Belgium
Bruges City's Arabic-Language Video Sparks Political Backlash Over Integration
The political parties N-VA and Vlaams Belang criticize the use of Arabic language by the City of Bruges to communicate with residents.
Topic
Darija
Morocco
In Morocco, a lawmaker wants to eradicate French-inflected Darija
Concerned about the phenomenon of French-inflected Moroccan Darija and its impact on linguistic and cultural identity, Mohamed Baddou, a lawmaker from the Party of Progress and Socialism (PPS), has questioned Mehdi Bensaïd, Minister of Culture, Youth and Communication.
Morocco
Lebanese Star Diana Haddad Collaborates with Moroccan Singer in New Raï Single
Lebanese singer Diana Haddad offers her Moroccan music lovers a new single in which she sings in darija and adopts the raï style.
Morocco
Moroccan Official Rejects French-Language Wastewater Agreement, Demands Arabic or Amazigh
The municipal councilor of the Constitutional Union party (opposition) in Martil, Mohamed Achkour, announced his refusal to approve a partnership agreement project aimed at strengthening the city’s wastewater treatment network, on the grounds that it is written in French and not in Arabic or Amazigh, the two official languages of the kingdom.
Morocco
Moroccan Rap's Rise: From Local Pioneers to International Collaborations
In an interview with TV5 Monde , Anissa Rami, a journalist specializing in rap, discusses the origins of Moroccan rap and its evolution over time.
Morocco
Controversy Erupts Over Moroccan Dialect Wikipedia Contest
The Facebook page Wikimedia Maroc has launched a competition advocating the use of the Moroccan dialect (darija) instead of literary Arabic, which has sparked lively controversy.
Morocco
Pelé's Daughter Learns Moroccan Arabic During Rabat Visit
Kelly Cristina Nascimento, daughter of football legend Pelé, is a lover of Morocco, a country she still considers one of her favorite places in the world. Currently on a stay in the kingdom, she took the opportunity to learn darija.
Morocco
Israeli Teacher Bridges Cultures Through Moroccan Cuisine and Arabic Dialect
Ruti Ben Ami, an Israeli teacher, builds the bridge between the Arabic language and Moroccan cuisine . She dreams of real peace between Jews and Arabs.
Morocco
Lebanese Star Myriam Fares Releases New Moroccan-Inspired Song "Maalesh"
"Maalesh" is the title of the new song by Lebanese singer Myriam Fares in Darija with Amazigh sounds.
Spain
Spain Faces Deadline to Address Arabic and Darija Language Status in Ceuta and Melilla
At the request of the Committee of Ministers, the decision-making body of the Council of Europe, Ceuta and Melilla will have to rule on Arabic and darija, two languages widely spoken in the two enclaves. In this sense, a deadline has been granted to Spain.
Morocco
Moroccan Activist Advocates Bridging Classical Arabic and Darija for Education Reform
Noureddine Ayouch, who sparked a heated controversy nearly two years ago when he called for making Darija the language of instruction, is back on the offensive. The advertising professional and community activist calls for working on "establishing a bridge between classical Arabic and Darija", by integrating words from the first language into the second, so that everyone can speak them easily.
Spain
Spanish Senate Rejects Teaching of Moroccan Languages in Ceuta and Melilla Schools
The dream of the Moroccan community in Spain to see the darija and tamazight languages taught in the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla has evaporated. An amendment to the reform of the national education law aimed at their integration into educational programs was rejected by the Spanish Senate.