Latest news with #Casablanca-based
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Official: Raja Athletic Club Signs Khalid Alaoui
Raja Athletic Club officially announced today the signing of Khalid Akber Alaoui, the ex-goalkeeper of the Olympic of Safi. Khalid lands at the Casablanca-based team on a three-year contract as part of the team's strategy to reinforce their goalkeeping position. 'This signing aligns harmoniously with the management board's strategy and aims to strengthen the first team with promising and competent players capable of making an impact and contributing to the club's objectives,' the club said in a statement today. 'We welcome goalkeeper Khalid Akbiri to his new home and wish him a successful career filled with dedication and achievements with Raja Club Athletic.' Alaoui played a pivotal role in Olympique Safi's winning the Moroccan Throne Cup title last year. He made over 26 league appearances last season, playing a total of 2,340 minutes and keeping 10 clean sheets. The goalkeeper started his professional journey at MAS Fez, after moving to Raja Beni Mellal on loan from MAS. He transferred to Chabab Soualem before aligning with Olympic of Safi in July 2022. Tags: Morocco's Raja Club
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad to Face Qatari Club Al Sadd in Friendly
Wydad AC will take on Qatari champions Al Sadd in a pre-season friendly for the 'Al Ahrar Cup.' The match is scheduled for Sunday, August 10, at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Al Sadd confirmed the fixture as part of their summer programme, returning from their training camp in Spain on August 4. This will be Wydad's first outing since the 2025 Club World Cup, as the Casablanca-based side continue preparations for next season, including a campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup. Wydad finished third in the 2024-25 Botola Pro 1. Al Sadd is Qatar's most decorated club, boasting over 50 official titles, including league championships, Emir Cups, and continental trophies. The club attracted worldwide attention under former Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández, who coached the team until late 2024.
Morocco World
7 days ago
- Morocco World
Canadian Court Finds Hicham Jerando Guilty of Aggravated Defamation
Rabat – Quebec's Superior Court delivered a verdict, finding Moroccan YouTuber Hicham Jerando guilty of aggravated defamation against Casablanca-based lawyer Abdel Said Lamtiri. Converging reports said Horia Bundaru, a judge at the Superior Court of Quebec, ruled in favor of the lawyer, following a complaint he filed against Jerando. A court verdict earlier this week found Jerando involved in aggravated defamation for having posted a series of offensive and false videos on his YouTube channel, Le360 reported. The court's verdict includes a fine of C$164,514 in moral, financial, and punitive damages. The court also asked Jerando to cease all defamatory publications against the lawyer, with the ruling enforceable even in the event of an appeal. Jerando, who currently lives in Canada, also faced a lawsuit, based on which he received a prison and fine sentence in Morocco. A court in Rabat sentenced him in May to 15 years in prison in absentia. He was convicted on charges related to terrorism, cybercrime, and inciting violence. He is accused of creating a terrorist group aimed at seriously disturbing public order through online campaigns involving threats and manipulation on social media. The same month witnessed more prison sentences against three family members of Jerando. The verdict included a suspended two-month prison sentence and a fine against Jerando's sister, as well as two years in prison and a fine against her husband. Jerando's nephew received a three-year prison sentence, while four other suspects alleged to be involved in the case were also convicted. Two of them received three-year prison sentences, while the third suspect received two years. The fourth defendant was handed a one-year prison sentence and a fine.
Morocco World
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Wydad Signs Congolese Midfielder Joseph Bakasu
Wydad Athletic Club have signed Congolese midfielder Joseph Bakasu on a four-year deal coming from Maniema Union. The 21-year-old will join the Casablanca-based club as a free agent following the expiry of his contract with the Congolese club. According to AfricaFoot, the deal is worth around €650,000. Bakasu has already arrived in Casablanca to undergo the medical tests and finalize the signing. The club is expected to officially confirm the transfer within hours. The midfielder made 10 appearances in the CAF Champions League this season, scoring once against Raja Athletic Club. He is expected to join Wydad's pre-season training camp in the coming days. Bakasu becomes the latest addition to Wydad's squad during a busy transfer window, joining Stéphane Aziz Ki, Nordin Amrabat, Hamza El Hanouri and Bart Meijers. With such deals Wydad is eager to recover their form for the upcoming events including CAF Confederation Cup. Tags: Bakasubotola prowydad
Ya Biladi
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Jazzablanca opens in style with Seal, Hindi Zahra, and village buzz
Jazzablanca, the standout event of summers in Casablanca, has returned. Now in its 18th edition, the festival spans, for the first time in its history, ten days with two spectacular music weekends. The first weekend kicked off a bit early in Casablanca, with Thursday, July 3, launching the festivities at the Jazzablanca Village. Friends, families with little kids, young and older couples, and even colleagues flocked to the village as early as 6 PM. In addition to this year's spectacular lineup, many came to fully experience what the village has to offer. Right after passing through the festival gates, one can spot entertainment everywhere: a food court serving delicacies to suit all tastes and cravings, a pop-up market for local designers, gaming stands, and multiple chill zones with seating and beanbags on the grass, perfect for taking a break between concerts. A crowd drawn by music, food, and connection Speaking to attendees, this is what makes the festival special, alongside the music, of course. «It's about the great vibes», says a young Casablanca-based festivalgoer. «It's my fourth time attending Jazzablanca, I'm a regular», she told Yabiladi while roaming the gaming and food court zones. «It's always good to see a lot of people, talk with so many fellow attendees, have good food, good conversations», she added. As for the lineup, she said she was «especially excited to see Seu Jorge», the Brazilian singer-songwriter and actor expected to perform this Friday. Other attendees came all the way from South Africa, for the love of jazz, and jazz in Morocco. «I had been researching jazz festivals around the world, but since Ibrahim Maalouf was playing here, we chose Jazzablanca. Plus, we've both always wanted to visit Morocco», said two South African sisters among the festivalgoers. Their trip was also a birthday gift. «I brought my sister for her 50th birthday. We both love jazz, it's a big part of life in South Africa, where we're from», one of them shared. Others were drawn by the artists they grew up listening to, and the chance to reconnect with old friends. «For our generation, the highlight is the Black Eyed Peas», said a young couple already lined up in front of the Village's big Scene, ahead of Moroccan star Hindi Zahra's show. In addition to the music, «The atmosphere is really nice, super well organized», they noted. «There's a village vibe : we reconnect, meet old acquaintances and friends. It's really lovely, we enjoy it a lot», they said, big smiles lighting up their faces. Where music meets makers For those who are also in the mood for a little shopping, the creators' market at the heart of the Jazzablanca Festival Village offers a vibrant showcase of Moroccan brands and entrepreneurs. Among them are best friends Yousra and Houria, co-founders of the HaïHaïVintage label from Marrakech. «Our brand is really a story of friendship, we've known each other for 20 years, we love vintage, and that's how it all began», says Yousra. Selling curated vintage pieces mainly online, this is their first time at the festival. «We came because we love music, and this gives us a chance to connect with a slightly different audience than the one we usually meet at pop-ups». Also present is Be the Artisan, a start-up blending heritage and innovation. «Our brand offers artisanal kits that promote Moroccan heritage and craftsmanship», explains founder Zakaria Loulidy. «Each kit is a semi-finished piece finalized by a craftsman, then completed by the buyer following a guide from a master artisan». And of course, no festival is complete without daring fashion and bold accessories, something Kenza Alaoui, founder of Kenza Klay, knows well. She brings her hand-sculpted clay earrings, necklaces, bracelets and charms to Jazzablanca. «This is my third time at Jazzablanca. I've done the creators' market before, but this year we're in a new space, and I love it», she told Yabiladi. «Jazzablanca is perfect for me, it's exactly my clientele. People who come here love jewelry that's bold and a little out of the ordinary. It's one of my best-selling events in Morocco». Hindi Zahra and Seal light up the opening night While many enjoyed shopping, gaming and food, Cuban jazz was filling the air, echoing through the village and into the ears of the buzzing crowd. El Comité, a Cuban-formed Latin jazz ensemble made up of top musicians from Cuba's jazz scene, had the crowd moving at Scene 21 with a high-energy mix of Afrobeat, funk, montuno, bolero, traditional jazz, and even Gnaoua fusion with Maâlem Khalid Sansi. It was just the warm-up to what was next on the main stage, Scene Casablanca Anfa. First on the lineup was the one and only Hindi Zahra, the Moroccan singer-songwriter known for blending Amazigh sounds with jazz, singing in Tamazight, English, and Darija. At 9 PM, the show began. Zahra graced the crowd with newer and older songs, opening with Gnaoua-inspired rhythms before launching into her classics. The crowd sang along to «Imik Si Mik», a romantic blend of Tachelhit and English, and danced to «Beautiful Tango», with a real couple performing tango on stage in a touching tribute to her loyal fans. There were piano solos, reggada-inspired dances, and plenty of emotion from Zahra. «You are my beautiful strangers. I missed you so, and I love you so», she told her audience before ending with a powerful rendition of «Stand Up», infused with an oriental touch that got the crowd on their feet. After a brief break to recharge, it was time for the long-awaited headliner, Seal. He launched the show with «All I Know Is Now», before switching to French: «Comment ça va tout le monde?» The crowd roared, chanting his name: «Seal! Seal! Seal!» He treated them to both new material and timeless hits. «It's been ten years since I came to Morocco», he shared between songs. «Not to perform, just to stay in this beautiful place in Casablanca». He recalled landing and being offered tea: «It wasn't just about the tea. It was about how it was presented, the warmth». The audience cheered. Then came the hits: «Kiss from a Rose» (1994), and «Bring It On», with an acoustic guitar session in the middle. Seal ended his show in spectacular fashion, with white confetti raining down on the crowd, a festive goodbye and the perfect wrap-up to Jazzablanca's opening day.
