Morocco Roundup: Medical students end strike, population soars, limiting war messages

Limiting preaching about war

Morocco's government is under scrutiny for restricting what imams are allowed to preach about the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly about calls for jihad. Politicians such as socialist lawmaker Nabila Mounib have expressed concerns that preachers are being silenced regarding the Palestinian issue. While the Ministry of Islamic Affairs denies that imams are forbidden from discussing the conflict, it reinforces a ban on jihad calls, citing varied interpretations of the term. Pro-Palestinian activists condemn these restrictions, which they view as indicative of broader tensions between state authority and public sentiment. According to AP, despite Morocco normalising relations with Israel in 2020, significant protests against Israeli actions have surfaced, drawing support from multiple political factions. Historically, the government has controlled religious narratives to maintain a moderate Islamic representation, yet such regulations may drive individuals to seek spiritual guidance beyond officiated channels.

Morocco blamed for Post Ajax and Israeli Maccabi clash

Following confrontations in Amsterdam involving pro-Palestinian Ajax fans and Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters, Moroccan communities have experienced a surge of racism and hostility in Dutch media. This situation arose despite confirmation by officials that Israeli supporters were the victims, yet far-right figures like Sander Sassen and Geert Wilders have wrongly attributed blame to Moroccans, fuelling Islamophobic discourse. The mayor of Amsterdam condemned the violence without naming specific groups, eliciting backlash from right-wing supporters who posit that authorities are neglecting the issue of Muslim involvement. Such dynamics exacerbate existing prejudices against Moroccans in the Netherlands, spotlighting ongoing issues of racism and discrimination faced by minority groups throughout the nation, MWN reports.

Medical students end strike

In a significant development, Moroccan medical students have ended an 11-month strike after achieving a groundbreaking agreement with the government, marking an end to the longest student strike in Moroccan history. The National Commission of Moroccan Medical Students (CNEM) announced that the strike was suspended following a digital vote, in which 57.8% of participating students advocated for a return to their studies. As reported by MWN, the strike commenced in December 2023, propelled by concerns regarding training quality and access, and persisted despite challenges, including suspensions and police detentions. The agreement includes pledges to enhance clinical training, improve internship distribution, and address students' grievances with the intention of better equipping them for the nation's healthcare demands. Both students and officials express optimism about a more conducive academic environment and prospective advancements in medical education across Morocco.

Morocco’s population reaches 36.82 million

As of September 2024, Morocco's population has reached 36.82 million, indicating an 8.8% surge since the 2014 census. The total number of households has escalated by 26.8% to approximately 9.27 million, with the foreign resident population witnessing an impressive 71.8% increase to 148,152. These demographic transformations are projected to have substantial implications for housing, social services, and economic policy frameworks within Morocco, Arise News reports.

All Shares up 1.33%

In financial developments, Morocco's stock market has concluded positively, as the Moroccan All Shares index rose by 1.33%, accomplishing a five-year peak, propelled by advancements in the Chemicals, Holding Companies, and Transport sectors. Key gainers included Realis Mecaniques (+10.00%), Maghreb Oxygene (+9.81%), and Attijariwafa Bank (+3.33%). Conversely, notable declines were registered by SMI (-4.31%), S2M (-3.69%), and IB Maroc Com SA (-2.44%). A total of 37 stocks advanced against 17 declines. In the commodities sector, crude oil and Brent oil prices encountered a downturn, whilst gold futures experienced a rise of 1.00%. The EUR/MAD currency pair increased by 0.55%, whereas the USD/MAD remained stable, reports, Investing.com.