CCAS

Our second pre-departure orientation was held today at Georgetown's Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, and we were privileged to receive a rich medley of information on Morocco from various expert sources: Mr. Houcine Rhazoui, Political Counsellor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco; Professor Osama Abi-Mershed from the Department of History at Georgetown University; and Professor I. William Zartman--the "Father of North African Studies"--from the Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University.

Topics covered included: a general overview of contemporary Moroccan socieity; the Amazighs (Berbers); the various reforms being undertaken by King Mohamed VI; the centuries-long history of the monarchy; the colonial period and the little-known, heroic Riffian resistance; the Western Sahara issue; foreign relations; Islam in Morocco and the role of saints and brotherhoods; and an overview of its multi-party system (as in 32 parties). Many thanks to Zeina for assembling this invaluable day of learning and insight. Without a doubt, we are better prepared to experience Morocco on multiple levels in light of this new knowledge. The delicious lunch from Marrakesh Palace only served to get us further in the mood. T minus 9 days and counting.

Houcine Rhazoui, Political Counsellor from the Moroccan Embassy, outlines the vast socio-political initiatives being implemented by King Mohamed VI

Professor Abi-Mershed introduces Ahmed el Raisuni, Rif Ruffian to many, Rif Robin Hood to some, in the early 1900s. el Raisuni was portrayed by Sean Connery in the film "The Wind & The Lion"

Professor Zartman shares an ironic laugh on how quickly US critics want Morocco to reform