Morocco Tour--March 21, 2011

I will take a private group tour with Abdou who lives in Taroudant, Morocco, next month.

In response to a question about possible instability and protests affecting our tour from the port of Agadir, he gave this reply:


"All is safe here, and as much as Moroccans want to bring a good change to Morocco, they stand united against any attempts to change the regime. We love the king and every one agrees about this.

There has been some talking about another peaceful demonstration late April, but nothing confirmed. Morocco however is different from other Arab countries and the people enjoy more freedoms so peaceful demonstrations are nothing new. The monarchy is also 12 centuries old and Moroccans care for this institution. Only concern we have is that there are always trouble-makers that would get in the middle of a peaceful march and make things look awful.'' Abdou

Bahrain-Some Interesting Facts

Excerpted from an article posted by the AP on 02-18-11
Witnesses say Bahrain security forces have opened fire on anti-government protesters as the violence in Manama continues as part of a bold attempt to copy Egypt's uprising and to force high-level changes in its government.

Protesters are calling for the removal of King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah and for Prime Minister Khalifah bin Sulman al-Khalifah to step down, and the majority Shiites are demanding more power from Sunni-led government.

The violence has now thrust the small island country - known for its oil and pearls - into the international spotlight for reasons other than its tourism and relatively liberal climate. Though Bahrain is tiny, it is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet and, like Saudi Arabia, is one of the key U.S. allies in the Gulf region.

Here are a few facts about Bahrain:

Government
The nation has a constitutional hereditary monarchy, which means the king, as chief of state, is guided by a constitution -- but his rights, duties and responsibilities are spelled out in written law or by custom. Bahrain has had only one Prime Minister since the country's 1971 independence, Khalifah bin Sulman al-Khalifah, the uncle of the reigning King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah (see photo). Protesters are calling for the removal of King Hamad and for the prime minister to step down, and the majority Shiites are demanding more power from Sunni-led government.

The country has been headed since 1783 by the Khalifah family, members of the Bani Utbah tribe, who expelled the Persians. From 1861, when a treaty was signed with Britain, until independence in 1971, Bahrain was virtually a British protectorate.


Media
The BBC reports that most Bahraini radio and TV stations are state-run. A press law guarantees the right of journalists to operate independently, but they are liable to jail terms for offenses which include insulting the king, and self-censorship is practiced. Earlier this month, Bahrain's leaders promised to expand media freedom in another apparent attempt to quell plans for the first major anti-government protests in the Gulf since the uprising in Egypt.


Women
According to Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), women in Bahrain are still widely discriminated against and enjoyed few freedoms in general society. The BCHR has called Bahrain's society and workplace "male-dominated," and noted that "very few genuine steps are being taken -- by either the government or civil society -- to rectify the one-sided system." The group has also highlighted the plight of female migrant workers in the Gulf state, saying that "special attention must be given to the plight of female migrant domestic workers, as they have been by and large ignored and excluded from the discourse on women's rights."

People
According to the CIA World Factbook, the population of Bahrain is a mere 738,004, 62.4 percent of which are native Bahraini.

Economy
According to the CIA World Factbook, Bahrain has one of the most diversified economies in the Persian Gulf. Highly developed communication and transport facilities make Bahrain home to numerous multinational firms with business in the Gulf. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. in August 2006, the first such agreement between the U.S. and a Gulf state. Bahrain's economy continues to depend heavily on oil, though considerably less so than other Gulf states.

Religion
81.2 percent of Bahrain identifies as Shia and Sunni Muslim, according to the CIA World Factbook.


Education
Bahrain has the oldest public education system in the Arabian Peninsula. The system was established in 1932 when the government assumed responsibility for operating two preexisting primary schools for boys. Subsequently, separate facilities for girls and various secondary programs were established. Since the 1970s, education has been one of the largest current government expenditures.


US Naval Fleet
A close ally of the United States, Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which is responsible for naval forces in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, as well as the coast off East Africa, as far south as Kenya.

Egyptian Muslims and Christians Rising Up Together

The Crescent Cross is neither a cross adorned with a crescent, nor a crescent adorned with a cross. It is an interfaith symbol where both the crescent and the cross bear equal significance

Here is a great article by Sumbul Ali-Karamali, that highlights solidarity among Egyptian Christians and Muslims. Sumbul Ali-Karamali is an attorney with an additional degree in Islamic law and is the author of 'The Muslim Next Door: the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing.' I read this book last year and learned a lot.

Those who insist on characterizing Egypt's electrifying protests of the last week as "an Islamic uprising" fail to notice the Egyptian Christians who are protesting alongside Muslims and other Egyptians in Tahrir Square. It's an amazing mosaic of Egyptians from all walks of life: women in black robes alongside young men drinking beer alongside Muslim Brotherhood members alongside secularists alongside professionals, and so on. As an American Muslim not of Egyptian descent, I find myself hoping that one of the results of this uprising will be solidarity between Egyptian Muslims and Egyptian Christians.

There's already evidence and hope to that effect. Solidarity between Muslims and Christians is running high in Egypt, though of course there are always the fringe lunatics who find excuses for violence.

On Jan. 1, a terrorist bombing at a church in Alexandria tragically left 21 people dead. The media also covered the consequential street protests of Coptic youth. Yet, a story that received little coverage was the emphatic surge of solidarity between huge numbers of Egyptian Muslims and Christians.

After the bombing, one of Egypt's highest-ranking Muslim shaikhs and Grand Mufti of Egypt, Ali Goma'a, said, "This is not just an attack on Copts, this is an attack on me and you and all Egyptians, on Egypt and its history and its symbols, by terrorists who know no God, no patriotism, and no humanity."

Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayeb, stated, "An act like this is wholly condemnable in Islam. Muslims are not only obligated not to harm Christians, but to protect and defend them and their places of worship."

After the bombing, thousands of Muslim Egyptians attended church services in Egyptian churches, in order to serve as human shields in case of another attack. They held candlelight vigils outside, as well. The group included everyone from preachers to students to movie stars and politicians.

Moreover, millions of Egyptians changed their Facebook profile pictures to the image of a cross beside a crescent, signifying "Egypt for All."

This solidarity has held. During the past week's demonstrations, many protesters held aloft signs with the crescent-cross symbol. When some Egyptian demonstrators began to shout "Allahu Akbar," they were immediately drowned out by voluminous chants of "Muslim, Christian, we're all Egyptians."

And days ago, I saw one of the most moving sights I have seen in a long time. The peaceful protests had turned violent, when armed pro-Mubarak mobs (likely instigated by the regime) began attacking unarmed protesters. But when the pro-Mubarak mobs started attacking Muslims Egyptians who were at their prayers in the square, Christian Egyptians made a ring around them to protect them as they prayed.

Egypt still has a ways to go. Laws that discriminate against Christians in Egypt must be totally eliminated. Christians and Muslims share a history in Egypt that goes back a thousand years. The extremist ideologies originating in the 1970s have increased tensions in recent decades, and persecution of Egyptian Christians has increased. It must be completely rejected, as the majority of Egyptians -- both Muslim and Christian -- are already rejecting it on all grounds, from religious to humanitarian.

The Mubarak regime and its security apparatus has been complicit in persecution of Christians. Last year, a government moratorium on construction of a Christian community center resulted in clashes between police and protesters. More than a hundred were jailed.

In hoping that the peaceful protests prevail and the Mubarak dictatorship gives way to a real democracy, I also hope that, along with it, a truly pluralistic and nondiscriminatory society will result in Egypt. The uprisings are Egyptian uprisings, not Muslim uprisings, not Christian uprisings. May they prevail together and build a new, equal society together.

Sumbul Ali-Karamali is an attorney with an additional degree in Islamic law and is the author of 'The Muslim Next Door: the Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing.'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sumbul-alikaramali/egyptian-muslims-egyptian_b_818829.html

WHY INSTABILITY IN EGYPT COULD HAVE SUCH A STRONG AND POWERFUL NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE WORLD

Although Egypt is one of the most important countries on the world stage, they have not been in the forefront of our thinking because they have remained relatively stable for more than 30 years.

The explosive uprisings that began last week in Cairo (and extended to other cities such as Alexandria) have placed Egypt center stage in the world’s psyche. I feel a special connection to Egypt because I visited Cairo and Alexandria in both December of 2009 in November of 2010. I found the Egyptians to be warm, friendly and gracious hosts who take great pride in their nation’s achievements.I just read an article that summarizes some of the key of reasons that Egypt plays such an important role on the world stage. I will paraphrase here:

There are a number of factors that make Egypt's unrest important, in that country, the Middle East, and the world.

Egypt is a strong U.S. ally

Egypt has been a key ally for the US in the region since the 1970s, and is currently the second highest recipient of U.S. foreign aid (after Israel). Our relationship with Egypt is complex and co-dependent. That explains why the Obama Administration has been reluctant to distance itself from Mubarak --initially.

Arbitrator in the Israel-Palestine peace process

Egypt has served as a key arbitrator in the Israel-Palestine peace process. As one of the few Arab interlocutors in the region, the Mubarak regime has been a powerful go-between. Israel is extremely concerned about the situation in Egypt because President Mubarak has preserved a peace treaty between the two countries for 30 years. Israel considers the treaty a strategic asset, and it fears that a regime change in Egypt could put the peace agreement in danger.

Egypt is a secular (vs. Islamist) nation

Ever since the Egyptian revolution of 1952, when Egypt finally was under rule by Egyptians, Presidents Nasser, Sadat, and Mubarak have steadfastly maintained a secular nation. As a result, the door has been open to partner with the west and to broker peace in the Middle East. Given the power vacuum created by the removal of Mubarak, extreme religious opposition groups could emerge and seize power. There has always been a powerful faction inside Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood who was fought tirelessly, from underground, to transform Egypt to an Islamist nation governed by Sharia Law. Although the views of the Muslim Brotherhood represent less than half the population, they are the most powerful Islamist opposition group, (in existence since 1928).

Potential domino effect in other Arab and Muslim countries

Egypt’s revolution could give momentum to popular uprisings throughout the region where other archaic forms of government could be dismantled. There are many young, angry Muslim populations who are poised to take to the streets to protest oppressive regimes. Egyptian protesters have claimed they were inspired by the successful revolution in Tunisia earlier this month, which ousted the authoritarian president. Other Muslim nations, where discontent has been simmering beneath the surface, are at risk for comparable uprisings. Jordan has already responded by disassembling is parliament. Protests in Yemen have strengthened over the past few days. Other nations such as Libya and Algeria are vulnerable to similar revolts.

Economic stability in the Middle East

Since the protests began, Egypt's stock market has plummeted, and nearby Saudi Arabia's stock index dropped. Additionally, oil prices have already jumped due to fears over access to the Suez Canal.

Implications for the entire future of the Middle East

With the strong financial and political backing of the U.S., as well as its own powerful influence, Egypt is a major power broker in the Middle East. As the Economist puts it, "With its strategic situation, its cultural influence and a population double that of any other Arab country, Egypt has for three decades now been the linchpin of a precarious but enduring regional Pax Americana." If Egypt were to fall into chaos, not only the nation, but also the region, would be deeply affected.


Tunisia and Egypt’s uprisings are the results of decades of often brutal repression against civil liberties; ironclad control of the media; corrupt economic policies; single-party rule and the establishment of police states; high unemployment; and high poverty rates.

The people are sick and tired and are not going to take it anymore.