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Jazz in the Arab world
The roots of fusion
Few people realise that American jazz has had a lasting impact on musical culture throughout the Arab world, laying the foundations for subsequent ground-breaking oriental fusion projects. By Amani Emad
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Waste separation and recycling in Morocco
Morocco's recycling pioneers
Morocco is exemplary in North Africa for its role in promoting the use of renewable energy such as wind and solar power. However, just like its neighbours, the country has a major problem with waste. A co-operative based just outside the capital has set out to change things. By Alexander Göbel in Rabat
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Authoritarian rule in the Arab world
Fear of change
Given their poor records in so many areas, how is it that authoritarian regimes in the Arab world manage to cling so successfully to power? In this essay, Amr Hamzawy examines how the ruling elites in the countries of the Arab spring use a mixture of oppression and fear of chaos and disorder to nip any demands for democratic change in the bud
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Attempts to decriminalise hashish in the Arab world
To legalise or not to legalise
In a number of Arab countries, people have launched campaigns to have hashish legalised. So far, their efforts have met with little success: there is still stiff opposition from both conservative politicians and religious circles. By Reda Ghoneim
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The "Hirak El-Shaabi" protest movement in Morocco
The uprising of the marginalised
For several weeks now, clashes have been raging in Morocco between the nation's security forces and members of a new protest movement, "Hirak El-Shaabi", which is calling for autonomy, social justice and the release of political prisoners in the north African country. By Mohamed Lamrabet
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Social unrest in the Arab world
Guilty of gross negligence
The ongoing protests in North Africa reveal the extent of the failure of government there. Never before have corrupt elites been so alienated from the social realities of the ordinary people, says Loay Mudhoon
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Morocco and the return of autocracy
Playing with fire
According to Moroccan researcher Mohamed Taifouri, the Kingdom of Morocco is gradually returning to its pre-2011 state, openly declaring a break from the accretions of the Arab Spring. The legacy of the 20 February Movement and all that has followed by way of a political renaissance is simply unwelcome ballast, argues Mohamed Taifouri
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Women′s rights in the Arab world
No house room for criminals
Many Arab countries have laws that grant offenders immunity from prosecution if they marry the woman they have raped. While Jordan has taken the first steps to change this controversial legal situation, Lebanon looks likely to follow suit. By Dunja Ramadan
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Morocco′s Amazigh
The long road to recognition
Morocco′s Amazigh captured a historic achievement in 2011 when constitutional measures following the country′s February 20th protests officially recognised the Amazigh culture and language. But six years on, many Amazigh are dissatisfied with the reform process and continue to complain of discrimination. By Matthew Greene
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Women in Moroccan cinema
For freedom and diversity
The Moroccan Film Festival in Berlin highlighted films made by women or dealing with women's issues. In interview with Elizabeth Grenier, the director of the Moroccan Cinema Centre revealed what he found most fascinating about the movies in the programme
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Women in Moroccan cinema
Included in the Moroccan Film Festival now taking place at the Babylon Cinema in Berlin, these movies feature the stories of women or were directed by female filmmakers – and depict the many challenges women face in the country. By Elizabeth Grenier
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Morocco's monarchy and the conflict with the PJD
All power to the palace
After a five-month deadlock during which Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane was unable to form a coalition government, he has been ousted by King Mohammed VI, showing his increasing unwillingness to tolerate any ruler beside himself. An analysis by Moroccan dissident and journalist Ali Anouzla