Culture of Morroco

Chefchaouen/Chaouen( a city in northwest Morroco/ blue city)

Rabat city

Flag

Coat of arms

        
  Morocco is a monarchic country in North Africa. Morocco is known by the name of the kingdom of Morocco or "Al-Mamlakah Al Maghribiyah" (Arabic) which means "The Western Kingdom". The capital of Morocco is Rabat. This country consists mostly of desert and rugged mountains.

    The motto of this country is "Allah, Al-Malik, Al-Watan" in Arabic which means "God, Country, King". The official languages ​​of this country are Arabic and berber languages, sometimes there are also French. The majority and official religion in Morocco is Islam.

      Moroccan Culture is a mixture of Arabic, European and Berber Culture which refers to behavior, customs, law, education, art, etc.

Behavior

     Moroccan social behavior can sometimes be felt that there is one rule for behavior in public that is private to another. The key is wisdom. With the right wisdom, there is a lot of freedom in terms of behavior that is socially acceptable.

Laws and Customs

     In Morocco we should respect and follow Islamic laws and customs. Because in this country 99% are Muslim and 1% other religions. Local laws and customs such as:

1. Avoid public displays of affection, particularly outside the main tourist areas and near religious places.

2. Sexual relations outside marriage are punishable by law. It’s not uncommon for hotels to ask couples to show evidence of marriage at the time of check-in, and if such evidence is not available, to insist on separate rooms.

3. Homosexuality is a criminal offence in Morocco. Be sensitive to local laws and customs and avoid public displays of affection. Complaints can lead to prosecution.

4. Women, especially when travelling alone, may receive unwanted attention from men. To minimise hassle, you may choose to wear loose-fitting clothing which cover the arms, legs and chest. 

5. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, bars and in tourist areas. However, drinking alcohol in the street and anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar isn’t allowed and can lead to arrest.

6. Possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs is a serious offence and can result in a lengthy prison sentence and a heavy fine.

7. If you’re travelling to Morocco to marry a Moroccan national, make sure you have the correct documentation.

8. It’s illegal in Morocco to send passports through the post. British passports sent to or through Morocco by post or courier companies will be confiscated by the Moroccan authorities.

9. It is against the law to carry bibles in Arabic, to attempt to distribute any non-Muslim or evangelical literature, or to be involved in any such activity.

10. Avoid taking any photographs near sensitive political or military sites.

11. You’ll need permission from the authorities to fly a drone.

12. It’s illegal to possess pornographic material.

Education

       In Morocco education is one of the most important indicators of social status.

As a whole, the country has an adult literacy rate of 67%, with slightly more men than women being literate. Here, three-quarters of women cannot read or write and less than 50% of first-graders complete primary school. Schooling to age 14 is now officially mandated, and local initiatives are slowly improving opportunities for education in the Moroccan countryside.

Mohammed V University in Rabat

Hassan II Agriculture and Veterinary Institute in Rabat

  Morocco has more than four dozen Universities, institutes of higher learning, and polytechnics dispersed at urban centres throughout the country. Its leading institutions include Mohammed V University in Rabat, the country's largest university, with branches in Casablanca and Fès; the Hassan II Agriculture and Veterinary Institute in Rabat, which conducts leading social science research in addition to its agricultural specialties; and Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane, the first English-language university in Northwest Africa, inaugurated in 1995 with contributions from Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Al-Akhawayn University in Ifrane

Al-Qarawiyin University

    The Al-Qarawiyin University, founded by Fatima Al- Fihri in the city of Fez in 859 as a madrasa, is considered by some sources, including UNESCO, to be the "oldest university of the world".

Art

      Art in Morocco is art that can be enjoyed bybj its crafts which can be captured through the bright colors and bold designs that are seen in every city. The diverseness of the landscape and the intensity of the culture have been captured in many forms by artists and craftsmen. 

     One of them is wood and furniture is so intricately decorated with rich and expressive carvings.

Another popular art form is that of the colorful woven carpets that are so abundant at village markets. The strong, geometric designs and rich coloring is carefully and meticulously constructed on a manual loom by individual crafters in many of the city’s carpet houses.

There are also quite a few ornate ceramics that boast captivating mosaics which are on sale at galleries and at some markets. Usually such as sculpture, painting and calligraphy. 

     So you will be attracted by the beautiful and diverse culture of Morocco. A beautiful country with a blend of three cultures that is perfect for a vacation or just spoil the eye.