Moroccan bloggers talk about holidays and censorship
2006-12-27
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.
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rdouan Posted 2006-12-29
Happy new year! Happy Eid!
هشام Posted 2007-01-04
(A verse from the holy Koran). I say to those responsible of Nichane Magazine, return to Allah and ask his forgiveness, Islam is a moon in the sky, and dwarfs like you cannot, are you relinquish your religion after you were believers.
abou hassan Posted 2007-01-04
In the name of Allah, and thanks to Allah who has sent his prophet with the truth… Muslim scholars all agree that any one who derides Allah, His angels or prophets… is a disbeliever even jokingly, the proof is those who derided the prophet and Allah names them unbelievers in the Koran. Those who published their derisions and mockeries of the religion of Allah in that wicked magazine have to correct what they did and return to Allah to ask His forgiveness before the Day of Judgement. Thanks to Allah, all Muslims, men and women, young and old, have condemned this awful deed, namely Moroccans. We’ve witnessed therefore the devotion of Moroccans to their religion. The scheme of these seculars to divide Muslims was abashed. Be it known to everyone that Morocco will always be a Muslim state under the direction of king Mohamed VI, May Allah assist him and grant him success.
ندى Posted 2007-01-08
Nichane just tells the truth. You may be upset, it’s only the truth.
خليل aljadida Posted 2007-01-11
Those who want evil for Islam, Allah will destroy them. It’s a shame to offend Allah, the Prophet, His companions and our kings by Moroccans. In fact, their retribution will await them on the Day of Judgment. As Allah delays but does not neglect.
سكينة Posted 2007-01-15
In my opinion, the people behind Nichane will face their punishment before God because they desecrated Islam and wronged it!
امة الله Posted 2007-01-16
The world was stirred up upon because of the desecration on Islam (cartoons and Pope declarations) and now we are being insulted in our own homes by our own Muslim people. This is a shameful and unforgivable act!
hamid Posted 2007-01-16
In the name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful. My dear brothers in Islam, I urge and say to the Nichane staff that God is living does not dies. He gives his servants a chance but does not forget. May the curse of God be upon the people behind Nichane. Peace be upon you!
محمد Posted 2007-01-16
This is a lenient punishment incompatible with the insult waged against Islam. God said "They do believe they are cunning, but Your Lord is most cunning"
امينة Posted 2007-01-17
This is to the sister commentator who said that the newspaper is right. Would you not fear your Lord, the All awake, and His severe punishment?
aichou Posted 2007-01-21
In the name of God. This is to the reader Nada, fear your Lord you are lying to claim that this is the truth. You deserve what happens to you in this world!
عبد الحكيم Posted 2007-01-27
Hello. Know the hypocrites are in the lowest rank of hell fire"!
الواثق بالله أبو تراب Posted 2007-01-29
Peace and blessings of God be upon you! to my brothers and sisters who felt deeply offended by the "Nichane" or rather "distorted" article, I think that the government is unfortunately to blame for this farce. They indiscriminately issue licenses whether rogue muslims like the writers of the paper or those who took pride in their article as well as those who defend it like the jews and christians ot others. The government brought this fire on itself even though they thought they contained the crisis with their own terms. We should not pass up the need to deeply think about what may well face us in the future from people like Nichane's and other writers. Whoever wants to boots his paper sales hire the lowest and worst writer to use a daily column to act like Sanaa Al Aji. I say to her "Congratulations your abode in hellfire, the day you will be brought up before your Lord for what you have done which will be an evidence against you; the day you will be asked: What have you done to protect your faith and dignity, and you will say : I made people laugh by what I wrote in Nichane and those who laughed will be brought too and you will all cry but in vain, the day people will face the punishment according to what they have done on earth. Dear brothers and sisters, the damage from Nichane is already done, we should be expecting more from the rogues and hypocrites and lows lives, they are many in the horizon and they are ready to give up anything for a one week fame. Their is no Power and Will except that of the Lord. Arm yourselves with faith may the Lord have His mercy on you, the war on Islam is taking all forms and shapes and the fronts are numerous, the numbers increasing and Islam will prevail with the Will of God who said "they think they are cunning, but the Lord is the most cunning". Teach your kids how to stand up for their creed and defend their faith and ingrain in them the love of knowledge and work and the skill to side with the right path and argue with wisdom. I am all hopes that our generation includes sisters who can give birth to great men like Ahmed Deedat whom I think is a unique scholar. Young people are expected to produce people like him. The Christian missionaries are waging a war against us in all forms, and the defectors like the writers of Nichane only wish that we remain underdeveloped and distract us with laughter until we realize we can only cry while the other laugh at us. I urge every Moroccan and non Moroccan sister who reads my comment to think deeply in what I said. Islam needs us more than ever. I swear Islam will not move forward an inch if you remain underdeveloped and will not retract an inch if you move forward. Stand up and speak out for Islam! it will only see victory with your support. Note: Sister Nada, May the Lord guide you to the right path and through His light into your heart God Willing. Peace and blessing of God be upon you!
القدس Posted 2007-02-02
Important topic, the Danish painter, who offended our dear prophet Mohamed peace and prayer be upon him, died burnt. Disseminate the news quickly as his country is trying to hide it, the punishment of God is severe.
سائر الدرب Posted 2007-02-11
Yesterday I visited Morocco. I went to Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Ifrane and Marrakesh. The people of Morocco is very nice but they need a little bit of awareness about Asia and more confidence and open the doors of clean tourism. There is an important thing that needs the government's attention: bribery needs to go and simple laws must be implemented for Muslim tourists. What really intrigued me as an Arab is the big respect that Moroccans give to the generous leader of the twenty first century, the trustworthy, honest bearer of the suffering of his nation the sincere before his Lord, the one that all enemies consider the most daring among men of the century, the honorable righteous Mr. Hassan Abdel Karim Nasrallah and the Hizbullah resistance Lebanese movement. Warm greetings of respect from the bottom of my heart to the heart of every fan of this great man, Nassrallah and his party Hizbullah!
dr.nano Posted 2007-02-20
We will not forgive them even if they apologize!
malaksabrina Posted 2007-03-04
I just want to say that what has been reported in the magazine is actually been discussed in Moroccan streets and these are jokes known to every Moroccan young and old, even in all countries. Let us be realistic, how many of us have not heard jokes about a president or king and about sex etc. I dot not condone what was published in it because we have seen enough insults by the pope and danish cartoonists. It is just a reality translated by the Magazine and put it out to the people and here is where the problem lies. It perhaps did not choose the right time to publish which triggered all this roar because we have not forgotten what our religion have been subjected to. Islam is and will be the religion of tolerance and will be prominent despite the schemes. The Lord is All Forgiving and Merciful. Peace!
الأزدي Posted 2007-08-08
We the Moroccans fight terrorism and the group of mercenaries jealous over the stability of our dear Morocco under the rule of the constitutional monarchy. They just wish to see this country in chaos, 'They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah.'
التازي المحنك Posted 2007-08-20
Freedom is necessary but without offending religion...firstly the king is illegitimate...we should get rid of him then discuss freedom.
نادين موريتان Posted 2007-08-30
Freedom is necessary, but the caricature of Islam is derisory and funny. The freedoms of people cannot be restricted under the cover of offending the beliefs of people. We criticize and make fun of Christians every day, and never came across these boundaries before- only when an Islamic group is scrutinized on the platforms of media. Now we are led to trial and sentenced under all pretenses. Go on Nichane in your way, only the right opinion will win. From Mauritania, this is the opinion of some people.
الأندلسي Posted 2008-01-25
To NAdine Mauritania, you said (From MAuritania this is the opinion of some) and I reply to you: You're right, this is the opinion of some, and some in the ethics of all doesn't equal a fist of dust. They are nothing, and everyone who agrees with Nichane are like them and like those some (they will forever) for some and will remain some...And you who express the opinion of some you'll just be a mosquito of some! So no congratulations to you and your some...May God shut your mouth and words, a reminder your destiny is destruction.
محمد علي Posted 2008-04-08
Eh people, Nichane didn’t offend Islam. He has just said what Moroccan people say we are. The best evidence the title (How do Moroccans laugh at …). We shouldn’t be hypocrites because Nichane is the only forum which doesn’t embellish its news. (I chose to write in the local dialect because the matter concerns Nichane and Moroccans). I will always support Nichane until the truth come out. If you don’t agree my phone number is at your service.
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