Huggins / Morocco World News
Spring in Morocco is when the snow and rainy days become rare, besides the peaks of the mountains and the chilly seas. The sun shines and the flowers bloom with the warm and dry weather. The temperature varies between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius but can also rise to 25 degrees Celsius, depending on the region.
March is the start of Morocco’s spring. It can be sunny sometimes and then cold at other times. It is best to pack clothes in anticipation of unpredictable weather. March is perfect for outdoor activities such as sightseeing, hiking, biking, and surfing. Many outdoor adventurers see spring as the best time to travel to Morocco.
During March, the annual International Nomads Festival occurs in M’Hamid El Ghizlane, a desert oasis city in the southern province of Zagora. It brings musicians from all around the world to perform in concerts alongside Moroccan artists.
In April, the temperature rises up to 25 to 27 degrees Celsius and the landscapes are green. April weather is perfect for visiting attractions, museums, palaces, and monuments because it won’t be too hot to walk around the cities. April is also an excellent month to hike the Atlas mountain ranges and explore the Sahara desert because of its moderate temperatures.
In May, the weather starts getting even warmer and sunnier. The first week of May sees the Rose Festival take place in Kelaat M’Gouna. The central Moroccan town is famous for its landscapes of pink roses that locals use to produce soap, perfumes, and beauty products. This month is a good time to visit the imperial cities of Morocco and its medinas and souks, because they take quite a while to explore and visiting them fully in the summer months can cause fatigue.
Summer
Moroccan Gnaoua maalem Hamid El Kasri shares the stage with Brooklyn-based jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy at Gnaoua World Music Festival 2018. Essaouira, Morocco. Photo: Perri Huggins/Morocco World News
Moroccan Gnaoua maalem Hamid El Kasri shares the stage with Brooklyn-based jazz fusion collective Snarky Puppy at Gnaoua World Music Festival 2018. Essaouira, Morocco. Photo: Perri Huggins/Morocco World News
Summer months in Morocco are quite hot, especially in the southern regions. The cities are the most crowded, with foreign tourists and Moroccans on their summer vacation.
June is when the weather starts getting hotter and is the perfect opportunity to visit coastal regions. Coastal cities such as Essaouira and Tangier are great June destinations because they are still a bit cooler than other cities in Morocco.
June is perhaps the best time to travel to Morocco for outdoor music festival-goers. Mawazine music festival is held in Rabat, where musicians, both international and local, perform in open concerts for five days on a number of stages throughout the city. The Gnaoua Music Festival takes place in Essaouira to celebrate the Gnaoua heritage.
In July the temperature rises to 45 degrees Celsius in some cities. This makes it the best time to enjoy Morocco’s beaches and relax at the pool. It is a great time of year to go sightseeing in the evening or at night, when the medinas come to life and light shines from lanterns and chandeliers.
The exciting Timitar Music Festival occurs in July in the beach city of Agadir. Artists from around the world celebrate and promote the Amazigh (Berber) culture.
August, like July, is a very hot month when most Moroccans like to relax at the beach and enjoy the rest of their summer vacation. Cities such as Tangier, Essaouira, Fnideq, and Martil are best visited during this month for warm beach waters and a cool atmosphere.
August is also when the Moussem of Moulay Abdellah Amghar occurs. It is a religious and folklore festival with art and fantasia performances. Over 500,000 Moroccans and foreign visitors gather each year to witness and enjoy the traditional arts.
Fall
Those who enjoy a crisp and beautiful coastal view may find October the best time to visit Morocco. Tangier, Morocco. Photo: Perri Huggins / Morocco World News
Those who enjoy a crisp and beautiful coastal view may find October the best time to visit Morocco. Tangier, Morocco. Photo: Perri Huggins / Morocco World News
Fall in Morocco is always lovely. Its cooler temperatures and dry atmosphere make it an ideal time to visit Moroccan cities, mountains, the desert, as well as the beaches.
In September the days are still warm with temperatures that rise to 33 degrees Celsius. The coastal cities and beaches are not as busy during this period, when summer vacation ends, which makes it even more convenient to travel to them.
The traditional Imilchil Wedding Festival occurs in September in the small village of Imilchil, in the High Atlas Mountains. Neighboring Amazigh tribes celebrate marriages between the tribes with music, dance, and food. Additionally, the Oasis Music Festival is held in September in Marrakech and features electronic music.
In October, the climate starts to gradually change and the temperature starts to drop even more. The weather is nice for hiking and exploring smaller villages in the country. The Guetna festival is held in Erfoud, an oasis village near Ouarzazate. Villagers celebrate the harvest of dates, which are a symbol of the oasis, with dance and music performances.
November is when Morocco starts getting cold, with rainy days and sometimes even snow. Cities such as Tangier, Fez, Tetouan, and Asilah are great destinations for this weather and their beaches are beautiful, though chilly, this time of year. You will also get to explore many historic attractions in these cities, such as the Hercules Cave in Tangier.
Winter
Winter months in Morocco are quiet and cold. In the south, the temperature is quite mild in the day and drops at night. The north is windy and rainy, while the Atlas Mountains become extremely cold and covered with snow. When visiting Morocco during winter, it is important to pack warmer clothes.
In December, the weather gets even colder, especially in northern cities and small villages where it snows. It is also the time of the festival of Tan-Tan Moussem. Over 30 tribes from around Morocco come together to celebrate, indulging in activities such as camel races, dancing, and exchanging stories.
December is also the month of the annual Marrakech International Film Festival. Hundreds of films screen for festival-goers, and film artists and creators receive awards.
January is a less busy month, with fewer tourists and Moroccans traveling. Morocco gets only one day as a holiday to celebrate the new year. Moroccans like to celebrate the night either at home with their families and friends or at parties and celebrations organized across the country.
February is cold and snowy in some cities in Morocco but it starts getting a bit warmer in the afternoon. The best destinations during this month are ski resorts, either in the beautiful snow-covered and European-style town Ifrane or at the Oukaimeden resort near Marrakech. Many winter sports lovers may find February the best time to travel to Morocco.
February is when the Almond Blossom Festival is held in Tafraoute, Tiznit province. You can see all kinds of almonds in the place where the best almond-based products are made.
Holidays
There are many important holidays in Morocco that you should consider before visiting the country. There are holidays where Moroccans only take one or two days off, while others can take up to a week. Depending on whether you intend to participate, a holiday could represent either the best time for you to travel to Morocco, or a time to be wary of heavy traffic and potential closures.
During several of these holidays, institutions, restaurants, and shops are closed. During Ramadan, all restaurants are closed during the day, with a few exceptions. They only open after ftour, the meal where Muslims break their fast after sunset.
Holidays with consistent dates are Labor Day on May 1, Throne Day on July 30, the Anniversary of the Oued ed-Dahab Recovery on August 14, King Mohammed VI’s birthday on August 20, the Green March anniversary on November 6, and Independence Day on November 18.
The dates of Islamic holidays vary, based on the lunar calendar. Eid al Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan, Eid Al Adha is a three-day observance, Fatih Muharram is the first day of the Islamic year, and Al Milad Nabawi celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
Visiting Morocco Can be a gratifying and delightful experience for anyone. However, not everyone enjoys all seasons of the year, so plan to travel to Morocco when you will most enjoy the trip.
You also might want to account for the dates of festivals and celebrations if you are interested in learning about Morocco’s heritage and culture.
Taking notes from this list should help facilitate your decision-making regarding the best time for you to travel to Morocco and where you want to go during your visit.
Rabat – TripAdvisor, the largest travel platform in the world, has featured Morocco’s Marrakech as among the top 25 destinations across the globe.
The US-based company lists thousands of activities to explore in the city and the surrounding region.
TripAdvisor placed Marrakech in the 21st position, describing it as a “magical place” teeming with markets, palaces, mosques, and gardens.
London topped the list, followed by Paris, Crete (Greece), and Bali (Indonesia).
Rome is the fifth on the list followed by Phuket (Thailand), Sicily (Italy), and Majorca (Balearic Islands).
Marrakech, as 21st on the list, comes before Lisbon, Tokyo, Kyoto (Japan), and New York City.
“Exploring the intimate courtyards and snaking alleyways of the historic Medina can easily eat up a day,” the agency wrote.
The agency invited travelers to find inner peace with a visit to the “serene Jardin Majorelle” or by exploring the beauty of the city’s historic mosques.
“Unless you are Muslim, you are not allowed to enter,” the agency clarified.
This is not the first time TripAdvisor has promoted the city of Marrakech as a top travel destination. Several lists from the agency have promoted Marrakech as one of the best destinations for tourists in the world.
One of the latest lists was in March 2019, when TripAdvisor ranked Marrakech ninth in its top Traveler’s Choice Destinations in the world.
In March 2020, the travel platform reaffirmed Marrakech’s position as a major tourist hub.
The red city is surely a magical place to visit in Morocco, but not at the moment due to COVID-19.
Marrakech is among the destinations in Morocco that is now closed to domestic tourists due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.
In July, Morocco suspended travel from and to Marrakech due to the high number of COVID-19 cases in the region.
Morocco closed eight cities, most of which are major tourist destinations, including Tangier, Casablanca, Fez, and Meknes.
The total number of tourists visiting Morocco in 2019 reached 13 million. French tourists represented the largest group with a total number of 1.99 million. Marrakech alone attracted nearly three million visitors last year, making it the most popular destination in Morocco.
Rabat – Provincial authorities in Morocco’s southern Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region closed the port of Laayoune on Saturday to avoid a “second wave” of COVID-19 .
As of August 8, the port is closed until further notice.
In a statement, authorities informed sailors and owners of fishing boats of the decision to close the port due to the epidemiological situation in the city. With COVID-19 continuing to spread, the threat of a second wave of infections is high.
Morocco’s COVID-19 cases significantly increased in recent weeks, bringing the total number of infections to 32,007.
The number of deaths reached 480 as of August 8, while recoveries have reached 22,190.
Morocco has recently recorded over 1,000 new cases per day and over 10 fatalities.
The Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra region has recorded 874 cases since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Morocco in March.
The regions with the highest case counts are Casablanca-Settat (8,338), Tangier-Tetouan Al Hoceima (7,304), Fez-Meknes (5,188), Marrakech-Safi (4,859), and Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (3,069).
The Ministry of Health and Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani have warned that the situation in the country is “worrying.”
“The spread of COVID-19 is going so fast,” Minister of Health Khalid Ait Taleb said on July 27.
“We cannot take risk and give a deadline, the pandemic does not give a deadline. One day will be a risk,” Ait Taleb said.
The Ministry of Health called the week from July 27 to August 2 the “worst” since the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in Morocco. During this period, 69 COVID-19 patients died and the number of patients in critical care increased.
On August 6, El Othmani said the recent developments in the spread of COVID-19 in Morocco require heightened caution and vigilance.
Moroccans must act seriously and take all necessary measures to keep the “worrying” situation from worsening further, El Othmani stressed.
“Responsibility is individual and collective […] everyone must contribute positively to the fight against this pandemic, by adhering to preventive measures and adopting [cautious] behavior,” he said.
While Laayoune has been enjoying a surge in domestic tourism since local flights resumed on June 25, the current COVID-19 situation requires local authorities to take preventive measures against a second wave of infections.
Rabat – Lebanon’s Ambassador to Morocco, Ziad Atallah, said on Saturday that the humanitarian and medical aid Morocco sent to Lebanon reflects the depth of the historical relations between the two countries and their people.
Celebrating the friendship between Morocco and Lebanon, Atallah said King Mohammed VI’s royal initiative had a “great impact on the hearts of the Lebanese, and it came at the right time.”
He expressed admiration for the speed with which Morocco responded to Lebanon’s distress call by providing tools, medicines, medical supplies, and other aid.
Morocco announced on August 6 the decision to send eight flights loaded with medical aid to Lebanon after the devastating Beirut explosion on August 4. Morocco also sent food aid with the air fleet.
The shipment includes 295 tons of basic foodstuffs, 10 tons of medical equipment, and 11 tons of special equipment for the COVID-19 response.
The announcement came after King Mohammed VI gave urgent instructions to the Moroccan government to assist Lebanon after the Beirut explosion.
Atallah said Lebanon received Morocco’s aid with “welcome and appreciation for this generous historical gesture that will remain firmly rooted in the conscience and history of every Lebanese.”
The diplomat’s statement echoes the remarks made by Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Al Mawla Safir.
On August 7, the Lebanese FM expressed his “deep gratitude and esteem” for the generous aid Morocco sent to assist the country after the tragedy in Beirut.
Safir thanked King Mohammed VI for expediting the humanitarian initiative.
Morocco also sent equipment to set up a military field hospital to help victims of the Beirut explosion.
The hospital consists of 100 staff members, including 14 doctors.
Rabat – Morocco’s Ittihad Tanger football club announced on Sunday that 23 players and staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.
“The club announces with great regret that the results of the coronavirus screening tests to which all the components of the team were subjected on Saturday morning revealed 23 cases of contamination,” the management of the club wrote on Facebook.
The list of infections includes 16 players, two members of the training staff, one member of the medical staff, three members of the club management, and one member in charge of equipment.
The team carried out screening tests after several staff members and players showed symptoms of COVID-19, despite the “many preventive measures put in place as well as full compliance with the health protocol.”
Ittihad Tanger was expected to play against Renaissance of Berkane on Tuesday, coming in 15th position in the Botola Pro (professional Moroccan football league) with 15 points after 20 matches.
The club’s announcement comes a few days after Moghreb Athletic de Tetouan announced that two of its players tested positive for COVID-19.
Tanger and Tetouan are among the major cities in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region reporting the highest number of COVID-19 cases.
The region has reported a total of 7,304 COVID-19 cases to date.
Nationwide, the number of COVID-19 cases reached 32,007 since the pandemic reached Morocco in March.
The number of active cases currently stands at 9,337.
As of August 8, COVID-19-related deaths in Morocco have reached 480 while recoveries total 22,190.
Rabat – A coast guard vessel of Morocco’s Royal Navy on a maritime patrol mission arrested three drug traffickers on August 8 near the Caves of Hercules in Tangier.
A military source told Morocco’s state media that the coast guard seized 1,200 kilograms or 1.3 tons of cannabis during the operation.
The navy handed the seized cannabis to the Royal Gendarmerie of Tangier to open an investigation to determine the circumstances of the case.
The operation is part of Morocco’s approach to combat drug trafficking throughout Morocco and beyond its borders.
The seizure comes a few days after Moroccan police arrested three suspects for their alleged involvement in international drug trafficking.
During an operation on August 7, police seized 5.2 tons of cannabis resin.
In 2019, police seized a total of 179,657 tons of cannabis and derivatives, while Moroccan customs services seized an additional 119 tons of the same drugs last year.
Rabat – Moroccan-Dutch writer Naima El Bezaz has committed suicide, several Dutch news outlets reported on Saturday.
Hart Vannederland and NOS reported on August 8 that El Bezaz died at 46, leaving behind a renowned short story collection.
Moroccan-Dutch writer and journalist Abdelkader Benali tweeted about the death of his friend.
“She immediately impressed me .. she told me what I had to do as a writer to succeed,” he wrote.
De schrijver Naima el Bezaz is overleden. We debuteerden midden jaren negentig, zij met de roman De weg naar het noorden. Ze maakte meteen indruk op me. Intelligent en gevat. Ze vertelde me wat ik moest doen als schrijver om te slagen. Ik zal ons optreden op de Caïro boekennieuws
The writer began her career at age 21, making her debut in 1995 with the novel “Road to the North.” The story is about a young unemployed Moroccan who hopes for a better life in Europe.
The passionate author is also known for her collection “Vinexvrouwen” and authored the novel “The Vinex Women” in 2010.
Her last novel, “Serving the Devil,” was released in 2013.
In 2012, the writer said her work is “too direct” for the public, examining taboo topics such as sex and drugs, as well as religion.
“I’m a barrel full of prejudices. My mouth is too big and I’m too direct,” Naima El Bezaz said during an interview with Dutch news outlet NRC in 2012.
According to Hart Vannederland, El Bezaz opened up about her struggles with depression in several interviews.
After publishing a book on religion in 2006, the Moroccan-Dutch writer allegedly received numerous death threats. She said it temporarily forced her to stop writing and sever some of her relationships, local news outlet Al Aoual reported.
One of her neighbors allegedly thought the novel was targeting him and retaliated by attacking her home with a Molotov cocktail, according to the same source.
A target of vicious hatred for several years, she sought out therapy as she struggled to cope with the threats to her life. But the controversy surrounding the fruits of her passion for literature tragically took an irreversible toll on her mental health.
Naima El Bezaz is survived by her husband and her two daughters and immortalized through her art.
Moroccan featherweight MMA fighter Youssef Zalal is continuing to make his country proud, overpowering Peter Barrett for three rounds at UFC Vegas 6 on Saturday.
The 23-year-old Casablanca native boasts a 10-2 record and four wins in his current streak.
The August 8 fight was the “Moroccan Devil’s” third Octagon appearance and his American opponent’s first.
The first round began with a spinning kick from Zalal, followed by a series of punches that knocked Barrett down, according to Dan Doherty, an MMA commentator with sports outlet Cage Side Press.
While “the speed of Zalal was evident,” Doherty reported that Barrett managed to land a head kick before the first round ended.
Zalal dominated “Slippery Pete” again in the second round, but was not able to end the fight with Barrett subdued, according to the same source.
The third round ended with Zalal emerging victorious.
Doherty reported that “Zalal hit a single-leg takedown. Barrett tried to spin off his back, but nearly gave up his back and conceded mount. Barrett eventually gave up his back and Zalal went for another rear-naked choke. Barrett stood up, bucked him off, then ate a few upkicks as time expired.”
Barrett was the last of Dana White’s Contender Series winners from 2019 to make his debut inside the Octagon, according to the same source. He was initially meant to face off against Scottish MMA fighter Danny Henry in April 2020, but the fight did not occur as planned.
Barrett was scheduled to fight fellow American featherweight Steve Garcia this weekend but instead faced “the always dangerous” Youssef Zalal.
Saturday’s victory adds another win to Zalal’s record, allowing him to maintain his current streak.
The fighter told Morocco World News in July that being in the UFC “means a lot” to him. He explained that it gives him the opportunity “to show young athletes back in Morocco that they too can make it in the UFC too, that this is possible and it is not just a dream.”
Youssef Zalal has a promising future with the UFC and is a source of pride for his home country Morocco.
“My future goal is to be the best fighter I can be and hopefully one day become a champion.”
Rabat – A notice to airlines circulating among local media outlets reiterates that Morocco’s borders are closed until further notice and that all flights to and from Morocco remain suspended.
Only over flights, cargo flights, and exceptional flights for Moroccan citizens, legal residents, and their families are operational.
Stop-overs remain shortened and all crew members must stay on board the aircraft while in Moroccan territory.
“Repatriation of foreigners is ensured by their governments with the condition of having authorization via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of [the] Kingdom of Morocco,” the notice added.
Since July 15, Morocco has operated special flights to return Moroccan citizens and residents stranded abroad. The exceptional flights also serve to allow members of the Moroccan diaspora to travel to their countries of residence. Foreigners in Morocco are able to leave through the exceptional flights.
Morocco’s Overseas Security Advisor Service (OSAC) reiterated the same notice when Morocco approved a decree to extend the state of emergency until September 10.
“The only flights in/out of Morocco are special operation flights taking place on Royal Air Maroc (RAM), Air France, and Air Arabia. Currently there is no confirmation of how long the special operation flights will continue to operate. U.S. citizens wishing to return to the United States should book directly with RAM,” OSAC said.
If the state of emergency lifts according to the current schedule, this does not mean Moroccan borders will reopen to non-citizens and non-residents.
Morocco has been in a state of emergency since March 20 but suspended all international flights to and from the country on March 15.
The decision was part of the country’s proactive approach to contain the spread of COVID-19, and remains in place to date for the same reason.
Morocco has recorded over 33,237 cases of COVID-19 as of August 9.
The number of cases increased notably in recent weeks, with daily infections often exceeding 1,000. The death toll has hit 498, with the health ministry reporting more than a dozen new fatalities related to COVID-19 for several days in a row.
Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Health has announced that 1,230 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. Total confirmed cases stand at 33,237 as of Sunday, August 9.
Since August 4, Morocco has recorded more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases every day.
The health ministry also announced that 18 additional patients have died since Saturday, bringing the death toll to 498.
Since August 1, the health ministry has reported at least a dozen deaths related to the pandemic per day.
Meanwhile, 1,157 new patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, increasing Morocco’s total recoveries to 23,347.
Laboratories throughout the country carried out 21,103 tests for COVID-19 between Saturday and Sunday. In total, Morocco has excluded 1,416,731 potential cases of the virus since March.
Currently, 9,393 patients are undergoing treatment for COVID-19.
COVID-19 cases in Morocco by region
Casablanca-Settat saw the highest increase in cases today, reporting 411 new infections. Marrakech-Safi follows with 335 new cases. Fez-Meknes reported 171 and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima counted 144.
Rabat-Sale-Kentira (+71), Draa-Tafilalet (+55), Beni Mellal-Khenifra (+27), Souss-Massa (+6), Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab (+5), the Oriental (+4), and Guelmim-Oued Noun (+1) also reported new COVID-19 cases today.
Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra has not reported any new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours.
The Casablanca-Settat region maintains its leading position with 8,751 total confirmed cases of COVID-19, followed by Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima (7,448), Fez-Meknes (5,358), Marrakech-Safi (5,192), and Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (3,138).
Draa-Tafilalet (934 cases), Laayoune-Sakia-El Hamra (874), the Oriental (582), and Beni Mellal-Khenifra (482) also have significant COVID-19 case counts.
The Moroccan regions with the lowest infection rates are Souss-Massa (193 cases), Guelmim-Oued Noun (170), and Dakhla-Oued Ed Dahab (116).
COVID-19 in Laayoune
Fearing a second wave of COVID-19 infections, provincial authorities in Laayoune closed the port of the southern Moroccan city on August 8.
At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in Morocco, Laayoune-Sakia-El Hamra saw only a handful of cases. Laayoune was also one of the Moroccan cities to benefit from an increase in domestic tourism when local flights resumed on June 25.
Now, the southern Moroccan city is taking strict measures to keep cases from increasing further. With the region recording no new cases today, local authorities may be hopeful that they will be able to keep the COVID-19 situation under control.
