Moroccan bloggers talk about holidays and censorship

27/12/2006

This week's discussions on the Moroccan blogosphere were dominated by the ban of the Moroccan publication "Nichane" and censorship.

[Getty Images] The Moroccan government has prohibited the publication of the Arabic-language magazine Nichane for insulting Islam.

"Happy holiday!" blogged Rafie S'HAKI -- saying that the 21st century along with the new technologies have "changed all [the] habits and traditions," in Morocco and the way the holidays are celebrated.

"When I was a little boy, Eid Al Adha was an occasion to reconnect with … the relatives … and perpetrate family ties," but today, he says, "you can, without leaving your house, buy a sheep on the internet … and have it delivered." You can also "wish a happy holiday to a member of your family, a colleague, a friend or your boss; [through] the SMS."

In his post entitled "le monde entre la Dinde de Noël et le Mouton de Aid lkbir," (the world between the Christmas turkey and the Eid sheep), Abdou Kamel describes the dilemma that most Muslims are faced with this year. "The Muslims will have two major holidays Christmas and Eid lkabir, an occasion for feast and peace between religions," suggested the Moroccan blogger.

"Back in September, Tel Quel magazine launched an Arabic-language sister publication, under the title Nichane. Now, like its French sister, the magazine is in hot water," reported The View From Fez.

The magazine " was banned yesterday [December 20th] by the Moroccan authorities, by order of the prime minister's office," noted Laila Lalami.

The blogger added that "issue #91, dated December 9th to the 15th, had a cover story on 'Jokes: How Moroccans Make Fun of Religion, Sex, and Politics.' It included a long article, written by Sanaa Al Aji … The jokes that were deemed particularly offensive were the ones dealing with religion … jokes that readers could just as easily have heard at work, at school, at home or at the café, and therefore they're nothing new."

A lawsuit has been filed against the magazine's director, and Sanaa Al Aji, the writer, for "insult to the Islamic faith" and "publication and distribution of writings that are contrary to the morals and mores" of the country. The trial is set for January 8th, and they risk prison terms of three to five years, added Mohamed Said Lahjouij.

"It is not a blind support … but nothing in the Nichane file justifies this incredible decision worthy of a totalitarian country. It is a relentless determination to satisfy the most radical group in the country … the PJD and friends," but if nothing is done, continued the blogger, "tomorrow they will ask us to let go of other things. There is a lot at stake," warned Larbi.

Bla Francia was one of the few Moroccan bloggers who condemned the magazine for using Moroccan readers, saying that Nichane "was looking for it, it was expecting the lawsuits, the protests," they wanted to gain more readership, unfortunately they fall victim to "conflict between the Islamists and the secular groups," he bemoaned.