A short overview of the land and culture of Morocco.

1. People and Places
by Javed Mohammed
Morocco

2. Morocco Map

3. Why Morocco &Turkey are 2 of the best places to
visit in the MuslimWorld
1. They are both at the cross-roads of
two continents
2. They both have great cuisines
3. They both have a rich history and
culture
4. They are relatively inexpensive
5. Centrally located and easy to reach

4. MoroccoTimeline
700-800 A.D.
Arab conquest;
first Muslim
dynasty
established
10-17th
centuries
Dynasties
come and go
1904 - France
and Spain carve
out zones of
influence.
1912
Morocco
Becomes
French
protectorate
1956-Present
Independence
from France &
Sultan
Mohammed &
successors
become King
1884
- Spain creates
a protectorate
in coastal areas
of Morocco.

5. Morocco Fast Facts
▪ There are Approx. 36M+ people living in Morocco.
▪ Morocco is about the same size as the state of California.
▪ Morocco was the first nation to sign a treaty with the United States in 1786.
▪ Capital city is Rabat.
▪ Largest city in Morocco is Casablanca (4M+ Population)
▪ Currency of Morocco is the Dirham.
▪ Other major cities Marrakech,Tangier, Fes, Agadir, Meknes, Oujda
▪ Atlas mountains from from NE to SW and Rif Mountains located in the north.

6. Morocco Fast Facts
▪ Ethnically, Moroccans are predominately of Berber (North African
indigenous) and Arabic decent.
▪ The al-Qarawiyin in Fez is the oldest university in the world built by
Fatima al-Fihri in 859
▪ Official languages of Morocco are Berber and Arabic. French is also the
lingua-franca of the educated.
▪ Popular Moroccan dishes are couscous, pastilla, tajine, and harira, plus
lamb.
▪ Green tea with mint and sweetened with sugar is a popular beverage in
Morocco.
▪ Morocco has the fifth largest economy throughout Africa.
▪ Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the world’s seventh largest mosque.

7. Morocco Fast Facts
▪ The Moroccan national costume is called djellaba for men , women also
wear djellaba but they have another costumes such as tekchita and
caftan .
▪ Fez is the oldest city in Morocco .
▪ More than 1M Moroccans live in France and over 700K in Spain
▪ Moroccan cities commonly have mosques with beautiful towers called
minarets, market areas called bazaars, old medieval sections called
medinas and old fortresses called kasbahs and homes called riyads
▪ The largest desert in the world the Sahara, lies to the South East of the
country
▪ Ibn Battuta is recognized as one of the greatest travelers of all time
▪ Predominantly Sunni Muslim majority population

8. Region blessed with natural resources
Phosphate for next 700 years, 75% of the phosphate reserves of the world

9. 9
Globaliza
tion &
Diversity:
Rowntree
Farming
Crops cultivated
cereals (wheat,
barley, maize, rice
and sorghum), as
well as broad bean,
peas, chickpeas and
lentils

10. University of al-Qarawiyyin
▪ The oldest university and operating higher
educational institution in the world
▪ Located in Fez, Morocco.
▪ Founded by Fatima al-Fihri in 859

11. Ibn Battuta
▪ Started on his travels in 1325
▪ At 20 years age.
▪ Began with Hajj (Pilgrimage) to
Mecca
▪ Traveling continued for approx.
29 years
▪ He covered about 75,000 miles
▪ Visiting equivalent of ~ 44
modern countries (mainly
Muslim but also China, and
others)

12. Moroccan Housing
Islamic themes that make use of courtyard and simple geometric
patterns

13. Morocco 5 Cities & Identities
1. Casablanca:The Commerce Center
2. Marrakech:TheTourism Center
3. Fes:The Spiritual Center
4. Rabat:The Political Center
5. Agadir:TheVacation Center

14. Technology
▪ Major technology companies are
opening development centers and
offices in Morocco
▪ Country is gifted with a good education
system supported by government
▪ Devoxx Morocco is largest technology
conference in Africa

15. Morocco Food and Cuisine
▪ Cuisine is diverse and influenced by
Mediterranean
▪ Cuisine include rice, noodles, meat,
vegetables
▪ MoroccanTangine is famous
▪ Beverages include tea (chai, black, green)
and coffee
▪ Desserts include a variety of flaky pastries,
rich cakes and sticky sweets

16. Moroccan Hospitality towards Guests
▪ In line with other Muslim Cultures
you will find most Moroccan
people to be be very
accommodating of guests.
▪ Generous,Welcoming and
Hospitable
▪ Giving and Receiving gifts is a
part of culture

17. Music and Dance
▪ Music important in Morocco in the past
and present
▪ It is a part of performing artists
▪ Important role in local cultural events,
such as festivals, story-telling, dances

18. Weddings
▪ Moroccan Weddings have several parts to them.
▪ The Fatiha or Nikah is the official Islamic
ceremony
▪ Other aspects of the wedding are cultural
▪ Hammam day and Henna Party are for the
women
▪ On the wedding party the bride and the groom
wear e.g. 5 or 6 traditional Moroccan clothes. For
the bride they are called TEKCHITA and CAFTAN
for the groom his clothes are called JELABA and
JABADOR
▪ For every dress they set and take pictures with
the family and friends and also dance with them

19. Weddings Continued
▪ The music and dance of Moroccan
wedding is based on the region
▪ In Fez they are called ISSAWA
▪ In Agadir they are called AHWASH
▪ In Marrakesh they are called
DQAYQIYA

20. Beauty
▪ Beauty is given to all people and places by
our Creator
▪ Morocco has diversity in both places and
people from the hues and themes of each
city to the architecture and gardens that
give identity to the exteriors and interiors
▪ This photo is taken in the blue city,
Chefchaouen

21. Beauty
▪ Morocco has natural
beauty based on
simplicity and its rich
history and cultural
traditions

22. THE END
All photos are copyright of respective owners
Special thanks to Leila M’haidrat from Morocco for reviewing this presentation and providing suggestions