Maghreb bloggers discuss living standards in the region

2009-02-20

Quality of life in the Maghreb was the topic of the week on many of the region's blogs. Writers discussed subjects ranging from press freedom to health care and the school system

[madjerba.canalblog.com] Religion should not provide a cover for violating human rights, blogger Madjerba wrote.

Bloggers across the Maghreb this week touched on a wide variety of subjects this week. From politics and religion to issues of language and identity, everything was fair game

One discussion on Tunisian blog Un oeil sur la planète covered the achievements, or lack thereof, of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA). Blogger Sarah wrote, "Isn't the role of the UMA… to help countries solve problems between them or at least to move on to develop the region, and not to pretend to exist with a worthless motto, headquarters in Rabat, a secretary-general in Tunis, and… and nothing more."

Also in Tunis, AntikoR wrote about his Facebook group called "We want more freedoms, for a better quality of life in Tunisia". The creation of the group was in reaction to International Living magazine's recent ranking, which placed Tunisia first among Arab countries and 4th in Africa. AntikoR noted, "We realize that Tunisia has relatively acceptable grades for its economy and infrastructure… but received a low grade as far as freedoms go… we are very disappointed."

On the same topic, Carpe Diem analysed Tunisia's grades over time, remarking that this index "reveals that between 2008 and 2009, the cost of living has increased by 12 points, the decrease of the grade on culture by 6 points, the drop of the grade on the economy by 8 points, minus 3 for the environment, minus 8 for freedom, minus 12 for health care." Carpe Diem added, "Did anyone wonder about the reasons behind this drop in our quality of life? No…"

Un oeil sur la planète also discussed the issue of illegal migration. The blogger wrote,"[Times have changed… Europe of today is no longer the dream… Unfortunately, our illegal immigrants don't know it; they still and always dream of an Eldorado." The blogger wondered why there is no awareness campaign in place aimed at potential illegal migrants on the hardships they run when attempting to illegally enter Europe.

Over in Morocco, Casawaves reprinted an entry by Redwane about the reasons qualified Moroccan expatriates hesitate to return to Morocco, despite alluring job offers. Among the many factors Redwane cited are the lack of proper health care, the poor quality of education, a corrupt justice system, cronyism and lack of democratic institutions, and poor security. "Hence, to summarise for you, if you are a foreigner or a member of a "landlord" family of Morocco, you are welcome- otherwise, stay where you are!!!"

Other bloggers also wrote about censorship in Morocco. Reda Blog explained the reasons behind his decision not to vote in the upcoming 2009 communal elections: "Sometimes, the only way to express one's opinion is to refuse to vote."

On the topic of women, Madjerba reacted to a post by L'Alternaute on how France portrays Muslim women. The writer of the L'Alternaute entry noted several sensationalist books on Muslim women at a Virgin store, saying, "This leads you to think that there are lobbies that push for the massacre of Muslim women's image in France!"

Madjerba in turn stated, "Defend your women, Ladies and Gentlemen the believers, and defend those who defend them, be you Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or other. Religion should not provide a cover for the violation of women's rights, of human rights."