Moroccan surfer Maryam El Gardoum breaks waves and barriers  (Read more...)

Morocco's BCP Group appoints Naziha Belkeziz as new CEO

Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) has named Naziha Belkeziz as its new Chief Executive Officer and Chairwoman, effective November 5, 2024. The appointment follows the retirement of Mohamed Karim Mounir, who has served the bank for nearly three decades. According to the official press release from BCP's Board of Directors in Casablanca, Belkeziz was co-opted as a board member before being named to the top position. The Board expressed confidence in her leadership, citing her professional

UN urges France to reverse discriminatory hijab ban in sports

The Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls and three UN Human Rights Council special rapporteurs urged France on Tuesday to «reverse discriminatory measures prohibiting women and girls who choose to wear the hijab from participating in sports and ensure compliance with its international human rights obligations». In a statement, the experts noted that Muslim female athletes wearing the veil «must have equal rights to participate in cultural and sporting

Ghizlane Benjelloun, 2024 UN Personality for children's mental health in Morocco

The United Nations Development System in Morocco announced on Thursday in Rabat the designation of Ghizlane Benjelloun as the 2024 UN Personality in Morocco, in honor of United Nations Day. This recognition highlights her longstanding dedication to children's mental health and advocacy for their rights, according to a press release from United Nations Morocco. «All UN agencies based in the Kingdom of Morocco recognize, through this award, the passionate commitment of a woman to the

Morocco's women's football team holds 59th in FIFA rankings, remains African top 3

Morocco's women's football team has maintained its 59th position in the latest FIFA rankings, published on Friday, and remains among the top three in Africa. Despite missing out on the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, which contribute to the FIFA rankings, the Atlas Lionesses continue to hold third place on the continent, behind South Africa (50th) and Nigeria (36th). Additionally, the U.S. team has regained the top spot (+4) following their victory at the Olympic Games, overtaking England (+1)

Moroccan referee Amal Imani Reklaoui to officiate wrestling at Paris Olympics

Amal Imani Reklaoui, a former African wrestling champion representing Morocco, is officiating at the Paris Olympic Games (Paris 2024) as a senior referee. She is one of fifty official referees, including eleven women. Selected by the United World Wrestling (UWW) to referee the wrestling competitions at Paris 2024, Amal Imani Reklaoui has demonstrated professionalism and adherence to the rules of the game since the start of the competition, according to a press release sent to Yabiladi. As a

French athletes can't wear hijab at 2024 Olympics despite IOC rule

Despite the decision of the International Olympic Committee on religious and cultural attire, France is preventing its Muslim athletes from competing at the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with their hijabs on.

Jazzablanca 2024 : Candy Dulfer & Hind Ennaira unite Jazz and Gnaoua for women

Dutch saxophonist and singer Candy Dulfer captivated the audience at the 17th Jazzablanca festival (June 6-8, 2024) with her greatest hits from the 1980s and 1990s. Closing the concert with a humanist message, she was joined by mâalma Hind Ennaira for a festive fusion of jazz, Gnaoua, and African rhythms.

From Rabat to Doha : Amazigh jewelry takes center stage

Shown abroad for the first time between February 21 and May 20, 2024, the «Berber Jewelry from the Royal Palace» exhibition closed to great acclaim from visitors to Doha's Museum of Islamic Art. This event, which kicked off the Qatar-Morocco 2024 cultural year, was organized in partnership with the National Museums Foundation (FNM) and supported by the Kingdom's embassy in the Gulf country. It was intended to be «a unique window on Moroccan culture». It also bears

Moroccan AI influencer makes Miss AI shortlist

A Moroccan influencer has been shortlisted for a new beauty pageant. However, this Instagram influencer and the nine other contestants share a very interesting feature: they are not real. The frontrunners for the first Miss AI beauty pageant are all AI-generated. The recently published shortlist includes AI influencers from all over the globe. Representing Morocco is Kenza Layli, who boasts 192k followers on Instagram. Through her content, the Moroccan AI-generated influencer can earn

Diaspo #336 : Hanna El Mokadem, French club player with Moroccan national team dreams

A club footballer in France since the age of 5, goalkeeper Hanna El Mokadem is already setting her sights high for her future in sports. For several months now, she has been representing Morocco, wearing the colors of the U16 women's national team.