MOROCCO

RELIGION AND LANGUAGE

• Muslim is the major religion.
• The official language is Arabic.
• French is used for business, government, and diplomacy.

MAJOR PROBLEMS

• Sex trafficking
• Illicit drugs: hashish, cocaine, and cannabis
• Disputes with Spain over control of land and surrounding waters
• Illegal migration to Spain from North Africa

MOROCCAN VALUES

• Personal honor is very important to Moroccans.
• They get self-worth from how other's see them.
• Their honor and dignity reflects on their family as well as themselves.

HSHUMA

• If a Moroccan shames their family they will be shunned.
• This is called Hshuma.

FAMILY

• Family is very important to Moroccans.
• Including immediate and extended family.

FOOD

• Meals are generally served at a knee-high round table.
• Bread is eaten at every meal and usually used as a utensil.
• The midday meal is their main meal.
• It is important to Moroccans to eat meals with family.
• Pork and alcohol consumption is considered Haraam.

DRINKS

• The most popular drink in Morocco is green tea with mint.
• Making good mint tea is considered an art form in Morocco.

MOROCCAN DRESS

• Moroccans dress very modest.
• It is custom for women to cover legs and arms.
• It is common for women to wear head scarves.
• It is customary to take off your shoes before entering one's house.

TRADITIONAL MUSIC STYLES INCLUDE:

• Berber folk music
• Classical sufi music
• Gnawa (mystical) music

POPULAR MUSIC

• Raï (Moroccan rock music)
• Chaabi folk music

DANCE

• Moroccan folklore dance is a celebration of life and tradition

GOVERNMENT

• Mohammed VI has been king since July 23, 1999
• Abdelillah Benkirane has been Prime Minister since Nov 29, 2011.(part of justice development party)
• Gov't is paralimentary constitutional monarchy whereby the Prime Minister is head of gov't.
• They have a Legislative, Judicial, and executive branch.