Almost two years after the suicide in March 2012 of a Moroccan teenager who had been forced to marry her rapist, Moroccan MPs unanimously passed earlier this week an amendment to the penal code that is hailed by NGOs, civil society activists and women’s rights advocates as a major breakthrough. The amendment that was long […]
Culture
Tunisian Jews on a pilgrimage
Tunisian Jews and others from around the world are getting ready for the pilgrimage, beginning on Friday, to the El Ghriba Synagogue for their annual festivities, to celebrate the end of Passover. The synagogue is on the island of Djerba and it’s considered to be the oldest in Africa. The pilgrimage to the island has […]
2013 World Nomads Festival to Honor Tunisia’s Rich Arts, Culture
The fifth edition of the World Nomads Festival, to be held in New York next May, will honor Tunisia and its rich arts and culture just two years after the North African country ignited the Arab Spring flame. The event, organized by the French cultural Center in New York, French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), is […]
Art Dubai, or the New Reference Showcase
As the Dubai temperature was rising, the impatience of art enthusiasts could not be restrained. Festivities finally started on Tuesday March 19, with the Jumerah Patrons’ Preview. Art Dubai was launched. A champagne glass in hand, clichés were forgotten… The time of an exhibition. In partnership with Abraaj Group, the seventh edition of Art Dubai […]
Libya: 15th century Sufi shrine bombed
The North African region has been experiencing attacks on Sufi tombs and shrines with the Salafists suspected of carrying them out. The latest site to be bombed is the shrine of Sidi Mohammed Landulsi, a 15th century Sufi theologian. The shrine which is located in the eastern suburb of Tajura was destroyed with a triple […]
Morocco: New Move to Rehabilitate Historic Monuments in Fes
Morocco, which is determined to preserve the historic monuments and buildings in the ancient city of Fes, has launched this week a new program providing for the rehabilitation of some 27 monuments, including five medersas (residential colleges for Islamic scholars), four Borjs (tours) three Foundouks (hostels), three tanning factories, two walls, two bridges and eight […]
Golden Age of Morocco’s Jewish Community will never Die
A synagogue has been refurbished and inaugurated by a Head of a government. This is no news, if the event is taking place somewhere in Europe, the Americas or inside Israel. But when the synagogue is located inside the walls of the spiritual capital of an Islamic State, when it is dedicated, after having been […]
Egypt: one more cultural heritage of Ramses era discovered
Archaeologists in Egypt have made a great discovery. They have discovered the pyramid of one of the most influential person during the era of the pharaohs. According to the minister for antiquities, Mohammed Ibrahim, a pyramid dating back to more than 3,000 years which was built for an advisor to King Ramses II has been […]
Mauritania: Festival des villes anciennes gets final prepations
Preparations are in high gear for the 3rd edition of the ‘festival des villes anciennes’ which will begin on the 24th of this month in the isolated historic town of Tichit. The final touches are being made by the organizing committee and the president of the committee Sidi Ali Ould Sidi Ali said they have […]
ALECSO Declares Algeria’s Constantine Arab Cultural Capital
The 21st General conference of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific organization has come to an end in Tunis. The meeting between the members of the organization ended with resolutions being put forward in areas deemed necessary. Among its final recommendations figured the necessity to uplift the educational system in member countries especially in […]









