The State Department stated on Thursday that the burning of a Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm has “deeply concerned” the United States.

A representative for the State Department told MAP that such protests “could foster a climate of fear that affects the ability of Muslims and members of other religious minority groups to freely exercise their right to freedom of religion or belief in Sweden.”

The source emphasized that while the US “supports the right to free speech and the right to peaceful assembly as fundamental components of any democracy,” Washington “also supports the right to freedom of religion or belief for everyone.”

“More work to foster an inclusive environment for members of religious minority groups is needed”, said the same source, who underlined the importance of “a peaceful and open dialogue on this issue”.

The burning of Quran by an extremist outside a mosque in Stockholm under the protection of Swedish authorities sparked outrage in the Muslim world.

Following the very High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, the Ambassador of His Majesty the King to Sweden was called back to the Kingdom for indefinite consultations on Wednesday, and the Chargé d’Affaires of the Kingdom of Sweden in Rabat was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates.

“This new offensive and irresponsible act disregards the feelings of more than a billion Muslims during this sacred period of the great pilgrimage to Mecca and the blessed feast of Eid Al-Adha,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates stated in a statement.

Read also: Swedish Ambassador to Morocco Claims Government Does Not Support Islamophobia

The post U.S. ‘Deeply Concerned’ over Sweden Quran Burning appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

The documentary “Morocco, Morocco”, directed by American Jackie Spinner, was screened on Tuesday evening in Washington, at the initiative of the Pulitzer Center.

The documentary looks at the origins of the name of the town of Morocco, in Indiana in the centre of the United States, and tries to examine the perception of the inhabitants of this town on Morocco and those of Moroccans on America in general, by giving the floor to children in particular.

The film, which is based on interviews with residents of Morocco, reveals the relationship that this small American town has with the Kingdom.

This film attempts to understand the links between the town of Morocco and Morocco, explained the director during a meeting held after the screening, in the presence of several journalists, university professors and members of the Moroccan community in the United States.

The 28-minute documentary explains that in 1851, a rider wearing red Moroccan leather boots approached two men clearing land in a central U.S. region.

According to local legend, the founders named their new Indiana town after the traveller’s boots.

This documentary, the second directed by Jackie Spinner, also gives an insight into the way of life in small-town America, and highlights the strong attachment of the inhabitants to local traditions and customs.

Filmed in Morocco, particularly in Casablanca, the documentary also tells the story of how the rural community in the small American town tries to maintain its identity. By giving voice to the local doctor, the sheriff, a tattoo artist and a farmer, the film gives an idea of what it is like to live in Morocco in the heart of America.

The highlight of the documentary is the scene that highlights children in Morocco and Morocco, whose ideas of each other remind us that we are all connected.

“The idea for this film came to me in July 2019, when I was driving home to Chicago with my two Moroccan-born sons,” Jackie Spinner explains, adding, “After spotting a town called Morocco in Indiana on a map, I decided to stop there one morning.”

“My older son turned to me and said, ‘That doesn’t look like Morocco,’ while my younger son asked me where all the Moroccans were. That’s how the idea for the film came about,” she continues.

Spinner spent the next two years visiting the city and filming with her crew to find out how Morocco got its name and what links there are between Morocco and Morocco.

The common thread is the mystery of the red boots, which feature prominently on the town’s welcome sign, to Morocco, where the final scenes were filmed in the midst of a pandemic.

“Morocco, Morocco” is the second documentary directed by Jackie Spinner, following “Don’t Forget Me” (2018).

Read Also:  Intangible Heritage Museum Jamaa el-Fna opens in Marrakech on Friday (FNM)

The post Projection in Washington of the documentary “Morocco, Morocco” appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Rabat – The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, Michele Sison, reiterated on Wednesday in Rabat the support of the United States to the Moroccan autonomy plan as a serious, credible and realistic solution to the dispute over the Sahara.

Following her discussions with Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Sison stated at a press conference that the United States continues to view the autonomy plan put out by Morocco as serious, credible, and practical.

The U.S. official continued that the country’s top aim is to back a legitimate process that would end the Sahara dispute in dignity and permanently and with the backing of the international community.

https://twitter.com/Marocdiplo_EN/status/1618208254865330176?s=20&t=wZ9q4mTkIQZOICylge4WdA

She claimed the meeting’s main topic was maintaining American support for Staffan de Mistura in his capacity as the UN Secretary-special General’s representative for the Sahara.

Additionally, she added, the conversations focused on “our strong support” for MINURSO’s peacekeeping initiatives and how crucial they were to maintaining the framework for the UN-sponsored peace process.

Read Also: Spain’s PM highlights the “Strategic Importance” of maintaining “Best Relations” with Morocco

The post U.S. Reiterates Support for Autonomy Plan As Serious, Credible and Realistic Solution appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

On December 02, 2022, the Head of the U.S. Diplomacy, Antony Blinken made public the designation of governments and non-state actors that commit or tolerate harassment, threats, imprisonment and killings of people because of their religious beliefs.

This year again, and for the second time in a row, Algeria is on the list of states placed by the U.S. Department of State under “Special Surveillance” for having committed or tolerated serious violations of religious freedom.

Algeria has had little difficulty in continuing, if not magnifying, the extremely serious violations and abuses committed in order to suffocate the rights derived from religious freedom within the country.

The fact that Algeria is once again on this list indicates the lack of change in the bleak situation of religious freedom in the country, as presented by the U.S. Department of State in its Report on Religious Freedom in the World for the year 2021.

The report contains a long list of violations that have been condemned and highlighted by religious and civil society leaders. For example, Catholic leaders reported that, due to what they perceived to be growing intolerance of Christians, the archdiocese of Algiers was unable to find someone willing to carve a cross on the Algiers tombstone of Archbishop Henri Teissier, who died in Oran in December 2020; many Christian leaders also reported having no contact with the National Commission for Non-Muslim Worship, despite its legal mandate to work with them on registration.

In addition, religious and civil society leaders have reported informal, religion-based obstacles to public sector employment for the Jewish community, as well as administrative challenges when dealing with bureaucracy.

The impunity with which these abuses occur is increased by the Algerian government’s lack of dialogue on this subject with its population and international partners.

Persecution of religious minorities and violations of freedom of belief in general are a genuine constant of the Algerian dictatorship, which stands out for its recurrent failures to respect human rights, dragging the country farther down a catastrophic path.

The lack of religious freedom is merely one of many apparent aspects of Algeria’s poor human rights record.

The post USA: Algeria has been listed as a country that violates religious freedom. appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

The United States reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy proposal on Monday, calling it a serious, genuine, and realistic solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.

“We continue to consider Morocco’s autonomy plan as serious, credible and realistic,” said the spokesperson for the State Department, in a statement released after the meeting held in Washington between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and his American counterpart, Mr. Antony Blinken.

Furthermore, the two parties have voiced their support for the new Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Staffan de Mistura, in the conduct of the Sahara political process, which is being conducted out under the auspices of the United Nations.

During the discussion, the focus was also placed on the “extremely important” tripartite agreement reached by the US, Morocco, and Israel, which confirmed the US recognition of the Kingdom’s full sovereignty over the Sahara.

In this regard, Mr. Bourita and Blinken “welcomed the first anniversary of the Joint Declaration between Morocco, Israel and the United States, which will take place on December 22,” noted the spokesman for American diplomacy, recalling that the bilateral partnership “long-standing is rooted in common interests in regional peace, security and prosperity. “

The two parties also emphasized the necessity of Moroccan-Israeli relations continuing to deepen.

The post Sahara: The United States reaffirms its support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a serious, credible and realistic solution appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

The partnership between the United States and Morocco is rooted in common interests for regional peace, security and prosperity, said the chief of the American diplomacy, Mr. Antony Blinken

“Secretary Blinken stressed that the long-standing bilateral partnership is rooted in shared interests in regional peace, security and prosperity,” the State Department spokesman noted, in a statement released to the outcome of talks held in Washington between Mr. Blinken and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Mr. Nasser Bourita.

The meeting was an opportunity for both sides to review a series of regional issues, added the same source

https://www.c-span.org/video/?516255-1/secretary-state-blinken-meets-moroccan-foreign-minister

In a brief speech prior to the beginning of this discussion, the head of American diplomacy praised the United States’ robust and long-standing alliance with Morocco, while reiterating his country’s willingness to strengthen it further.

“We have a long-standing partnership with Morocco, which we want to strengthen and deepen,” he said.

Mr. Bourita emphasized the secular and comprehensive links that unite the two countries, as well as the significance of cementing them further in the face of mutual challenges, in accordance with His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Vision.

“We have a very long-standing partnership and it is time to enrich it further, to enrich our strategic dialogue, our military cooperation, and defend our interests and our values in the world,” he said. Mr. Bourita cited, on this occasion, a series of common challenges, including climate change, extremism, peace and security, all of which, he said, give more relevance to this relationship.”

The post For Washington, the Moroccan American partnership is rooted in common interest for peace, security and prosperity appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price confirmed that the US will continue to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the highly disputed Sahara territory.

US State Department Spokesman Ned Price affirmed that the United States of America is still clinging to its firm position regarding the Moroccan sovereignty of the Sahara.

Ned said in a press release that America will remain engaged with all sides in support of the personal envoy’s efforts and will support a credible political process led by the United Nations to achieve stability in the region and secure it from any cessation of hostilities.

In the same context, Mr. Ned Price added “We don’t have anything to announce beyond what we’ve said”.

The post The United States continues to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over the Sahara appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

During the regional seminar of the Committee of 24 (C-24) for the Caribbean, which is being conducted in Dominica, a number of countries have expressed their support for the UN-sponsored political process aimed at resolving the regional conflict over the Moroccan Sahara.

While praising Morocco’s efforts, Chile’s delegate underlined his country’s support for a “peaceful solution, using the diplomatic resolution procedures established by the United Nations,” in order to put an end to the long-running conflict.

Syria, for its part, argued in front of the C-24 members for diplomacy and discussion as a basis for resolving the conflict.

“We truly hope that all parties to this dispute participate in constructive discussions to establish a reasonable and permanent settlement,” the Syrian representative said, adding that his nation supports UN efforts to find a mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara issue.

In a similar spirit, Indonesia underlined its support for the UN efforts to establish a “fair, durable, and mutually acceptable political settlement” to the Sahara conflict, particularly under the auspices of the Secretary-General.

Indonesia also backs the Security Council’s demands for a “realistic, attainable, and long-term solution to this situation” in its resolutions.

The C24 regional meeting for the Caribbean is taking place in the backdrop of the Kingdom’s diplomatic victories, which have sanctified the Moroccan character of the Sahara.

These include the United States’ acknowledgment of Morocco’s complete sovereignty over its southern regions, as well as the creation of 24 general consulates in Laâyoune and Dakhla.

The UN meeting also comes just a few months after the Royal Armed Forces’ nonviolent intervention, which made it possible to secure the free movement of persons and commodities in Guergarate once and for all.

The post Sahara: Several countries reaffirm their support for a mutually acceptable political solution appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Richard Norland, the US Ambassador and Special Envoy to Libya, stated Monday in Rabat that his nation valued Morocco’s “constructive” role in helping Libya’s democratic process.

However, Mr. Richard Norland said in a statement to the press after meeting with Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, that “Morocco’s role in the region to support the political series in Libya is very constructive,” and that the US is “very grateful for that.”

Thus, the US envoy described his talks with Mr. Bourita as “quite fruitful,” saying that they covered “a wide range of subjects,” including “the upcoming Libyan elections in December. “

“The moment has come to put in place the constitutional and legal framework so that these elections can take place in the month of December,” Mr. Norland continued.

The post United States values Morocco’s “useful” role in Libya appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

The Taliban announced on Sunday that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will be declared shortly from the presidential palace in Kabul.

According to the American “Associated Press”, a Taliban official said, “the movement will soon declare the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from the presidential palace in the capital Kabul.”

This came after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s departure from the country, which coincided with the Taliban’s advance into Kabul, according to local officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Abdullah Abdullah, the Chairman of the Afghan National Reconciliation Council, confirmed that “Ghani has already left the country.”

“The former Afghan president escaped Afghanistan, leaving the country in such a terrible condition,” Abdullah added.

Following the withdrawal of security troops from Kabul, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said Sunday that parts of his organization had begun to seize control of the city and its government buildings.

Mujahid stated that the movement aims to peacefully extend its authority over the capital and will not use force to do so.

He stated that sections of the Movement will maintain security in Kabul to avoid looting and theft, emphasizing that citizens’ houses would notl be jeopardized.

Despite billions of dollars spent by the US and NATO over almost two decades to develop Afghan security forces, the Taliban have captured practically all of Afghanistan in just over a week.

The Taliban has been expanding its power in Afghanistan since May, coinciding with the commencement of the final phase of American troop withdrawal, which is set to end on August 31.

The post Taliban: The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will soon be declared in Kabul appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.