Abdelaziz Karraky
Abdelaziz Karraky is a Moroccan university Political Science professor in Rabat and a human rights activist. Karraky has also worked extensively on human development issues and on democratisation.
Opinions by this panelist
Elections are essential to democracy (Comments: 1)
Elections are an indispensable prerequisite for democracy, because they permit competition for the transfer of power and abolish individual claims over power, ensuring that it is shared. And because they institute the concept of a political contract between rulers and… more
A cultural shift must first take place for women's advancement in politics (Comments: 1)
All constitutions of the Arab Maghreb countries state - in one form or another - the principle of gender equality, and many of them had ratified the Convention on the Political Rights of Women adopted on 20 December 1952. According… more
Education in the Maghreb has not achieved its objectives (Comments: 4)
The speech of President Barack Obama in Cairo University was not only limited to developing a road map which will certainly lead to building real peace in the Middle East, but it also pointed out the mechanisms of progress in… more
Reconsidering the law governing parties (Comments: 3)
The clamor of the electoral campaign that lasted for 12 days and in which 30 parties were competing for 27,795 seats is finally over. If one reflects on the outcome of these elections, one will draw a set of data,… more
There is no law that allows kidnapping innocent people (Comments: 3)
First of all, there is no law that allows kidnapping innocent people, and forcing their families or countries to pay ransoms in exchange for their release. Many people might say that Algeria was right when it decided not to deal… more
Al-Megrahi's release was primarily done for humanitarian reasons (Comments: 1)
One of the things that has provoked many viewers worldwide this summer is probably the images that were aired by TV networks from Libya of Libyan national Abdel Baset al-Megrahi - who is accused of bombing the PAN American plane… more
Fighting extremism in Somalia and beyond cannot rely solely on force (Comments: 2)
The declaration of the African Union leaders to make of 2010 a Year of Peace and Security in the Continent prompts them to confront many challenges, including democratization, eradication of famine, and peace establishment. All these issues are interrelated and… more
Democracy has to come to Africa first before the continent can aspire to a permanent seat (Comments: 4)
The first address of the Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi to the United Nations General Assembly this year will remain a memorable event. Kadhafi is one of the leaders who protested in their own ways before the UN, like Khrushchev who… more
A real rapprochement needs to occur between Morocco and Algeria (Comments: 5)
The global popularity that football is enjoying today has turned it into a field where political, economic and social interests interact, thus making the organs supervising this sport gain a power that many international organizations do not have. This popularity… more
Said Elakhal
Said Elakhal is a Moroccan researcher in political Islam and a journalist in the daily Al-Ahdath Al-Maghribiya.
Opinions by this panelist
Local elections, a key to assessing democratic process (Comments: 1)
The local elections held on June 12, 2009, represent a key stop in assessing the democratic process that Morocco is applying under the rule of King Mohammed VI, who has adopted a social, modern and democratic project, and seeks to… more
The doctrine of takfir: A legitimization of the principle of istehlal (Comments: 0)
Terrorism perpetrated by takfir groups known as Jihadi ones, is the embodiment of subversive doctrines held by these extremist organizations. These groups are present and dynamic thanks to these beliefs that have been distorted from their historical and doctrinal context,… more
The appointment of female spiritual guides endorses the aptitude of women in religious education (Comments: 0)
The royal initiative in Morocco to appoint female spiritual guides and preachers is a very important step on two levels: - The first level: A religious/doctrinal level that puts an end to the male monopoly of religion, and recognizes the… more
Introducing the freedom of belief to the constitution is key to ensuring religious freedoms (Comments: 0)
Religious freedoms have been witnessing further restrictions in recent years in Maghreb communities, mirroring the degree and level of pressure which has been exercised by political Islamic movements in each of the Maghreb countries. Given the fact that these Islamist… more
Iqbal Al Gharbi
Iqbal Al Gharib is a Tunisian psychologist with a doctorate in anthropology from the Université René Descartes at the Sorbonne in France. She is the Director of the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and University Curriculum Reform at the University of Ez-Zitouna in Tunisia, and an advisor to the UN.
Opinions by this panelist
Cooperation is the solution for the states of the region against terrorism (Comments: 0)
Since the 1950s, international tourism followed a steady growth: 700 million people have traveled in the world in 2000, compared to 25 million in 1950. Globally, tourism is one of the top activities: It provides a third of service exports… more
What hinders Maghreb women from participating fully in political life? (Comments: 0)
Women's participation in political life has triggered many discussions by legal officials, politicians, as well as feminist and non-feminist civil society institutions in the Maghreb, and in the Arab world in general. Positions vary from supporters of women on the… more
Towards a comprehensive and multidisciplinary vision (Comments: 1)
It is striking that US President Barack Obama visited two notable institutions: Al-Azhar, which he considered a beacon of Islamic sciences for more than a thousand years, and the University of Cairo, which he considered as a fountain of progress… more
Fatwas of Istehlal: An Islam Against Islam (Comments: 1)
The Quran stipulates explicitly the unity of the human soul and stresses the human ties that take priority over all ethnic, religious, and cultural adherences. Allah Almighty says: "O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a… more
Can Maghreb expatriates living in Europe reform Islam? (Comments: 1)
As we all know, religion is also a culture. It structures the spacetime, allows the domestication of the world and represents a fermata, a destination for personal itineraries. It is a way for groups to recognize and build themselves. Muslims… more
Maghreb families adapt new technologies to Ramadan (Comments: 0)
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, and the month of divine revelation. Every year during this period, Muslims observe a purifying fast. Believers who observe the fast during Ramadan wait for sunset to eat and celebrate the… more
Religious freedom is the foundation of modernity (Comments: 0)
The Maghreb has a rich cultural diversity, as a result of many Roman, Arabic, Ottoman and European invasions and conquests. Moreover, the Maghreb's heritage has been enriched thanks to the mobility of traders and the ease of trade in this… more
Saloua Charfi
Saloua Charfi is a Tunisian professor of communications at the Institute of the Press and Information Sciences at the University of Manouba. She is also a journalist and contributes to several newspapers. Her interests revolve around information technology, human rights, media and politics. Much of her work and her writing have focused on improving women’s legal conditions in Muslim and Arab states, as well as human rights in general.
Opinions by this panelist
Are the principles of usefulness and satisfying public needs still respected in media practices? (Comments: 0)
In the coverage of the recent swine flu pandemic, the media tended to focus more on the number of victims than on prevention and symptoms. We noticed that in headlines that often announce first the number of deaths, even when… more
The necessity of an epistemological break in education (Comments: 1)
The baccalaureate exam does not only represent the end of a course of studies, but it is also a test of effectiveness for the educational policy in terms of curriculum, knowledge and pedagogical methods. The baccalaureate had been able -… more
TV reality shows: Selling dreams, not talent (Comments: 4)
Is it possible for a show that relies on fiction despite claiming being based on reality, and which seeks quick gains through excitement, to produce creativity? To answer this question, we should look at the industry of reality TV shows,… more
The power of social networks lies in their ability to create an atmosphere reflecting the feelings of the moment (Comments: 0)
Social networks, especially Twitter and Facebook, which are not older than three years, are among the most important means of communication and news sources. Facebook is the fifth most visited website in the world, and the number of its members… more
Prevention should be both political and social (Comments: 0)
The Algerian proposal that suggests putting an end to the practice of paying ransoms is raising humanitarian, political and practical issues. Is it permissible to gamble with the lives of hostages for an uncertain win in the long term? Britain… more
Acting upon education and the media for a new interpretation of the Qur'an (Comments: 3)
If we start from the rarely contested fact that the Qur'an is a text that is open to multiple and different interpretations, we can then agree with R. Barthes "that the text does not reflect reality, but it reflects its… more
Tunisia ought to adopt a new media policy (Comments: 0)
In Tunisia, streets remain dreadfully deserted for nearly two hours after breaking the fast; during this time, Tunisians watch two national soap operas. It has often been the case in Ramadan, as the national TV channel has always managed to… more
Salah Zeghidi
Salah Zeghidi is a retired executive at the Tunisian National Bank for Tourism Development. He is also a founder of the 2004 Democratic Initiative for legislative and presidential elections. A former Union founder and activist, Zeghidi has also written about human rights issues.
Opinions by this panelist
Elections should result in transfer of power (Comments: 0)
Elections in democracies are critical milestones in political life; events that emphasise the sustainability and vitality of the democratic aspect of these regimes. Elections also are the gateway to sharing power for interested citizens, whereby voters get to change their… more
Education and innovation alone will not solve problems of Maghreb countries (Comments: 1)
In the systematic speech he delivered in Cairo, President Obama tackled a variety of topics and issues in the scope of what he presented as a call to Arabs and Muslims... With regard to the part of his speech about… more
The joy at the release of the Lockerbie bomber is a testimony to the country's backwardness (Comments: 2)
The release of Libyan terrorist who carried out the bombing of the Lockerbie plane, which killed more than 200 innocent civilians, has sparked many reactions that ranged from deep resentment to jubilant joy. While many circles have expressed their disapproval… more
A cultural battle rages at the heart of democratization in the Maghreb (Comments: 0)
Elections in democracies are critical milestones in political life; events that emphasise the sustainability and vitality of the democratic aspect of these regimes. Elections also are the gateway to sharing power for interested citizens, whereby voters get to change their… more
The premise of an African seat on the Security Council is hard to achieve (Comments: 0)
The attitudes and practices of Colonel Kadhafi always stir a lot of tense and ironic responses, and his governance style itself causes surprise and bewilderment. As a matter of fact, Kadhafi is the only leader in the world to have… more
Khemais Khayati
Khemais Khayati is the Tunis correspondent for Monte Carlo Doualiya and for France 24. Previously, he wrote for al-Yom Assabeh, and contributed to France-Culture Radio’s Panorama on a regular basis. A doctor in sociology, he worked as the press director at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, and produced and hosted a show on Arab cinema on Tunis 7 Radio. He has written extensively on media in the Arab World.
Opinions by this panelist
The press should avoid sensationalism (Comments: 1)
The Maghreb press, like any other throughout the world, is fulfilling its function of informing citizens especially in crisis times, and the emergence of the swine flu pandemic is an example of crisis. The majority of newspapers has roughly respected… more
Nadia Ait Zai
Naida Ait Zai is an Algerian lawyer, and a member of the Collectif Maghreb-Egalité. She is also the President of the Information and Documentation Centre on Children’s and Women’ Right (CIDDEF). Ait Zai was deputy mayor of Algiers from 1979 to 1984.
Opinions by this panelist
Concrete steps towards healthy democracy (Comments: 0)
What can be done to guarantee a healthy democratic process during elections in the Maghreb? The term “healthy” implies that the Maghreb states, which have been engaged in a democratic process for a few years now, must act in complete… more
Parties are key to women's access to political life (Comments: 0)
This is a current issue that Maghreb women are working on, especially in Algeria. Since 2002, a new reflection emerged to look at, and determine, what prevented women from accessing political and decision-making positions. For Algerian women, although they participated… more
Mahmoud Belhimer
Mahmoud Belhimer is an Algerian journalist who was former editor-in-chief of El Khabar between June 2002 and August 2008. Since October 2008, Belhimer has been writing a weekly editorial every Monday in Algerian Echorouk Al Yaoumi. Belhimer currently lives in the Washington, DC, area.
Opinions by this panelist
Political participation for all (Comments: 1)
First of all, we should note that the election, which is supposed to be a means for peaceful change, has become a means to perpetuate the status quo. Its function is merely to perpetuate the permanent monopoly of the ruling… more
Coverage of health crises is different from coverage of regular events (Comments: 1)
The ultimate goal of media coverage is to find the truth and convey it to the public. However, media coverage of disasters and crises requires more rigor in complying with the rules and ethics of journalism, in comparison to how… more
Wherever terrorism lands, tourism leaves (Comments: 1)
Wherever terrorism lands, tourism leaves. This rule applies to the Arab Maghreb, and all countries where terrorist attacks happen, for example: Indonesia (the Bali bombings that caused 202 deaths in 2002), Egypt (the series of bombings in Luxor and Sharm… more
The credibility of the baccalaureate should be preserved (Comments: 1)
Baccalaureate exams are not the only major determinant in shaping the future workforce; the country's development policies and plans are the ones that prepare - in advance - for the production needs of the economy and the society in terms… more
The real capital is human energy (Comments: 1)
If we look at the political speeches in Maghreb countries, we'd find that they are no different than what President Obama raised in his speech to the Islamic world. However, the speech alone is not enough. If it's not accompanied… more
Istehlal is a Nihilistic Ideology (Comments: 2)
"The principle of istehlal" is part of the alien and nihilistic ideas in which terrorist groups fell in recent years. These groups have gone far in their extremism to the extent of creating an "ideological" and "religious" reference for themselves,… more
Ransom is the oxygen of terrorist activity (Comments: 0)
A sound approach on this issue compels us to understand first of all that the terrorist threat is not a mere Algerian matter, but it is purely a cross-border phenomenon, that has the same level of risk and sensitivity for… more
Setting frameworks for political participation (Comments: 3)
It's hard to talk about participation in politics and society under closed political systems. No matter how different their names and descriptions are, political systems in the Maghreb are closed ones, since various authority organs apply meta-management to society and… more
The solution lies in building an economy that produces wealth (Comments: 2)
When we address the issue of how Maghreb families will manage the expenses of Ramadan and the start of a new school year, we also have to tackle the key issue of the high cost of living and the ongoing… more
Interests Before Truth and Justice! (Comments: 1)
When we look at the decision of the Scottish authorities to release Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, we see that it was justified based on purely humanitarian grounds, given that al-Megrahi “has terminal prostate cancer and he may not live more than… more
Somalia strives for a political solution (Comments: 1)
The African Union, the Organization of African Unity, and the entire international community should have played a greater role in Somalia since the collapse of the regime of President Mohammed Siad Barre, who ran away from the country on a… more
The African voice should be heard (Comments: 6)
The request of the Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi for an African seat at the Security Council is not a new demand. In fact, similar ideas have been put forward when the debate was getting intense on the reform of the… more
We need a political bridge (Comments: 1)
The political tension between Algeria and Morocco on the official level does not necessarily reflect the nature of relations between their respective peoples. Algerians and Moroccans enjoy a warm relationship and a certain ease of communication that we may not… more
Noureddine Chaouki
Noureddine Chaouki is Director of Epidemiology and the Fight against Diseases at the Moroccan Ministry of Health. Dr. Chaouki has also worked as the Chair of Morocco’s Coordination Committee for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Turbeculosis and Malaria.
Opinions by this panelist
The media has to act responsibly (Comments: 1)
I think that the media has a prominent role in informing people objectively about this disease: stating the obvious! Given that it is a matter of defence and national security, we must treat it apart from all differences, political or… more
Mohamed Yehdih Ould Baba Ahmed
Mohamed Yehdih Ould Baba Ahmed is the publishing editor of the Mauritanian weekly Almouraghiboune newspaper, and the General Secretary in charge of administrative and legal matters at the Mauritanian Journalists Union. He also is the president of a non-governmental organisation that assists the poor and the unemployed. A graduate of the College of Law and Economics at the University of Nouakchott, Ould Baba Ahmed is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Administrative Law.
Opinions by this panelist
Swine flu, scary even if suspected to be a lie (Comments: 0)
Swine flu is causing uproar in the media these days that’s similar to the media blitz that accompanied the bird flu. Although this media momentum aims to raise people’s awareness about this epidemic, it has also spread fear and panic… more
Tourism stuck between the reluctance of investors and the specter of terrorism (Comments: 0)
Terrorism, as an intercontinental social phenomenon, is a thorny issue for all countries in the world, especially North African ones, as it has found in their large desert a safe haven and fertile ground to capture its victims and achieve… more
Maghreb women: between liberation promoters and seclusion advocates (Comments: 0)
Gender inequality is a thorny dilemma in the Arab world in general, and in the Maghreb countries in particular. Unfortunately, there are still a number of restrictions and constraints that prevent women from full participation in political life. There are… more
The future of the workforce: The implications of the baccalaureate exams and the consequences of those implications (Comments: 2)
The future shape of the workforce is based on the baccalaureate exams and their results. The repercussions are not limited merely to success or failure, but extend beyond to make the labour force bow to what does not match its… more
Educational curricula in the Maghreb region: Copying instead of innovating (Comments: 0)
In his speech addressed to the Arab and Islamic worlds, the American President Barack Hussein Obama pointed that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century, and reliance will be on them instead of traditional sources of… more
Star Academy: The bases of talent discovery should be reviewed (Comments: 5)
I personally think that it is necessary to point out that people in the world today have become a part of a whole, because of globalization which has invaded every home from inside and outside, and made it under control.… more
Mauritanian democracy, third version... Will it be the last...!? (Comments: 2)
Most observers of Mauritanian political events believe that this Afro-Arab country is on the verge of bidding farewell to the era of military coups, and that it is now preparing for the consecration of a democratic political life. The electoral… more
The State is not a tool in the hands of the majority religion to suppress religious minorities (Comments: 1)
Any guarantee of freedom that is meant to be part of affairs management of individuals and nations, whether they are religious minorities or majorities, from single or different ancestries, must take into account the religious (beliefs), economic and social specificities… more
Mohamed Bergaoui
Mohamed Bergaoui is a librarian and documentalist by training, and a journalist by profession. He is the author of several books on Tunisian tourism, namely: “Tourism and Travel in Tunisia: Regency Years” (1994), “Tourism and travel in Tunisia: The Pioneers Time” (2001), “Key Figures of Tunisian tourism (1956-2006)” (2006). Bergaoui is a specialist and memoirist of the tourism sector. He has worked with several Tunisian newspapers, and other periodicals specialized in tourism.
Opinions by this panelist
Hostage-taking: An epiphenomenon? (Comments: 0)
In recent years, tourism has become a problem area. If epidemics and other pandemics were the main evils of a time almost gone, terrorism is now the main handicap for an activity that has become over time an essential component… more
Ali Chaabani
Ali Chaabani is a Moroccan Professor of Maghreb Sociology at the Salé-based College of Legal Economic, and Social Sciences of the University Mohamed V of Rabat. Dr. Chaabani was the research director at the Institut Royal de Formation des Cadres in Rabat. He is published extensively in Morocco and abroad. He also teaches at the University Tunis I in Tunisia.
Opinions by this panelist
The role of the baccalaureate exams in shaping the future of the labour force (Comments: 0)
At first glance, it seems that we are talking about two different subjects: baccalaureate exams, and shaping the future of the labor force. So what is the relationship between these exams and shaping the future of the labor force? And… more
Moroccan political parties are unable to keep pace with citizens' aspirations (Comments: 0)
As is well known, elections are a democratic procedure applied by communities that believe in democracy, equality and respect for the views, attitudes and orientations of their citizens, and that strive to apply the principle of justice and respect for… more
Maghreb countries can greatly benefit from their expatriate communities (Comments: 0)
More than three million Moroccans live abroad, making a community that cannot be underestimated neither in terms of numbers, nor in terms of impact and roles that it can play in various fields. This community is distributed on a large… more
Ramadan and the start of school year in Morocco (Comments: 0)
This year, and probably the next two years as well, will be exceptional years for Moroccan families, especially in terms of managing their budgets, because there will be a few of the rare times when three events that entail careful… more
Sports cheering and the Algerian-Moroccan relations (Comments: 2)
Moroccan-Algerian relations, which are tarnished by the Moroccan Sahara issue, the quartering of the Polisario Front on Algerian territory, and the Algerian material, logistic, political, and diplomatic support to this front, are too complex to be eased by football, or… more
Nabila Saidoune
Nabila Saidoun is a journalist for the French-speaking daily “Liberte”, where she has been passionately working since 1995. After carrying out university studies in the Faculty of Legal and Administrative Sciences (Faculty of Law), Nabila Saidoun enrolled in a private school of journalism for three years. She then received practical training with independent newspapers such as “La Tribune” and “Le Soir d’Algerie” before settling in “Liberte” for the “National Economy” column, and specializing in the following issues: Telecommunications, Transport, Tourism and Environment. Simultaneously, Saidoun launched the project of a monthly magazine specialized in tourism entitled “Destination Algérie”, for which she is the chief editor since June 2008.
Opinions by this panelist
Star'Ac Maghreb Act II: Between national pride and revelation of talent (Comments: 9)
Secret Story, Peking Express, Star Academy, Nice People, Koh-Lanta, Big Brother and the list goes on. These reality shows that are already very popular in Western countries, are also emerging in the Arab countries and reaching the Maghreb as well.… more
On Citizen Journalism (Comments: 1)
It is undeniable that new technologies are revolutionizing our daily lives, to the extent of encouraging unsuspected attitudes in each one of us. In addition to being a social phenomenon, Facebook and Twitter will influence the conventional functioning of all… more
Women have an accessory role in religious education in the Maghreb (Comments: 0)
Traditionally, the transmission of religious culture in Muslim societies is the responsibility of men. Whether they are supported by brotherhood or depend on the mission of the State, the religious training of children and young people and decisions regarding religion… more
Between diets and overweight: Holy month of Ramadan! (Comments: 6)
During the month of Ramadan, all Muslims throughout the world refrain from eating and drinking from dawn till dusk. Fasting is beneficial for health when it's performed correctly and in accordance with basic dietary instructions. However, not many are convinced… more
Religious freedom first... (Comments: 2)
One cannot tackle the issue of religious freedoms of individuals and minorities in Maghreb societies without addressing the "technical" aspect of the problem and concealing its political side. Therefore, the real question is: Do these countries, or rather their leaders,… more
The indispensable balance between economic growth and the environment (Comments: 0)
Agreements are being concluded while other consultations are triggered, making debates between Maghreb countries go on and on. Agriculture, environment, food security, increasing grain production, saving water resources, and the fight against desertification are some of the issues that concern… more
Ahmed Aydoun
Ahmed Aydoun is a musicologist, teacher and composer. He produced many writings, shows, and conferences on music in general, and on Moroccan music in particular. He is the author of “Musique du Maroc", “La Nouba” and "Les musiques amazighes du Maroc”.
Aydoun worked successively as a professor and a director of the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Rabat, head of the division of music and choreographic arts at the Ministry of Culture, and general inspector of music education. He composed lyrical songs, children songs, classical music and many arrangements of traditional music.
Ahmed Aydoun is also a member of diverse juries, panel discussions, international conferences, as well as the artistic director of many festivals since 1982. He is also the chairman of the jury of “Génération Mawazine” since 2006.
He currently produces, prepares and presents the show “Récital” dedicated to classical music.
Opinions by this panelist
Conflict between talent and national pride is relative (Comments: 2)
TV reality shows, especially those dedicated to singing contests, have usually the widest audience: an audience that's hungry for entertainment and excitement, and which contributes through SMS voting. By playing on proximity, entertainment, and dreams, such programs have become a… more
Mouhamed Lemine Kettab
Dr. Mouhamed Lemine Kettab was born in 1950 in Ouadane, Northern Mauritania. He holds a master’s degree in English language and literature from the University of Mohammed V in Rabat. He participated in seminars and academic conferences in several American universities.
Dr. Kettab taught at the Faculties of Arts in both the University of Mohamed V and the University of Nouakchott, and at the College of Education, before he was appointed as the Director of Higher Education, then President of the University of Nouakchott. He later served as an ambassador to Mauritania for a period of ten years.
Dr. Kettab has written a number of books in English, French and Arabic, in children’s literature and other areas. He has published several studies and articles in the Mauritanian and Arab press. He is currently active within civil society organizations as Chairman of the Mauritanian branch of the Arab Organization for Human Rights, and Chairman of the Club of Mauritanian Intellectuals for Democracy and Development.
Opinions by this panelist
Social media: The New Face of Alter-Globalization (Comments: 0)
Monopolizing information, possessing knowledge, and mastering expertise have always been sources of power and thus possibilities of domination and even socio-political and psychological enslavement. Therefore, to ensure their sustainability and strengthen their dominance, all established authorities and powers have struggled… more
Istehlal, a foreign concept to Islam (Comments: 0)
The concept of istehlal, and the ideological reference it's based upon, bear no relevance to the true Islam and have nothing to do with it. The principle of istehlal, which means to violate people's lives and shed their blood based… more
Mauritanians first need to build a democratic culture (Comments: 0)
The Mauritanian society, like most other Arab societies, is a patriarchal and male dominated society in which the culture of despotism and totalitarianism prevails since ancient times; but it's different in comparison to those societies by its women's strong influence… more
Maghreb expatriates participate in the evolution of their home societies (Comments: 0)
The geographical adjacency of Europe and the countries of the Maghreb, the mutual colonisation by the peoples of both sides of the Mediterranean over the course of history and the more or less peaceful cohabitation of these peoples, the urgent… more
We should end the justice of double standards (Comments: 0)
After a long and tortuous trial of the Libyan citizen Abdel Baset al-Megrahi, who was accused of being the perpetrator of the terrible attack of December 1988 against a Pan Am aircraft, resulting in 270 victims, Al-Megrahi was convicted in… more
The Tripoli Declaration is a mere forward escape from current problems (Comments: 0)
The weightiness of any political statement or declaration depends on the credibility of its source. Credibility, on the other hand, depends on the degree of commitment of that source to a set of principles, values and behaviors, and on its… more
Maghreb countries have other concerns that are more devastating (Comments: 1)
Since its recent high-profile appearance, swine influenza has raised a great outcry around the world, and caused tantalizing terror that some are willing to attract and deal with, for reasons that are not apparent to the naked eye. But when… more
Human Development Indexes are subtle and not precise enough (Comments: 0)
The international globalized context is subject to the logic of an unbridled political and economic liberalism, that generates profound inequalities between different countries on one hand, and between different categories within those countries on the other hand. This context has… more
Rachid Jankari
Rachid Jankari is a journalist specialising in computer and communication technologies. He is the director of the company www.mit-media.ma, and a program host on www.ejournalisme.com.
Opinions by this panelist
The Emergence of Cyber-Activism in Morocco (Comments: 1)
Twitter, Facebook, blogs, podcasts... are all social networking tools that are beginning to attract Moroccan activists to assert their claims before the government and international community. The emergence of the use of these tools of digital activism is partially explained… more
Ramadan boosts TV and Internet usage of Maghreb people (Comments: 3)
The arrival of the holy month of Ramadan means abstention from dawn to sunset, with an immoderate use of new technologies and satellite TV channels. The widespread access to satellite channels and the liberalization of radio and TV channels in… more
We need liberalization and creativity to enhance Moroccan channels! (Comments: 0)
When it comes to the quality of national channels programs, Moroccans share the same view: Moroccan channels should either perk up, or cease to exist. This aspiration for change has become insistent as a result of the mounting popularity of… more
Jemal Mohamed Oumar
Jemal Ould Mohamed Oumar is a Mauritanian journalist and the producer and anchor of television news programs. Mohamed Oumar also writes for daily newspaper Sahara Media, El-Wahdawi and other newspapers. He is a member of the Mauritanian Literary and Writer’s Union, and is active in other literary groups. Mohamed Oumar is also a published writer of short stories.
Opinions by this panelist
Building a nation of institutions could contribute to democracy in Mauritania (Comments: 0)
Tackling this issue requires taking a look at the current scene in Mauritania, since the latter impacts the situation of the country in the future, including the factors that may affect the functioning of the democratic process, either positively or… more
Maghreb countries need to work together in fighting terrorism (Comments: 0)
There is no doubt that Algeria's initiative to get a resolution from the summit of the African Union Heads of State - that took place in the city of Sirte in Libya - was very important. The resolution is about… more
A return to the spirit of Ramadan is in order (Comments: 3)
The concept of fasting has undoubtedly changed considerably in recent years in the life of Muslims. After being a solemn occasion for worshiping and getting closer to God with good deeds, Ramadan has become today an occasion for celebration and… more
Maghreb channels neglect their viewers' interests (Comments: 1)
Local television channels are enduring intense competition with satellite channels that resulted from the huge media boom that the world has witnessed during the first decade of the twenty-first century. The media industry attracted many businessmen who rushed to invest… more
Maghreb countries continue to preserve their culture despite being open to foreign languages (Comments: 1)
There is no doubt that learning foreign languages, especially the languages that are known as the "living languages", has become more than necessary for the peoples of the developing world, or, according to the commonly recognized economic classification today, the… more
Mohamed Mohamedou Khattat
Mohamed Mohamedou Khattat is a writer, journalist and political analyst. The editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Nouakchott Info, Khattat is the director of the Nouakchott Information Agency.
Opinions by this panelist
President will have to command respect (Comments: 0)
It is clear that the main precondition is, first and foremost, that the first round of the presidential elections on July 18th and the second round that may be held on August 1st must be transparent, since the last presidential… more
No, in the end, justice has not been done (Comments: 1)
Justice was indeed at work when, on January 31st, 2001 in a special neutral court in the Netherlands, Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi was handed down a life sentence to be served in Greenock jail, near to Glasgow. Justice was at work… more
Looking forward to an African seat at the Security Council (Comments: 1)
For once, Colonel Kadhafi hit the spot by demanding a seat at the United Nations Security Council for the African Union, following a rotation system that will be based on criteria set by the Union itself. Even French President Nicolas… more
Politics disable everything (Comments: 0)
"If nature is threatened, so are we". This is probably what the five member countries of the Arab Maghreb Union (Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia) were thinking before expressing their willingness to adopt a common position on environmental issues… more
Tarba Amar
Tarba Amar is a Mauritanian PhD candidate in Islamic studies at Moulay Ismail University in Meknes, Morocco. Ms. Amar has taught at the University of Nouakchott, and is interested in women’s issues, Sufism, and Islamic issues. She is a published writer of fiction and short stories, as well as articles on sociology, history, and political science.
Opinions by this panelist
The religious influence of women in the Arab Maghreb (Comments: 0)
The growth of women's movements of a religious nature appeared as a phenomenon in the Arab world since the last decades of the last century; a phenomenon of which the Maghreb had its share as well. But how can women… more
Maghreb families and the spirit of Ramadan (Comments: 1)
Our relationship as a community that embraced Islam in the first half of the best century of this nation, with the revival of the month of satisfaction and mercy that was chosen by God for the revelation of the Qur'an,… more
Souheila Bourezg
Souheila Bourezg is an Algerian writer and journalist based in the Washington, DC, area. Ms. Bourezg studied Arab and English literature, and has worked as a journalist in Algeria and with newspapers from other countries of the Middle East. Ms. Bourezg also worked as a radio anchor on the Algerian National Radio.
Opinions by this panelist
What technology kills in Ramadan (Comments: 2)
Ramadan is the holy month that brings mercy, love, and goodness to the Islamic world. It's one of the most important pillars of Islam, coming once a year to bring together Maghreb families around one table, for hearts to get… more
Maghreb channels need to establish their presence internationally (Comments: 0)
I think that competition is no longer limited to the Arab world only, since there is a large audience that prefers watching western news and drama channels. Therefore, I believe that Maghreb channels should avoid imitating others and aim to… more
Intidhar Makni
Intidhar Makni is a Tunisian university professor, and is passionate about cooking and writing. She often blogs about cooking.
Opinions by this panelist
Ramadan: An opportunity to prepare unique dishes (Comments: 4)
Ramadan, the month of fasting - one of the five pillars of Islam - is also an opportunity for cordon bleu cooks to put their culinary talents to good use. In most homes, the table of Iftar - breaking the… more
Mohammed Cherkaoui
Dr. Mohammed Cherkaoui is a Moroccan doctor, and a graduate of the post-graduate management program from the High Institute of Commerce and Business Administration (ISCAE). Dr. Cherkaoui is the managing editor of the journal of medical training in oncology “Onconews”. He is also the President of the Moroccan Association of Medical Information (AMIM), and in charge of communication and media relations for the Teaching Hospital Ibn Sina (CHIS), in Rabat. Dr. Cherkaoui is the founder of the institutional magazine “Carrefour Hospitalier” of the CHIS. He is also responsible for the communication of a large humanitarian health program sponsored by the Rotary Foundation, the Moroccan Association of Thalassemia and the Rotary Clubs of Chellah in Morocco and Genoa in Italy,as well as the “Thalassemia Morocco” program. Dr. Cherkaoui is a medical columnist in the weekly newspaper “La Vie Economique”, and in several other Moroccan daily newspapers (Al Alam, L’Opinion, Aujourd’hui le Maroc, etc.), in Arabic and French. Dr. Cherkaoui is also the host of a radio show on health information and education entitled “Blouse Blanche”, on Rabat International channel.
Opinions by this panelist
Break your fast, but not your physiological and societal balance (Comments: 5)
The call to fast is an opportunity for Muslims to make a turning point in their diurnal habits, and take mental distance from the desires of their bellies and lower abdomens which are used to operate following a particular rhythm… more
Influenza A, between public health concerns and business logic (Comments: 0)
The Moroccan Ministry of Health has officially announced in early October that if an H1N1 influenza pandemic was to break out in the country, 9 million Moroccans could be affected, of which 900,000 would require hospitalization and 30,000 would die.… more
Elycheikh Ahmed Telba
Elycheikh Ahmed Telba is a Mauritanian university professor at the Nouakchott University and a PhD candidate in comparative literature and culture in Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah, in Sais, Fes. His academic background includes studies in English language and literature, as well as law. He has published several articles in various media.
Opinions by this panelist
Families between the hammer of Ramadan's expenses and the anvil of school's costs (Comments: 0)
The synchronization of Ramadan and the start of the new school year embodies a real domestic dilemma that exhausts the dwindling budgets due to the severe economic crisis. Families are compelled to prepare for two major events, with each one… more
Adel Rochdy
Adel Rochdy is a Tunisian journalist with a background in political science and law.
Opinions by this panelist
How parents conciliate between the expenditures of Ramadan and the start of the school year (Comments: 0)
Managing the family budget is not an easy task in normal times, let alone when families are facing additional costs of the different life cycles in Tunisia. Sometimes, timing is "ruthless" and has little respect for the budgets and financial… more
The Maghreb countries remain cautious while preparing for the risks of a pandemic (Comments: 3)
Knowing whether swine flu is a potential real pandemic, or a manipulation of the global public opinion in order to make huge profits requires considering two aspects, the first is purely health-focused and the second takes into account economic criteria.… more
Better governance would boost environmental preservation programs (Comments: 0)
Environmental issues are a major new challenge for the Arab Maghreb States. Global warming and its consequences such as drought, desertification, floods, re-emerging diseases, declining agricultural productivity and economic growth; are all issues that require the mobilization of considerable financial… more
The Human Development Index cannot be taken seriously (Comments: 0)
As we all know, the Human Development Index (HDI) is a set of statistics that measures the degree of development of countries. The HDI replaces the old United Nations indicator which included economic factors only. The United Nations Development Program… more
Monia Ferjani
Monia Ferjani is a Tunisian teacher of Arabic language and civilisation in Tunis. Ms. Ferjani also writes poetry, short stories and short novels. She is an active member of Tunisian civil society, particularly in the National Union of Women and the Tunisian organization for Education and Family. She also is the author of the http://myblog-wallada.blogspot.com blog.
Opinions by this panelist
The lowering of the voting age should have little impact on the upcoming elections (Comments: 1)
The decision of the Tunisian government to lower the voting age from 20 to 18 reflects a deep awareness of the requirements of the current phase. Unlike several neighboring countries, the Tunisian society is a young one, as shown by… more
Only take from the West what is useful to us (Comments: 2)
The first article of the Declaration of Principles of International Cultural Co-operation states the following: a. Each culture has a dignity and value which must be respected and preserved. b. Every people has the right and the duty to develop… more
Chema Dafdouf
Chema Dafdouf is a young Tunisian journalist, who received her degree from the Institut de Presse et Sciences de l’Information (IPSI).
Opinions by this panelist
At the Crossroads (Comments: 2)
For the first time since Tunisia's independence in 1956, young people aged 18 will participate in the presidential and legislative elections to be held next October. It is not an easy task for political parties and candidates to attract half… more
Sofiene Ben Hamida
Sofiene Ben Hamida is a Tunisian journalist who has worked in several Tunisian newspapers and foreign wire services, such as Kuwait’s KUNA, and France Inter. Ben Hamida is also a former professor at the Institut de Presse et Sciences de l’Information. Ben Hamida has been involved in human rights issues and has authored several papers on the issue.
Opinions by this panelist
Lowering the voting age in Tunisia is an investment... in the long-term (Comments: 0)
The Tunisian government's decision to lower the voting age to 18 years can be considered a long-term investment that will not have any direct impact on the presidential and legislative elections that will take place next October. The decision of… more
The African Union and the Tripoli Declaration: An empty hand has nothing to give (Comments: 0)
An old Arab proverb states that "an empty hand has nothing to give". This saying perfectly fits the African Union, which declared the coming year to be a year of peace and security on the black continent. The participants in… more
Mohammed Guertili
Mohammed Guertili is the president of Khemisset’s team. He is a former member of the Moroccan Football Federation, and was in charge of fighting violence in stadiums.
Opinions by this panelist
Fighting Riots in Stadiums (Comments: 1)
Sports riots are an emerging social and psychological phenomena in many contemporary societies. This has become a major threat, given the aggressive behaviors that are carried out within the scope of a well-knitted strategy with goals unrelated to sports. However,… more
Kalthoum Benalgia
Kalthoum Benalgia is a Tunisian sports journalist at the Agence Tunis Afrique Presse. She has reported on several national and international sporting events, such as the 2001 Mediterranean games, the 2004 Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, the 2005 World Handball tournament, or the 2009 World Handball Championship in Croatia. Benalgia also took part in training sessions, such as the one organized by the International Olympic Academy under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee on sports violence.
Opinions by this panelist
Eradicating sports violence through prevention, sanctions, and penal solutions (Comments: 0)
Football violence is an increasingly worrying phenomenon of modern times that vitiates and distorts the very meaning of this sport. Fan violence affects virtually every country in the world. Brawls, stadium invasions, insults and provocation have become quasi-repetitive acts that… more
Mohamed Foily Samba
Mohamed Foily Samba is the head of the sports journalism desk at the Quotidien Nouakchott INFO. He is the former President of the Press Commission of the Basketball Zone II, Vice-President of the Press Commission of the Mauritanian National Olympic and Sports Committee, and first Vice-President of the West African Journalist Collective for Democracy (COPAD). Foily Samba has covered many international events, such as the African Junior Cups, the 2005 5th Edition of the Francophonie Games, the 2005 Zone II Games in Mali, and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, among other events.
Opinions by this panelist
Prevention is better than cure (Comments: 4)
I still remember the terrible images that marked the European Club Champions' Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus of Turin on Wednesday May 29th, 1985 at the Heysel Stadium in Belgium. This European football tragedy, followed by many others, illustrates… more
Messaoud Allel
Messaoud Allel is an Algerian sports journalist at El Khabar. Previously, he worked as a sports journalist for several other sports magazines and newspapers, such as Match, and Echorouk Sports, as well as Chief of the Sports Desk at Algeria News. Allal has covered many national and international sports events, such as the 2004 Arab Games, the 2006 Handball World Championship, the 2005 Mediterranean Games in Almeira, Spain, and the 2006 CAN Championship, among others.
Opinions by this panelist
Eliminating violence in sports starts with understanding its causes (Comments: 0)
The phenomenon of violence in stadiums is taking serious proportions. It has grown in such a way that it became impossible to rein in radical supporters with deterrent penalties and awareness campaigns. There are several reasons behind the spread of… more
Football bridges the Algerian-Moroccan gap created by politics (Comments: 9)
"O Algeria. We lived and experienced many things with you. We had fears and disagreements. But after a long absence, we have become friends again". This is an excerpt from one of the most inspirational songs of the internationally known… more
Baya Gacemi
Baya Gacemi is an Algerian freelance journalist and a former reporter for Express in Algiers. She has worked for several European newspapers, as well as for ARD, the first German TV station. Gacemi is also the founder of an Algerian satirical weekly.
Opinions by this panelist
Maghreb countries should first address other causes of mortality and bad life (Comments: 0)
Debates on the risks of the pandemic influenza A (i.e. swine flu) due to the spread of the H1N1 virus have reached the Maghreb countries. The Maghreb people are now well informed on global happenings thanks to satellite channels, and… more
First we must define what national interest is, then we must teach languages that can lead to the progress of society (Comments: 0)
“What do you call someone who can’t speak any foreign languages? Answer: an American.” It is a telling joke. The Americans, who rule the world, do not need to learn other people’s languages. Yet everyone learns English, the international language… more
The Human Development Index (HDI): A tool to know where we stand, or a geopolitical element? (Comments: 1)
All countries, including the Maghreb ones, eagerly await each year the publication of the UN ranking of countries according to their human development index (HDI). It is only normal that everyone is curious about their level in human development compared… more
Driss Ben Ali
Driss Ben Ali is a professor of Economics and the Director of Research at the Faculte des Sciences Juridiques, Economiques et Sociales at the University Mohammed V in Rabat, Morocco.
Opinions by this panelist
Sustainable Development (Comments: 0)
Is economic growth a good indicator of prosperity and welfare? Should we seek to maximize it? There is no theory that sets the maximum rate of growth. Yet, how can we not be delighted when growth is increasing, unemployment is… more
Social policy (Comments: 0)
Is it possible to carry out an economic policy without a social one? If we ask this question to politicians, their answer will certainly be no, since all economic policies are meant to ensure a decent life for citizens. Therefore,… more
In response to readers' demands, you can now post comments without registration.
