Latest news with #MoroccoWorldNews
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Azerbaijan Says Support Morocco's Sovereignty Over Western Sahara is Matter of Principle, Not Diplomatic Favor
In a climate of growing instability across the globe, Morocco and Azerbaijan have taken deliberate steps to reinforce their partnership. During a visit by Moroccan journalists to Baku, Azerbaijani Presidential Advisor and Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev, reaffirmed his country's steadfast support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. Hajiyev also described the two countries as bound by mutual respect, shared values, and historical parallels. A partnership rooted in principle Speaking to the visiting Moroccan media delegation, which Morocco World News (MWN) was part of, Hajiyev described Morocco as a 'brotherly country' and commended the strength of bilateral ties. 'We have excellent relations across all sectors. The only issue is the geographic distance,' he said. For Azerbaijan, he added, Islamic solidarity and cooperation with Arab countries remain core pillars of foreign policy. 'We share many similarities with Morocco,' he noted, describing the North African country as a key partner in both the Arab and Islamic worlds. Hajiyev recalled the early roots of the diplomatic relationship, pointing to a historic meeting between Azerbaijan's former leader, Heydar Aliyev, and Morocco's King Hassan II during a summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Casablanca. 'That visit laid the foundation of our ties, not only with Morocco but also with the Arab and Muslim world,' he said. A shared struggle for recognized sovereignty In response to a direct question about Azerbaijan's stance on Western Sahara, Hajiyev offered a firm response: 'We have always supported Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' He drew a connection between Morocco's position in the Western Sahara and Azerbaijan's own experience with Armenia. 'When we gained independence, Armenia occupied 20% of our territory, including Karabakh,' he said. 'We trusted international law, waited for thirty years, and upheld the UN resolutions. But in the end, we had to act to restore our sovereignty.' After retaking full control of Karabakh in 2023, Azerbaijan, Hajiyev explained, gained clarity on what it means to have sovereignty denied. 'Because we suffered the consequences of occupation, we place enormous value on the territorial integrity of other states. Our position on Morocco's territorial integrity is not diplomatic courtesy, it is a question of principle.' Building on cultural affinity The Moroccan delegation's visit to the National Museum of Literature in Baku included a special exhibition on Azerbaijani journalism, which provided a window into the country's intellectual history. But for Hajiyev, the cultural bond goes far beyond exhibitions. He described a visit by a Moroccan royal who was surprised by the resemblance between traditional Moroccan and Azerbaijani designs. 'He noticed that our ornaments and patterns mirror Moroccan motifs,' Hajiyev said. 'It showed that our cultures have long been in quiet conversation, even without knowing it.' He also pointed to Morocco's hosting of ISESCO, the Islamic world's educational and cultural institution, as a symbol of its standing. 'Morocco is one of the cultural centers of the Muslim world, and we give that special importance,' he said. Azerbaijan, he added, plans to promote further exchanges in heritage, language, and the arts. 'We must make the cultures of both countries better known to each other,' he said. 'Your cuisine, your clothing, your traditions are already familiar here. We want to take this further.' Religious tolerance, intercultural dialogue Hajiyev emphasized the value of tolerance that the two countries share.'In Morocco, Christians, Jews, and Muslims live together in peace. We see the same reality in Azerbaijan,' he said. This, he argued, gives both countries the credibility to speak globally on matters of coexistence. 'There's not only a need for dialogue between civilizations. There's a need for dialogue within them. The divisions in the Muslim world today are growing,' he said. 'Together, we can help change that.' Economic and tourism potential While acknowledging the solid foundation of political cooperation, Hajiyev described economic ties between the two countries as underdeveloped. 'There's great potential for growth in trade, investment, and tourism,' he said. 'Morocco is known internationally as a tourism hub. Azerbaijanis are increasingly drawn to it.' He noted a rising interest in Azerbaijan among Moroccan citizens, reflected in online conversations and social media engagement. 'But awareness is still low,' he admitted. 'That's why visits like yours are essential. You help inform people about what's possible.' Hajiyev recounted his visit to Morocco over a decade ago. 'Friends tell me the country has changed a lot since then. I look forward to seeing that with my own eyes,' he said. Regional stability amid global turbulence Despite the current international turmoil, from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to tensions between Iran and Israel, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan remains a zone of stability. 'The conflict with Armenia is over. We control our territory, and we live in peace thanks to the wisdom of our leaders,' he said. 'We understand instability. It's all around us. But we also believe in sovereignty, in diplomacy, and cooperation.' This belief, he concluded, drives Azerbaijan's position on Western Sahara, and why it stands as a beacon of support for Rabat's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. 'We know what it means to have your land taken. That's why we defend Morocco's right to its territory, clearly, without hesitation, and condition.' Tags: azerbaijanbilateral tiesMoroccoWestern sahara
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Morocco World
FNAP 2025: A Second Night of Song, Story, and Shared Roots
Marrakech – Day 2 of the 54th Festival National des Arts Populaires picked up where the night before left off, but this time, the celebration split into two parallel beats. At Place El Guerguerate Hay Massira, a new stage welcomed an equally electrified crowd. From the soothing rhythms of Gnaoua to the spiritual chants of Dakka Marrakchia, the energy of Reggada, and the vibrant fusion of the Afro dance group, the atmosphere turned Marrakech streets into a sacred space. The lineup flowed from genre to genre, each rooted in tradition, yet interpreted for today's Morocco. The performers embodied stories, terrains, and spirits of their homes through their music. Meanwhile, back at Palais El Badi, the day one performer returned to the historic stage, but this time, to an even fuller house. Every seat was taken. The rest stood, sang, danced, and clapped along, refusing to be just an audience. 'There was no space to sit,' one guest told Morocco World News, 'This event pushes us to learn about our culture, our history, our regions, and why we do what we do.' Heritage is something to live, pass on, and reinvent And that's where the spirit of FNAP lies. Now in its 54th edition, the festival remains true to its mission: honoring Morocco's 'Patrimoines immatériels en mouvement,' its intangible cultural heritage in motion. Whether it's the elegance of Ahidous music, the poetic energy of Ahouach, or the acrobatic storytelling of the Oulad Sidi Hmad ou Moussa group, each performance reminds us that heritage is not something to archive. It's something to live, pass on, and reinvent. Among the many voices echoing through the festival was that of iconic Moroccan singer Khadija El Warzaziya, who told Morocco World News (MWN), 'FNAP 2025 is amazing, too beautiful, too perfect.' Then, laughing, she added: 'Nadi Canadi.' The second night was more than a repetition of the first. It was a reaffirmation. In a world that too often rushes forward without looking back, FNAP 2025 reminds us that culture is not static. It's rhythm. It's memory. It's joy shared in art. And in Marrakech this week, it's contagious. Tags: FNAPFNAP 2025heritageMoroccoMorocco Music
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Morocco World
Police Open Investigation After Ride-Sharing App Driver Allegedly Assaults Student in Rabat
Moroccan police have launched an investigation following a violent incident in Rabat involving a ride-sharing app, reportedly Indrive, and a university student. The incident took place on June 22, when the victim was with her friend and was awaiting the Indrive vehicle to come and pick them up from the Mega Mall shopping center in Rabat. The victim said she ordered a ride via the InDrive application. Upon the driver's arrival, the pair reportedly noticed a discrepancy between the car details provided, including color, model, and license plate. The driver was also accompanied by a woman. The two friends then refused to go with the driver, citing safety concerns. A verbal dispute soon turned into a physical assault . One of the women who ordered the ride was reportedly attacked when she attempted to take pictures of the vehicle's license plate. 'I wasn't notified that someone else was in the car. Then he asked me if it was I who ordered the ride. I said no, because I was afraid, and I put my phone on silent mode in case he'd get angry and start calling me. He then took my phone to check whether I was the one who made the ride order,' The victim told Morocco World News (MWN). Tensions escalated with the driver, who allegedly asked the woman accompanying him to get out of the car and beat the other woman who ordered the ride. 'He said if she would not do it, he would do it himself. Then the lady took me aside and attempted to calm him down, and started to talk to me, and I emphasized that I could not take the ride with him,' she said. The victim said she also tried to take pictures because he threatened her that he had her number and he would find her. The driver also attacked her, punching her in the face and causing serious injuries to her jaw. The driver reportedly fled the scene before the police's arrival. The victim filed a complaint against the driver, with an investigation ongoing to determine the circumstances of the case. Eventually, police identified the suspect and arrested him. Ongoing clash The case comes amid an already fragile situation marked by constant clashes between the ride-sharing application and taxi unions. Over the past months, several reports and viral videos have documented the clashes between taxi drivers and ride-sharing app drivers. One of the latest incidents took place in December last year. Videos and eyewitness accounts of the clash documented scenes of physical violence (notably an exchange of punches and kicks) and verbal abuse. The incident began when taxi drivers chased a ride-sharing driver through the streets of Rabat, converging reports indicated, adding that the chase started when the ride-sharing driver picked up a passenger at Agdal train station. Many similar incidents have taken place over the years, dividing opinions across Morocco. Some have called on the Moroccan government to set up clear regulations overseeing ride-sharing applications operating in the country. Earlier this month, Minister of Interior Abdelouafi Alaftit responded to concerns about the delicate challenges and the lack of regulations governing ride-sharing apps in Morocco. Laftit said that efforts are ongoing to develop a new system for taxis, noting that the current taxi system is no longer sustainable. He pledged a modern approach with technologies to tackle the situation, noting that the goal of a similar project is to establish a system that responds to the requirements of the current phase and meets citizens' aspirations without harming those working in the sector. In July last year, Moroccan police also responded to a complaint filed by a woman, who reported being subjected to insults, threats, and verbal abuse by a driver working for Indrive. Police intervention came after the victim shared a video in tears, recounting how the driver had threatened to 'take her to a deserted area and assault her and that nobody would know about what happened.' The woman also described how she narrowly escaped when the driver had horrifically attempted to assault her and rob her belongings in an isolated area. Tags: Indrive assault Moroccoindrive MoroccoIndrive RabatMorocco
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
How Poland, Romania, and Hungary Reflect Europe's Populist Shift
Poland's recent presidential election and Romania's unexpected voter turnout reflect contrasting political trajectories. Yet beneath the surface, both countries—alongside the frequently defiant Hungary—reflect a broader European tension: can liberal values, EU integration, and youth empowerment withstand the surge of populism? In recent interviews with Morocco World News, students from these countries offered their views on the changing political landscape. Their voices reveal not just frustration, but a commitment to reclaiming democratic control. Romania: Standing Firm with Europe Romania's May 2025 presidential elections diverged significantly from the nationalist surge seen across much of Europe. Nicusor Dan, an independent centrist with a pro-European platform, defeated far-right rival George Simion with 54% of the vote. Youth turnout was key—with the eligible voter turnout at 65%, the highest in over two decades. This reflected a rejection of populist theatrics in favor of substantive governance in partnership with EU and NATO values. In an interview with MWN, one Romanian student offered a nuanced perspective: 'It's not necessarily an education problem—it's the willing ignorance of the population. […] The culmination of the challenging economic situation and geopolitical detachment of governments over the past decade [gives the] sense that the mainstream government has failed the common man, so they turn to more radical expressive individuals.' The students noted a pervasive distrust in traditional news outlets and the growing influence of social media that often distorts reality: 'There's a lot of distrust and lack of credibility in the news. The shift towards easily manipulated short form content can amplify misinformation.' While George Simion's AUR party has made gains in recent years, it appears to resonate more with older generations. 'Among students, not really,' another respondent said. 'The older generations tend to resonate with the traditional political norms of the past.' Perhaps most telling is the evolving stance on Europe. 'There is a growing anti-European sentiment, not necessarily among the youth. […] This extremism is based around sovereignty, that the EU wants to take control of Romania,' one student explained. '[AUR shifts] blame on globalisation and on Europe instead of taking accountability for the scars left by the communist past.' Nevertheless, the pro-EU resolve students share is stronger than ever—especially after the previous populist front‑runner, Calin Georgescu, was revealed to have benefited from Russian-backed social media campaigns. That scandal triggered a national investigation and a court annulment of the November 2024 election due to suspected foreign interference. Poland: Between Brussels and Warsaw Poland's June 2025 runoff saw Karol Nawrocki, a PiS-aligned conservative, narrowly elected with 50.89%. While formally independent, Nawrocki's views align with nationalist skepticism of Brussels—home to the EU headquarters—and opposes broader social liberalization. His election has created a palpable split. As one Polish student told MWN: 'I don't think it will be much different. […] Nawrocki [might] be a bit more aggressive than Duda [the current PiS President] in opposing the laws being passed by the liberal government. In terms of relationships with the EU, Poland will continue to be a bit more distant but there certainly won't be an anti-EU Brexit type sentiment [like in the UK].' The student continued by explaining Nawrocki's sentiment of resisting EU federalisation—an idea that the EU would turn into a centralized system of governance, similar to the likes of the US: 'I agree with the idea of not wanting to federalise the EU and bringing all of Europe under the watchful eye of Germany and France, which is what many Polish people believe,' the student explained, clarifying the growing tension of losing judicial independence. The student added a more critical note: 'However Nawrocki's election will definitely halt the more progressive stance proposed by the Prime Minister [Donald Tusk] and his government, and we likely won't be seeing any sort of 'westernisation' in terms of abortion rights or LGBT rights during his presidency.' Poland's stance on Ukraine also complicates the narrative. While the government has remained a vocal supporter of military aid, the student explained how nationalist rhetoric has crept into domestic discourse: 'There has always been a somewhat anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Poland due to historical factors and disagreements. The president-elect wishes to continue military support for Ukraine […] but the overall stance of the right wing is anti-immigrant, which of course impacts the way Ukrainian people are perceived in Poland.' This reflects the ongoing populist paradox: defending European borders while distancing from European values. Hungary: Populism Entrenched Hungary remains the most consolidated example of right-wing populist rule in the EU. Under Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, media freedoms, academic independence, and civil society space have all narrowed. One Hungarian student described a clear generational and class divide to MWN: 'Young Hungarians [are] generally empathetic towards the EU and Europe as historically there has been distrust in the Hungarian government. […] My friends live in Budapest, which generally is a left-leaning bubble of safety when it comes to politically induced hardship. They do not yet feel the impact of [Orban's] censorship. Rurally, the people fully support right-wing propaganda such as anti immigrant sentiment.' Orban's grip on media and civil society is no abstraction. 'Orban has taken over or taken down any largely available public media that opposed his leadership,' the student explained. When asked about Hungary's continued resistance to EU sanctions on Russia, the student expressed deep frustration towards the opportunistic leadership: 'Generally the sentiment is that Hungary's leadership is […] money hungry rather than actively malicious. Much of the propaganda is based on issues that are very minor and function as figureheads for the populist argument.' Another student echoed the pro-EU sentiment: 'Many of us want to be both European and Hungarian. Orban makes it seem like we have to choose. That's not how we want to see our country.' The Region at a Political Crossroads The responses from students across Eastern Europe point to a shared reality: the younger generation is not passive. They are watching, participating, and resisting. Poland's new presidency may stall liberal reform, but youth engagement—especially in urban settings—remains high. Romania's pro-European tilt proves that substance and transparency can still win elections. Hungary's students, even in a constrained civic space, are finding ways to make their voices heard. What links these perspectives is a sense of urgency and generational accountability. Students don't merely vote—they advocate, organize, and interpret the stakes through their lived experience. The European Outlook With far-right parties like France's Rassemblement National and Germany's AfD gaining momentum, the political decisions emerging from Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly influential. Poland and Hungary's defiance of EU rule-of-law mechanisms has long tested Brussels' resolve. Romania's pivot suggests that populist momentum is not inevitable—but rather subject to the strength of democratic participation. The expected 2029 European Parliament elections will offer a decisive gauge. But the direction Europe takes may rest on whether young people continue to speak out and turn up at the ballot box. As one Romanian student said, 'We understand what's at stake. This time, we made sure to be heard.' Tags: African immigration to Europepolitical shift in Europe
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Rwanda Celebrates 31 Years of Liberation in Morocco
Rabat – The Rwandan Embassy in Rabat held a ceremony today to mark Kwibuka 31, the 31st anniversary of Rwanda's liberation. The event brought together Rwandans living in Morocco, Moroccan officials, and diplomats. The Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi was also present at the event. Speaking to Morocco World News, Rwandan Ambassador to Morocco Shakila Omutonyi explained the meaning of Kwibuka , saying it means 'to liberate oneself.' She said the day is very important because it reminds everyone of the end of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, a tragic event that affected Rwanda deeply. Kwibuka about celebrating the journey Rwanda has made over the last 31 years. But Kwibuka is not just about remembering the past. It is also about celebrating the journey Rwanda has made over the last 31 years, the ambassador added. 'But on the other hand, we also commemorate the journey that Rwanda has gone through for the past 31 years. a journey of reconstruction, a journey of resilience. But mostly it's the Rwandan people that has made a decision to move forward and not be stuck in the past,' she told MWN. She thanked Morocco for supporting Rwanda throughout this journey of recovery and growth. Kwibuka is a day of remembrance and hope. It honors the memory of those who lost their lives during the genocide and celebrates Rwanda's progress in peace, unity, and development. Kwibuka about celebrating the journey Rwanda has made over the last 31 years. In 1994, over 800,000 people were killed in just 100 days during the tragic genocide against the Tutsi. Since the genocide ended, Rwanda has made a strong effort to rebuild the nation, with focus on justice, development, and unity among its people. Kwibuka is observed every year to honor the victims and to remember the pain and loss experienced by the country. But it's also a time for healing, peace, and unity. Each year, the country and Rwandan communities around the world hold ceremonies, events, and educational activities to promote reconciliation and prevent such violence from happening again. Tags: anniversaryLibérationRwanda
