Tag: Records of Morocco

MOROCCO : Who is Hajar Alafifi: The Moroccan Global Leader Now Entrusted with OCP Africa

For OCP Africa, the approach is clear: deliver the right product with the right support and finance, then localize manufacturing where demand warrants it – a model already boosting margins and farm productivity.

With its eyes fixed on transforming African farming, OCP Africa has entrusted the leadership of its continental strategy to Hajar Alafifi, who assumes the role of CEO effective September 1. This strategic move brings home one of Morocco’s most accomplished international executives to spearhead the group’s ambitious continental vision.

Born and educated in Casablanca, Alafifi represents the pinnacle of Moroccan talent on the world stage. A graduate of ENCG Casablanca, she embarked on an impressive career trajectory that took her from initial positions at Unilever Morocco to increasingly significant roles across multiple continents.

Over her two-decade journey with the consumer goods giant, Alafifi steadily climbed the corporate ladder, holding key positions in London, the Netherlands, and South Africa before making her mark in Southeast Asia.

Her professional evolution included roles as Regional Brand Manager, Senior Global Brand Manager, Brand Development Director for Europe, and CMO for global brands including Sun, Domestos, and CIF, where she led billion-dollar brands across four continents.

A Moroccan executive with global impact, her international career reached its apex when she was appointed Chairperson and General Manager of Unilever Sri Lanka, becoming the first Moroccan to lead a major subsidiary of this size in the region.

Most recently, she served as GM for Southeast Asia and Indonesia Nutrition at Unilever, further broadening her expertise in emerging markets.

“This designation marks a new stage in the company’s development strategy on the continent,” said OCP Africa in its announcement, stressing the significance of bringing such accomplished talent to lead its African operations.

Leadership philosophy and recognition

Throughout her career, Alafifi has distinguished herself not merely through business results but through transformative leadership. In Sri Lanka, she implemented progressive workplace policies that achieved gender parity and introduced specialized leave provisions, while also launching campaigns against domestic violence.

Her management approach is built on three clear principles: deep cultural understanding to ensure products meet local consumer needs; rapid, responsive innovation; and authentic leadership characterized by clarity and composure, particularly during challenging circumstances.

This distinctive leadership style earned her the Global Leader of the Year Award, a prestigious international recognition celebrating the world’s most inspiring executives.

True to her collaborative philosophy, upon receiving this honor, she remarked, “This is not my success, it’s that of an entire team.”

Taking the helm at OCP Africa

The decision by Mostafa Terrab, President of OCP Group, to bring Alafifi back to Morocco represents a strategic bet on combining global expertise with deep African understanding.

She succeeds Mohamed Hettiti, who had been serving in an interim capacity, successfully maintaining operational continuity and advancing strategic initiatives during the transition period.

With her appointment, OCP Africa gains a leader who brings fresh perspective on emerging markets, having navigated complex economic environments, diverse consumer landscapes, and significant operational challenges while building trusted brands and resilient value chains.

Alafifi brings extensive experience from her tenure at a Fortune 500 international group, and the Board of Directors has expressed confidence that her proven track record in driving transformation projects in complex contexts, coupled with her commitment to sustainability and ESG principles, aligns perfectly with OCP Africa’s evolving vision and strategic priorities.

OCP Group: A global phosphate powerhouse with African ambitions

Alafifi joins OCP Africa at a pivotal moment in the parent company’s development. OCP Group, Morocco’s state-owned phosphate and fertilizer leader, has been delivering impressive financial results while simultaneously implementing ambitious sustainability initiatives.

In 2024, the Group reported revenues of MAD 96.99 billion (approximately US$9.76 billion) with a robust 40% EBITDA margin, representing substantial growth from 2023 as fertilizer sales increased and Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) exports surged by 48%. Fertilizers now comprise 69% of total revenue, showing the strategic importance of this segment.

The foundation of OCP’s global strength lies in its control of what is often cited as 68% of global phosphate rock reserves, providing long-term security of supply for Africa’s fertilizer needs.

This natural advantage underpins the Group’s ambitious “Green Investment Program” for 2023-2027, valued at approximately $12-13 billion, which aims to expand capacity while transitioning toward carbon-neutral operations by 2040.

Major milestones in this sustainability journey include the utilization of 63 million cubic meters of desalinated water in 2024 and the successful injection of the first green kilowatt-hour at Benguerir.

New capacity developments at Jorf Lasfar (sulfuric acid lines, +1 Mt DAP-equivalent unit) and a TSP hub coming online from 2025 position the Group to serve fast-growing African and global demand; in 2024 alone, TSP volumes rose 48% with notable uptake in India and Brazil.

OCP Africa: Transforming continental agriculture

As the dedicated African subsidiary of OCP Group, OCP Africa executes a distinct strategy centered on “localization”: establishing blending and production facilities close to farmers, developing country-specific product formulas, and providing services that reduce adoption risks for smallholders.

The subsidiary’s customization process begins with comprehensive soil mapping, followed by tailoring N-P-K and micronutrient balances to specific agricultural needs, and where feasible, implementing local production.

This approach has led to significant investments across the continent, including the acquisition and operation of blending facilities in Ethiopia and the development of blending units in Nigeria (Ogun, Kaduna, and Sokoto).

A memorandum of understanding and joint venture (MoU/JV) with the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority aims to develop an industrial platform for ammonia and fertilizers, while a state-backed complex in Akwa Ibom was announced at $1.5 billion, alongside approximately $43 million allocated for blending plants.

Similar country programs in Ghana, Ethiopia, and other nations are structured around value-chain partnerships with governments, agribusiness, and research organizations to scale the adoption of appropriate fertilizers for local soils.

Farmer services constitute the second pillar of OCP Africa’s strategy. Through the Agribooster program, the company delivers a comprehensive package of inputs (fertilizer, seed, crop protection), training, market off-take, and finance/insurance.

This initiative has reached approximately 600,000 smallholder farmers, achieving average yield increases of 33% across maize, rice, millet, and sorghum value chains.

Complementing this is the mobile “OCP School Lab,” which brings free on-site soil tests and training directly to remote villages, building farmer confidence and promoting proper application practices.

The impact has been measurable: independent reporting shows that in Nigeria, fertilizer use tripled with yields increasing by about 27% since 2016, while in Ethiopia, yields rose by approximately 37% while farmers’ fertilizer expenditure decreased by about one-fifth – demonstrating how customized recommendations can simultaneously enhance productivity and input efficiency.

Financing and strategic alliances form the third component of the strategy. In 2024, OCP launched an international bond roadshow (up to $2 billion) to fund its development plan and subsequently completed a $2 billion Eurobond, later expanding it by an additional $300 million. The Group also issued MAD-denominated bonds to support its capital expenditure program.

On the developmental finance front, OCP partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to establish an agri-finance platform targeting $800 million in blended capital by 2030 to scale resilient African food systems.

Energy partnerships further extend the decarbonization initiative: OCP and Fortescue announced a joint venture to develop green hydrogen/ammonia and fertilizers (with an R&D hub in Marrakesh), while a separate framework with Engie envisions multi-billion-euro investments in renewables, desalination, and green molecules for OCP’s Moroccan sites.

In West Africa, OCP Africa’s joint venture with Nigeria’s NSIA (within the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative) aims to localize ammonia/fertilizer value chains and improve input affordability at scale.

A forward-looking African strategy

Looking ahead, OCP’s African strategy aligns its industrial expansion directly with continental food-security goals.

The foundation of this approach is greener, more resilient infrastructure – solar phases nearing completion, water pipelines, and desalination to reduce dependence on hydrological conditions – while university-led soil-mapping and agronomy research (conducted through UM6P) extend the data layer into more than ten African countries.

For OCP Africa under Alafifi’s leadership, the path forward is clear: deliver the right product in the right place with appropriate support and financing, then localize manufacturing where demand warrants it. This model has already strengthened OCP Group’s margins while delivering measurable productivity gains for African farmers.

With Hajar Alafifi at the helm, OCP Africa gains not just an executive with global credentials, but a Moroccan leader who understands that performance metrics only matter when they translate to tangible social and environmental impact – a philosophy perfectly aligned with the continental ambitions of one of Africa’s most important agricultural enablers.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCAN Doctor Youssef El-Azouzi Invents First Device to Filter Blood Inside Vessels

The groundbreaking invention aims to aid those with immune deficiencies and provide treatment for chronic infections in intensive care units where antibiotics are ineffective.

Youssef El Azouzi, a Moroccan neurologist, has announced the successful development of the world’s first device capable of filtering blood from within blood vessels.

The revolutionary invention can direct inflammatory cells and certain white blood cells, potentially helping millions of people suffering from immune deficiencies and improving organ transplant success rates.

In a Facebook post, El Azouzi explained that his device “will contribute to treating tens of millions of people suffering from immune deficiencies and chronic infections in intensive care units where antibiotics are ineffective.” He added that it would “help in organ transplantation without fear of new organ rejection.”

The invention works by redirecting inflammatory cells flowing in the blood away from vessels that nourish newly transplanted organs, preventing rejection.

This mechanism was successfully tested on a 75-kilogram pig in an American laboratory, where the device demonstrated its ability to direct immune cells from the left leg to the right leg without any negative effects on the animal.

“The experiment showed that the device was able to direct immune cells from the left leg to the right leg,” El Azouzi explained in a video documenting his journey to America to register the invention. “This is the first device that controls cell direction from within the vessel itself.”

The scientific experiment involved injecting both thighs of the pig to induce inflammation before placing the device. The device’s role was to direct inflammation-causing cells to only one side, concentrating them there compared to the other side. This would demonstrate the device’s actual control over the pathways of white blood cells flowing in the blood.

El Azouzi revealed that the project cost approximately $250,000 as of March, not including effort and time. “All these resources were provided by benefactors, with no contribution from any public institution or organization,” he noted.

The Moroccan doctor is no stranger to innovation. In 2019, he won the title of best inventor in the Arab world in the 11th season of “Stars of Science” competition in Qatar. His winning invention then was a stent that regulates blood flow for heart patients, offering a potential low-cost alternative to current solutions like heart pumps.

Born in 1991, El Azouzi studied at the American School in Rabat before attending Oxford University for three years. He later moved to Boston University and eventually studied medicine in English at Turkish universities. He is the son of Mustapha El Azouzi, a Moroccan neurosurgeon.

He currently serves as CEO of Aorto Medical Company in the US, where he has been developing this latest invention through three years of hard work, design, and manufacturing.

This Moroccan invention marks a major breakthrough in modern medicine, potentially offering an effective tool for addressing immune deficiency problems and chronic inflammations, while improving the success of organ transplantation procedures.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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Youssef El Azouzi, a Moroccan neurologist, has announced the successful development of the world’s first device capable of filtering blood from within blood vessels.

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U.S.A / MOROCCO

MOROCCO : Nisrin Erradi Represents Morocco at African Cinema’s Prestigious Sotigui Awards

Moroccan actress Nisrin Erradi will represent Morocco at the 10th edition of the Sotigui Awards.

The Academy of African and Diaspora Cinematic Arts announced the list of nominees, featuring Erradi as Morocco’s representative, for this prestigious celebration of African cinema, which takes place from November 12-15 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Erradi competes alongside representatives from 19 other nations for the Sotigui d’Or, the ceremony’s top honor. Her nomination also puts her in contention for the 2025 African Public Sotigui Award.

Rising star of Moroccan cinema

Born on August 6, 1989, Erradi has built an impressive career in both Moroccan and international cinema, starting her performance in theater at age six and later studying at the High Institute of Theatrical Arts and Cultural Animation (ISADAC) in Rabat.

Erradi’s experience in ISADAC allowed her to discover her passion for cinematic storytelling through the works of American playwright Tennessee Williams.

The actress has earned recognition across multiple international film festivals.

Most recently, her role in “Everybody Loves Touda,” directed by Nabil Ayouch, earned her the “Artistic Expression” award at the 30th MedFilm Festival in Rome.

Erradi’s breakthrough came with notable performances in films including “Adam” in 2019, “Catch the Wind” in 2017, and “Jahilya” in 2018.

Her international acclaim extends beyond Europe. Erradi cemented her reputation as one of Morocco’s most promising cinematic talents by winning the Best Actress Award at the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.

This year’s edition of Sotigui Awards focuses on the theme “African Cinema Facing the Challenges of Sexual Harassment: From Indignation to Action.” The theme demonstrates the ceremony’s commitment to addressing important social issues through the film industry.

Festival director Apolline Traoré said: “For the 10 years of the Sotigui Awards, there will be many surprises. We invite you in November to see the innovations. It will be something extraordinary.”

For Erradi, the nomination represents another milestone in a career that continues to bridge Moroccan and international cinema, reflecting the growing influence of North African talent on the global stage.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO : Best U17 Youth Player: Morocco’s Ilies Belmokhtar Named Golden Kid

Ilies is making a name for himself in the football landscape, especially with the Atlas Cubs.

 Morocco’s rising star Ilies Belmokhtar has been named the best U17 youth player competing in France at the inaugural Golden Kid Awards.

Le Monde Du Foot reported that Belmokhtar is taking home a well-deserved recognition, rewarding his exceptional 2024-2025 season.

“For this inaugural edition, Ilies Belmokhtar truly shone. Gifted with genuine tactical maturity, he was one of the key architects of AS Monaco’s success in youth competitions this season,” the same source said.

Commenting on his new achievement, Belmokhtar commented that the award is a “great pride.”

“Especially to my parents, I hope they are proud of me,” he said .

The same sports-focused website recalled the triumphs the Atlas Cub has achieved with Morocco , including his U17 Africa Cup of Nations win in April.

The Golden Kid awards seek to recognize the best young developing players in France. The initiative is the fruit of L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi and streamer Isoline Almeida.

In May, Ilies Belmokhtar signed his first professional contract with AS Monaco.

Belmokhtar was born in Ivry-sur-Seine in 2008, and joined the AS Monaco Academy in 2023.

In April, the Atlas Cub was among the five players from the national U-17 team selected for the Best XI of the Under-17 AFCON in its 15th edition.

In addition to Belmokhtar, the players chosen for the Best XI include: goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch, right-back Moncef Zekri, central defender Driss Aït Chiekh, and attacking midfielder Abdellah Ouazzane.

Morocco’s AFCON  triumph came after a dramatic 0-0 draw against Mali in the final, followed by a 4-2 win in the penalty shootout, securing their spot in football history. 

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCAN Royal Historian Abdelhak El Mrini Dies at 91

Mrini was widely respected for his deep knowledge and commitment to cultural preservation.

 Morocco is mourning the death of Abdelhak El Mrini, the country’s official royal historian and former spokesperson for the Royal Palace. He passed away on Monday evening at the age of 91, after a long career serving Moroccan history and culture.

El Mrini was born in Rabat in 1934. He memorized the entire Quran at a young age and even copied 60 parts of it by hand. Over the years, he became one of Morocco’s most respected literary and cultural figures.

He held several important roles during his life, including Director of Royal Protocol and Decorations. But he was best known for his role as the kingdom’s official historian, as well as his work in preserving Moroccan heritage.

El Mrini had an impressive academic journey. He received a diploma from the Institute of Higher Moroccan Studies in 1960, followed by a degree in literature from the Faculty of Arts in Rabat in 1962. 

He later studied in France, where he earned an advanced diploma and a PhD from the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Strasbourg in 1973. He also obtained a State Doctorate in Literature from Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University in Fez in 1989.

El Mrini was also a prolific author who left behind an important literary and historical legacy. Among his most well-known works is “The Moroccan Army Throughout History”, first published in 1968. The book went through several revised editions, with the sixth edition released in 2011 and translated into French in 2000. 

He also wrote “Guide for Moroccan Women” in two parts (1993 and 2000), and “An Introduction to Modern Moroccan History” (1996), which covers the period from Sultan Hassan I to King Hassan II.

Other notable titles include “Tea in Moroccan Literature” (1999), “Mohammed V: Studies and Testimonies” (1988), and “The Hassaniyats” (three volumes published between 1975 and 1983), a collection of poems in praise of the late King Hassan II.

Throughout his life, El Mrini made significant contributions to the study and promotion of Moroccan history, and he was widely respected for his deep knowledge and commitment to cultural preservation.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO, UAE Sign $14 Billion Megadeal: Key Details on the Largest Private Investment in Morocco’s History

The pact interweaves water security, renewable energy mastery, and industrial sovereignty – binding Morocco’s future with a 1,400 km electricity superhighway, four desalination jewels, and 25,000 employment opportunities in a $14 billion choreography.

 The largest private investment in Morocco’s modern history has just been inscribed in the country’s economic annals. Yesterday, the country sealed an extraordinary $14 billion accord with the United Arab Emirates – an injection of unprecedented scale that promises to permanently alter the country’s water and energy equation, while fundamentally reshaping its infrastructure landscape for generations to come.

The ceremonial ink still fresh, the agreement binds Morocco’s government and the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water (ONEE) with a consortium of financial titans: the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, TAQA Morocco (the local subsidiary of Abu Dhabi’s energy colossus), and Nareva (the energy arm of the royal holding Al Mada).

At MAD 130 billion ($14 billion), this collaboration transcends mere commercial arrangement – it heralds a profound reengineering of critical national infrastructure by 2030.

Central to this ambitious blueprint stands a colossal 1,400-kilometer high-voltage transmission corridor stretching from Western Sahara to Casablanca, complemented by a network of sophisticated seawater desalination facilities.

These projects emerge as the culmination of meticulous diplomatic chess moves, coming just five months after King Mohammed VI’s private visit to Abu Dhabi and 18 months following his official state visit to the Emirati capital, where the groundwork for this Moroccan-Emirati renaissance was carefully laid.

Desert kingdoms understand water’s value. The consortium’s hydric strategy unfolds with architectural precision: a vast network connecting the Sebou and Oum Rabia river basins, engineered to channel 800 million cubic meters annually across thirsty territories.

The first phase of water transfer between the Sebou and Bouregreg basins became operational in August 2023, successfully diverting approximately 350 million cubic meters to the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah dam, critical for supplying drinking water to the Rabat region.

Four jewels in this water crown will rise across Morocco’s map. In Tanger, a 50-million-cubic-meter annual capacity station will quench the industrial thirst of this burgeoning port hub.

Nador’s installation, six times more ambitious at 300 million cubic meters, will transform the eastern region’s hydric calculus. The agricultural heartland of Souss will benefit from Tiznit’s 350-million-cubic-meter facility – the largest of the quartet. Completing this hydraulic network, either Tan-Tan or Guelmim will host a 100-million-cubic-meter operation to serve the arid southern frontier.

These cutting-edge desalination facilities, engineered to operate exclusively on renewable energy, will collectively produce 900 million cubic meters annually.

Notably, they will maintain competitive pricing at or below MAD 4.50 per cubic meter (excluding tax), aligning with national benchmark rates established for ongoing desalination initiatives – all without requiring public subsidies.

The electric heartbeat: Energy sovereignty reimagined

The consortium’s energy infrastructure vision is anchored by a groundbreaking high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission network spanning 1,400 kilometers between Morocco’s southern territories and its central economic hub.

This sophisticated “electricity highway” will connect Dakhla to Casablanca with a 3,000 megawatt capacity, dramatically strengthening energy distribution capabilities while catalyzing economic and industrial development throughout the corridor.

This transmission masterpiece will be fed by 1,200 megawatts of fresh renewable capacity, predominantly harvested from the sun-drenched southern provinces. The geographic strategy is to harness the natural abundance of Morocco’s desert regions, translate it into clean energy, and deliver it to industrial centers at competitive rates.

Complementing these renewable ambitions, the Tahaddart complex will undergo a renaissance. This gas-fired installation will see its capacity quadrupled through new combined-cycle units, elevating total output to 1,500 megawatts. This expansion offers crucial ballast to a grid increasingly danced upon by the variable rhythms of wind energy.

The human dividend, capital choreography, and implementation cadence

Beyond pipes and pylons lies perhaps the most valuable yield: people. This grand design promises to spawn over 25,000 employment opportunities through construction and operation, with 10,000 permanent positions taking root after commissioning.

The consortium envisions not merely infrastructure but ecosystem – a fertile soil where technology transfer blooms and local industrial expertise in desalination and renewable energy flourishes. From this terrain will grow new educational pathways and technical specializations, training the standard-bearers of Morocco’s water and energy future.

The financial architecture of this mammoth endeavor will be orchestrated by the consortium, drawing capital from domestic and international financial wellsprings. The urgency is palpable; the project’s partners have pledged to assemble elite technical minds to ensure methodical implementation through 2030.

As with all ventures of this magnitude, regulatory gauntlets must be run, particularly regarding concentration operations. Each project component will be governed by bespoke development agreements between ONEE and the consortium. The first such accord, focusing on Tahaddart’s expansion, has already materialized.

The architects of the alliance

This historic partnership harmonizes complementary strengths. Nareva, Morocco’s private electricity champion, brings 3,200 megawatts of installed capacity producing over 15 terawatt-hours annually. As Africa’s wind energy pioneer, it operates eleven parks totaling 1,810 megawatts alongside the thermal goliath of Safi (1,386 megawatts).

With extensive expertise in electrical transmission infrastructure (exceeding 300 kilometers of high-voltage lines) and advanced water engineering, Nareva currently leads the innovative Amensouss project and is constructing the world’s first exclusively renewable-powered desalination facility in Dakhla.

TAQA Morocco, publicly traded on the Casablanca Stock Exchange since 2013, delivers 34% of Morocco’s national electricity requirements despite representing only 17% of installed capacity.

With a strategic focus on desalination, renewable energy development, low-carbon solutions, and infrastructure networks, the company actively advances national energy transition objectives and water security initiatives.

Its parent organization, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (TAQA), operates as a diversified energy and utilities powerhouse with operations spanning 25 countries worldwide.

A diplomatic masterpiece

These accords signal the diplomatic renaissance between Morocco and the Emirates after a period of relative ambiguity. They physically manifest the vision sketched during King Mohammed VI’s December 2023 meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan – a blueprint for collaboration in strategically vital domains.

This official visit established a “renewed partnership” between the Maghreb and Gulf country with announcements of strengthened collaboration in strategic domains including energy and infrastructure development. 

The sovereign’s subsequent private voyage proved equally fertile, brokering peace between telecommunications titans Maroc Telecom and Inwi, ending a decade-long legal skirmish and birthing a joint venture to develop 5G infrastructure for international events including the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup.

For fifteen years, Morocco has methodically invested in renewable energy, which now covers 38% of its electricity needs, with aspirations to reach 52% by 2030. Simultaneously confronting chronic water scarcity, the kingdom has embraced desalination as salvation. This Emirati partnership accelerates both these vital transitions, binding two desert nations in a quest for resource security and sustainable prosperity.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO : ’06th Moroccan Poets Festival’ concludes

The Moroccan Poets Festival concluded its sixth edition after three days of illustrious writing and celebrating the word.

The closing ceremony was held at the National School of Crafts and Arts in Tetouan, in the presence of Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Department of Culture; Professor Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qaseer, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department at the Department; Rachid Al Mustafa, Head of the Cooperation Department in the Culture Sector at the Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture, and Communication; Dr. Youssef Al Fahri, President of the Higher School of Teachers in Martil; Mukhlis Al Sagheer, Director of the House of Poetry in Tetouan; and a large number of writers, intellectuals, and university students.

Al Sagheer pointed out that the Moroccan Poets Festival strives to innovate with each new edition, and to grow in poetry and cultural resonance in the Arab world. He highlighted that the sixth edition enjoyed a prominent official presence, alongside a public audience with a passion for poetry and art.

He explained that the House of Poetry in Tetouan, founded in 2016, affirms its tireless efforts to organise a distinguished seventh edition next year, to celebrate its tenth anniversary.

Participants in the Moroccan Poets Festival agreed that Sharjah has become a pioneering model in supporting Arab culture and actively contributing to shaping a new generation of Arab intellectuals. They emphasised that Sharjah’s cultural, intellectual, and cultural achievements over the past decades were not a coincidence, but rather the result of the broad cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness believes that culture is the cornerstone of human and societal development.

Participants believe that Sharjah’s experience represents a model to be emulated, as it has not only supported cultural production but has also strived to create an integrated knowledge environment that attracts new generations and instils in them a love of reading, thinking, and criticism. They explained that many young Arabs who have benefited from Sharjah’s cultural experiences have now become prominent voices in the fields of literature, thought, and the arts.

The second day of the festival featured a critical symposium titled “Poetry and the Performing Arts”. The speakers emphasised that when poetry is recited on stage, or combined with movement or music, it transforms into a performance art. This is where what is known as “the poetics of performance” emerges, where poetry emerges from the page and is embodied through the body, voice, gaze, and silence. They noted that at this moment, literature intersects with the live arts, providing the recipient with a multi-sensory artistic experience.

Speakers emphasised the intersection of poetry and performance, where word meets movement, voice meets silence. This is when a magic called the poetics of the performing arts is born; where the poem becomes a vibrant body, and the scene becomes a visual poem that is read by the eye and felt by the heart.

The Moroccan Poets Festival has an exceptional section, bringing the audience together with visually impaired poets at the Taha Hussein Institute in Tetouan, in a poetic and humane moment where poetry met with a number of visually impaired creatives who drew inspiration from life’s features and, from its details, wove their vast worlds.

The festival saw the participation of more than 40 poets, poetesses, intellectuals, and artists amidst a festive atmosphere of poetry and its creators. It honoured 83 students in a poetry writing workshop organised by the House of Poetry in Tetouan, in collaboration with the Faculty of Arabic Language at the Higher Teachers’ School in Martil.

Eighteen students were also honoured in the regional competition for Arabic Language Pioneers, organised by the House of Poetry in collaboration with more than 37 secondary and middle school educational institutions.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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MOROCCO: Professor Younes Nafid PhD Receives Excellence Award from Saudi Arabia’s Naif Arab University for Security Sciences

The award is in recognition of the professor’s efforts in scientific research, teaching, and online learning.

Moroccan scholar and researcher Younes Nafid received this week the Excellence Award in Online Learning from Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Saudi Arabia.

He received the award on Thursday, recognizing his academic excellence and efforts in scientific research, teaching, and learning.

Nafid is a professor in the Department of Criminal Law at the College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences in Riyadh. He also serves as an advisor for scientific research and innovation at the same university.

The Moroccan scholar authored various books and studies, and also supervised research projects and doctoral theses.

A PhD in Criminal Law and Forensic Sciences from Mohammed First University in Oujda, Nafid previously worked in  Moroccan universities as a professor, including Cadi Ayyad University and Chouaib Doukkali University.

At the award ceremony, the Saudi university celebrated the Moroccan professor and his fellows, honoring the “outstanding efforts in the fields of scientific research, teaching, and online learning, in line with the university’s strategic vision to enhance the academic environment and support the Arab security system.”

In addition to Nafid, several Moroccan professors and teachers were honored on an international scale for their efforts, contributing to enhancing research, teaching, and learning.

In January, Messaoud Ariba, a Moroccan teacher, received an award at the Global Teacher Awards in New Delhi.

Ariba was the sole representative of both North Africa and the Arab world at large, earning recognition from thousands of applicants during the ceremony.

“For me, this is not just about personal achievement but about honoring the incredible work of all those shaping education in the country,” Ariba said.

In February, Moroccan professor Anasse Bari received the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Faculty Award for 2025 at New York University. The award recognizes leadership work and commitment to justice and fairness.

In a statement to Morocco World News, Bari said he dedicates the award to his fellow Moroccans.

“Every day in my classroom, I encourage my students to use the skills they have learned at New York University to serve the world,” Bari said, noting that his students are finding “new ways” to use AI and data science to improve the world.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCAN Iconic Artist Naima Samih Dies at 71

The celebrated vocalist started her singing career in the 1970s, contributing to Morocco’s musical heritage.

Renowned Moroccan singer Naima Samih died early Saturday morning at the age of 71 following a prolonged period of illness.

The deceased left  behind a significant legacy in Moroccan musical culture.

Born in Casablanca in 1954, Samih earned a prestigious position and popularity in Morocco and the Arab world because of her sweet voice and delicate sensibility. 

While Moroccans mourn the death of the iconic singer, fellow Moroccan artists have paid tribute to the musical icon.

Latifa Raafat wrote on her Facebook, “We share in mourning the departure of the lady of Moroccan music, the dear one who will never be forgotten, Lalla Naima Samih.

The celebrated vocalist started her singing career in the 1970s, contributing to the musical heritage of the country.

Samih’s true breakthrough came through talent discovery programs broadcast on Moroccan radio and television. Her first appearance was on “Lucky Thursday” (Khamis Al-Hazz), followed by her participation in the competition program “Talents” (Mawahib).

The artist’s journey to becoming a musical icon wasn’t without obstacles. Her father was initially reluctant to allow her to enter the world of singing, as was common for most fathers during that era.

He only consented after the intervention of influential media figures. But he insisted that his daughter should only perform modern songs and be selective in choosing quality poets and composers.

The young artist quickly rose to prominence in Morocco’s music scene, establishing herself as a leading figure alongside Abdelhadi Belkhayat and Abdelouahab Doukkali.

Through her musical and poetic choices, Samih developed a unique identity that resonated with modern song audiences in Morocco.

She collaborated with composers known for their dedication to incorporating traditional Moroccan rhythms into modern templates (including Abdelkader Rachdi, Abdelkader Wahbi, and Ahmed Alaoui), as well as with prominent zajal poets who adapted local dialects to achieve sophisticated expressiveness (such as Ahmed Tayeb Alj and Ali Haddani).

Among the late artist’s most important musical works were the songs “Jari Ya Jari” (My Neighbor, Oh My Neighbor), “Yak A Jarhi” (Oh My Wound), and “Amri Lillah” (My Life is for God).

These beloved classics helped establish her as a pillar of Moroccan musical heritage and left a stamp in the souls of her era’s Moroccans.


In the early 1970s, Samih married Moroccan cycling champion Mustafa Belkayed. The couple had one son named Shams.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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MOROCCO

MOROCCAN AMERICAN Scientist Khalil Amine Elected to US Academy of Engineering

His team’s research benefits industries such as automotive, power grids, satellites, military, and healthcare.

Khalil Amine, a Moroccan materials scientist, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering of the United States for his contributions to battery and energy storage technologies.

The recognition comes for his leadership in the field of materials science, specifically in the development of batteries and energy storage devices. 

Amine, who also serves as a professor at the University of Chicago, is among 128 members and 22 international members inducted into the NAE class of 2025.

“I am very delighted to be selected as a member of the National Academy of Engineering,” said Amine. “This is a recognition not only for me, but also for all my co-workers and collaborators around the world, as well as Argonne, which has provided an unmatched, state-of-the-art capability to do excellent work.”

Amine leads the Advanced Battery Technology team at Argonne, where his research focuses on the development of advanced chemistries, materials, and battery systems. His team’s work spans several industries, including automotive, power grids, satellites, military, and medical applications. 

A key focus of Amine’s research is the creation of new cathodes, anodes, solid-state electrolytes, and additives for lithium-ion batteries, as well as exploring “beyond-lithium” batteries that use alternative chemistries for energy storage.

Amine’s significant contributions to the field of battery technology have made him a leading figure in materials science. He holds more than 200 patents or patent applications in the field, and he was for 23 years the most cited scientist in battery technology globally. 

His accomplishments have earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Global Energy Prize in 2019. Amine is also a member of several prestigious scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Inventors, the European Academy of Sciences, and the Electrochemical Society, among others.

Born in Morocco, Amine earned degrees in chemistry and materials science from the University of Bordeaux. After his academic training, he joined Argonne in 1998, bringing with him experience gained from research positions in Belgium and Japan. 

His innovative work has played a pivotal role in advancing energy storage technologies that have far-reaching applications in today’s technological landscape.

The National Academy of Engineering, founded in 1964, provides independent analysis and advice on engineering matters, offering leadership and insight into complex global challenges. Amine, along with other members of the NAE class of 2025, will be formally inducted at the Academy’s annual meeting in October.

source/content: moroccoworldnews.com (headline edited)

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AMERICAN / MOROCCAN