Moroccan writers share how they transmit love of reading to children

2005-09-06

Moroccan writers talked to Al Sharq Alawsat newspaper about the relationship their children have with reading.

(Al Sharq Alawsat -- 06/09/05)

[File] Hassan Nejmi, former president of the Federation of Moroccan Writers

The scholar is not most satisfied by seeing thousands of books in his library every morning, but rather by seeing his children read.

Hassan Nejmi, former president of the Federation of Moroccan Writers, says he has urged his oldest daughter to read every book relating to political structure in Morocco that she can find, such as those written by Mohamed Moutassim and Abdellah Saif.

Nejmi says his younger daughter has a penchant towards thrillers. Her passion for the genre has led her to read every novel by Miloudi Hamdouchi. The father thinks his strategy of having his daughters read what they like works for all children of similar age. The youngest daughter deviates most from the family's cultural tendencies by reading in Spanish.

Moroccan poet and writer Abdelwahab Rami thinks reading should be an impetus for asking questions, as written texts are not complete truths, but are relative. He instructs his children to read interactively and focus on how to use the knowledge in real life. He encourages his children to read books by authors such as Milan Condera.

Abdelkader Chaoui, a novelist and writer, thinks of reading as a ritual to practice all year. He notes, "I don't read anything in Arabic presently, as I am busy with the translation of a work from Arabic into French, which is taking most of my time. Writers busy with academic research read in a wavy way, according to climate."

Chaoui thinks writers always prefer that their children be like them or be a reflection of their intellectual and cultural concerns in all fields, calling it a logical and natural wish. The author feels some writers wish to find some of their personal attributes in their children.

Chaoui points out children have outlets such as television and street life that go beyond the influence of the parents. He feels the evening meal is the best time for parents to reach children.

Writer Alarabi Alharthi agrees with Chaoui and adds, "Encouraging children to read begins at an early age and it requires a good relationship between father and son. Teaching begins verbally through reading inherited stories. Personally, I have a programme to encourage my children to read: I read two pages to them every night, two pages before going to bed. We normally understand through reading the needs and penchants of the child."