covid 19

Ahead of Moroccan Sept elections, Religious authorities shield mosques from political influence

Morocco’s Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq has instructed imams, prayer leaders and muezzins to abstain from political activity ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for Sept. 23, 2026, according to a ministry circular reported by local media. The directive was sent to staff at the ministry’s central, regional and provincial offices and serves as a […]

Moroccans to spend Eid El Fitr at home because of Covid-19

After an exceptional Ramadan with closed mosques and social distancing measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak, Moroccans will have to stay in their homes during Eid El Fitr and avoid family visits after the country extended the confinement it has started in March 20 until June 10. This means no collective Eid prayers this year […]

Algeria: Foreign Exchange Reserves to Fall to $116bln by End of 2016

The fall in oil prices has taken a toll on Algeria’s foreign exchange reserves, which are expected to decline to $116 billion, Algria’s Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal said. At a context of a long-term slump in oil prices, the Algerian government is planning further cuts to curb spending over the next few years after the […]