Khmissa Awards spotlight exceptional women

2009-09-25

Moroccans are casting their ballots to decide the winners of this year's Khmissa Awards, which honour the country's women by recognising those who excel in various fields.

By Mawassi Lahcen for Magharebia in Casablanca – 25/09/09

[Mawassi Lahcen] Nadia Bezad, President of the Pan-African Organisation against AIDS, receiving her Khmissa in 2008.

Moroccans at home and abroad have only about three weeks left to vote for candidates for the annual Khmissa Awards, which honour the country's women by spotlighting those who shine in particular fields.

Since Monday (September 21st), Moroccan network 2M has been airing programmes introducing the candidates, who this year are competing in the categories of social work, science and scientific research, administration and public services, business and entrepreneurship, and exceptional life stories.

"The objective of organising the Khmissa Awards is to honour Moroccan women in general," said Salwa Buhudo, a member of the organising committee. "By honouring outstanding women, we are trying to say that Morocco is moving forward, and that we are urging everyone to have faith in that progress and take part in it."

Moroccans at home and abroad are asked to consider the candidates' virtues, achievements and roles in the community, and then cast their votes by mail, internet, SMS or telephone.

The results of the contest, which first took place in 1998, will be announced in a huge ceremony in Marrakesh on October 17th. More than 1,500 prominent Moroccans are expected to attend the gala event, which will be aired live on 2M.

Each year, a nine-member panel of politicians, members of the media and civil society activists selects candidates from among the various recommendations and suggestions they receive.

"Every year, we name five categories for the contest and select five candidates for each award, as per a set of objective standards, at the top of which are commitment, efficiency and serving the public interest," said panel member Laila Osha.

"We highlight a new category every year," said Osha. "Last year, it was sport. In the years before, we had arts and media."

The panel member said that in 2009, "we thought of creating a special award for exceptional life stories, because in previous rounds, we noticed that many of the outstanding women were disqualified because it was difficult to categorise them, since the courses they had chosen in life were special."

This year, five candidates, all between the ages of 32 and 71, are competing within the category of special life stories, including three who made their way in life overseas.

Zahra Al Basri Al Nokrashi, the oldest candidate for the exceptional life story award, is nearly 70. She overcame illiteracy and a general lack of education to become an outstanding writer. One of her books is now being taught in Moroccan schools.

Nokrashi was forced to leave school at the age of 11, get married at the age of 15, and become a mother at 17. She felt bitter about having to leave school until the day her husband decided to invest in a library for their home. Nokrashi studied the books hard, and in the end turned herself into an avid reader. She even became a writer, releasing her first book, "Childhood in Marrakech Gardens", at the age of 60. Her third book is due to be released in 2010.

Jewish producer and director Izza Génini was nominated for the award in recognition of her interest in Moroccan cultural heritage, to which she has dedicated many of her documentaries. She produced "Nawbat Al Dhahab Wal Nour" (Sprees of Gold and Light) on Arab Andalusian music, as well as many works other on music and Moroccan popular music.

Another nominee, this one from the overseas Moroccan community, is Fadila Lenan. Her exceptional political career has culminated in holding the post of minister of culture and youth in the Belgian government. Still another woman to be nominated is Moroccan writer Najat Al Hashimi, who lives in Spain, where her writings on problems of culture and immigration have been a big success. In addition, there is Fatima Hal, the owner of the Sultania restaurant in Paris, who is known for her books on Moroccan cuisine.

The Khmissa Awards were originally linked to International Women's Day on March 8th. However, because King Mohammed VI has declared October 10th the National Women's Day, the awards are being organised in October starting this year.

Since it was established in 1998, there have been eight rounds of the Khmissa Awards. The organisers overcame various obstacles to make the awards an annual event starting in 2003, within the context of Moroccan reforms in the field of women's rights.