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Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
Morocco Uncovers 20 Shipwrecks that Rewrite its Maritime History
A new chapter in Moroccan heritage is surfacing from the depths. The National Center for Studies and Research in Underwater Cultural Heritage has announced the discovery of 20 historic shipwrecks resting beneath the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Long believed to be lost, these vessels now stand as evidence of Morocco's overlooked maritime history. The ships were located in several coastal regions, including El Jadida and parts of northern Morocco. According to Azeddine Kara, director of the Center, they served a range of purposes. Some were warships, others merchant vessels, and most date back to the 19th and 20th centuries. While some sank when navigating major sea routes, others were lost while anchored near Moroccan ports. 'These discoveries help us reconnect with a part of our history that remained hidden under the water for generations,' Kara explained to SNRTNews. 'They reflect the diversity of maritime activity that shaped our coastline across time.' The announcement places new focus on underwater cultural heritage, which includes not only shipwrecks but also submerged human and animal remains, artifacts, and historical structures that have remained beneath national waters. Such heritage bears cultural, historical, and archaeological significance and contributes to a broader understanding of Morocco's role in maritime exchanges. This wave of discoveries comes at a moment of legislative change. A new national law on heritage protection has been approved. For the first time, the legal framework dedicates specific measures to the protection of submerged heritage. The government's approach also recognizes the importance of Morocco's geography. With vast coastlines along the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, the country has long occupied a strategic position at the intersection of civilizations and trade routes. Its waters have seen the passage of empires, navies, merchants, and explorers. Now, remnants of that past are being brought to light. To lead this effort, the Ministry of Youth created the National Center for Studies and Research in Underwater Cultural Heritage. The center conducts research, carries out excavations, and develops plans to share future findings with the public. Tags: archeologyMoroccoshipsshipwrecks
Morocco World
07-07-2025
- Morocco World
12 People Arrested in Sale After Ashura Night Violence
Rabat – Police in the Moroccan city of Sale arrested 12 people, including minors, after violence broke out during Ashura celebrations on Saturday night. Videos shared online showed groups of teenagers and young men set fire to tires and trash bins in several neighborhoods. When police and auxiliary forces tried to stop the chaos, they were attacked with stones. Footage showed these individuals throwing rocks at security officers and setting fires in the streets. The adult suspects have been placed in police custody, while the minors are under supervision, pending a judicial investigation led by the public prosecutor, SNRT News reported. Police had already carried out preventive operations before and during the night of Ashura. These efforts led to the seizure of tires and other items used to start fires, added the report. Ashura is a religious day observed on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. On this day, Sunni Muslims commemorate the day that God saved Moses and the Israelites from Egypt by parting the Red Sea. For Shia Muslims, it is an important day of mourning, honoring the martyr Imam Hussein. The day has both spiritual and cultural significance in Morocco. For many Moroccans, especially children, Ashura is a joyful occasion during which they buy toys, drums, masks, and sweets. It's common for children to play with water, sometimes splashing each other in the streets in a game called 'Zamzam' after the holy Zamzam water. Families often cook special dishes and donate to the poor. However, in some cities, particularly in 'chaabi' (popular) neighborhoods, the celebrations can turn dangerous. Young people light bonfires in the streets using tires and garbage. These gatherings sometimes escalate into clashes with police, rock-throwing, and property damage. In recent years, authorities have tried to limit these actions with increased patrols and bans on selling tires or fireworks around the time of Ashura. Tags: arrestAshuraMoroccoSalé
Morocco World
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Morocco World
Ex‑Raja Casablanca President Mohamed Boudrika Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
Rabat – A court in Casablanca sentenced former Raja Club Athletic president and parliamentarian, Mohamed Boudrika, to five years in prison today, SNRT News reported. The Casablanca Criminal Court also ordered Boudrika to pay MAD 664,000 in damages to the victims and barred him from issuing cheques for one year. Boudrika was found guilty of fraud, forgery, and issuing cheques without sufficient funds. Throughout the trial, he denied all charges, claiming that the investigating judge had relied only on the complainant's statements and had not presented hard evidence, according to reports. During the final hearing, Boudrika strongly defended himself and insisted there was no proof of wrongdoing aside from verbal allegations. In July 2024, Boudrika was arrested in Germany under an international warrant and later extradited to Morocco in April 2025, following approval from German authorities. He faced a one-year suspended prison sentence and a fine of MAD 232,500 in March 2024, following a case against him in absentia for issuing bad cheques. He has been held in pretrial detention at Oukacha prison in Casablanca since April 25, 2025. Charges include issuing bad cheques, fraud, forgery, and using administrative documents illegally. Born in Casablanca, Boudrika became Raja's president twice, first in 2012-2016, then re-elected in May 2023. Under his leadership, the club won domestic titles and reached the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2013, defeating international heavyweights. He was also a member of the Moroccan parliament for the RNI party and served as head of the Mers Sultan district council. His business ventures include real estate. He briefly left office following a building collapse in 2016 and controversy over selling overpriced World Cup tickets in 2022. After Morocco reached the semifinals, controversy erupted around the allocation of free tickets meant for Moroccan fans. Instead of being distributed fairly, many tickets allegedly made their way into the hands of private individuals and were resold at inflated prices. Boudrika, then a member of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), was accused of distributing large numbers of tickets to his associates, party members, and close relatives.
Morocco World
05-06-2025
- General
- Morocco World
Schools Across Morocco Urged to Continue Classes After Eid Al Adha Holidays
Rabat – Teachers, parents, and students across Morocco have received instructions from regional education authorities to continue classes after the Eid Al Adha holidays. These directives were sent by the Regional Academies of Education and Training, following the national schedule set by the Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, SNRT News reported. The academy of the Casablanca-Settat region issued a statement urging parents and guardians to ensure that students return to school and continue attending classes regularly until the end of the school year, as outlined by the Ministry. The academy explained that this decision supports the goals of the 2022-2026 Roadmap for Education Reform, especially the action plans for 2024 and 2025, which aim to build a quality school system for all. Classes will continue according to the updated school calendar for 2024-2025. The official memo said that students must attend school until all lessons are completed. Any unjustified absence before the official end of classes will be considered a violation of school rules. The academy also called on teachers, parents, and all education partners to stay engaged and help make this final phase of the school year successful for students. Continuous assessment tests in primary schools will take place from June 9 to 14, while the national exam for sixth-grade students is scheduled for June 23 and 24. Middle school students are set to take exams between June 9 and 14, with the regional exam for ninth-grade students set for June 17 and 18. Classes for middle school students will continue until June 28. First-year and second-year high school student will take their continuous assessment exams from June 16 to 21, with classes also running through to June 28. Tags: EducationEid Al AdhaMoroccoSchools
Morocco World
04-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Poultry Prices Go Up Ahead of Eid Al Adha
Rabat – Moroccan markets have witnessed a notable increase in poultry produce just days ahead of Eid Al Adha, which will take place on June 7 in Morocco. Moroccan state-owned news provider SNRTNews reported today that prices of poultry in Casablanca markets reached MAD 23 per kilogram compared to MAD 17. Experts suggest that the notable change is due to the cancellation of the Eid al-Adha sacrifice ritual, which prompted a significant demand for poultry. In February, King Mohammed VI announced the cancellation of the sacrifice ritual, citing socio-economic challenges including drought. The climate challenges affected the livestock population, which saw a remarkable decrease. In response, the King stressed that the feast celebration could be enjoyed through performing Eid prayers and enjoying its spiritual significance, in addition to family visits and the atmosphere. Moroccans have in recent weeks taken to social media to comment on the high demand for meat products ahead of Eid Al Adha. This came as many Muslims are expected to enjoy the feast's culinary delicacies despite the absence of the sacrifice ritual. Some, however, have turned to buying fish and poultry products, as they fear that shops will be closed for weeks. Butchers traditionally close for several weeks during Eid Al Adha, knowing that most families have already secured more than enough meat through the sacrifice of goats or sheep. Butchers and markets selling poultry products have urged citizens to stock up on poultry provisions, warning against a similar scenario. Mohamed Aboud, president of the National Association of chicken farmers, told SNRTnews that the cancellation of the sacrifice ritual led many citizens to turn more heavily to poultry meat. He stressed that during Eid al-Adha, markets see a drop in demand for poultry initially. There is an exception this year, however, he said, noting that retail chicken prices now range between MAD 21 and 23 instead of their initial prices set at MAD 17. Mustapha Mountassir, president of the National Association of Poultry Meat Producers, echoed the same statement to the same source, noting that the price rise is due to demand outpacing supply. Tags: eid al adha 2025Moroccan poultry farms
