Morocco

People affected by an earthquake camp outside their homes, in Moulay Brahim village, near Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. 

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake

Moroccans continue digging out victims from this month’s 6.8-magnitude earthquake in the Atlas Mountains. The death toll now stands at nearly 3,000 people. Many more have been left homeless. Morocco’s government has so far only accepted aid from a handful of countries, but Moroccans overseas are stepping up. In Spain, they’re collecting supplies to send to victims, but it isn’t always easy.

'Organizing chaos': Moroccans in Spain send aid convoys home after devastating earthquake
Three people prostrating in prayer on a mat. In the backdrop are mountains and a damaged ancient brick structure.

Tinmel — Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque — is one of the historic casualties of the earthquake

Tinmel — Morocco’s medieval shrine and mosque — is one of the historic casualties of the earthquake
The hydroponic tomato plants at Ráječek Farm rely on manufactured fertilizer to grow.

War in Ukraine sparks fertilizer crisis that may impact the future of global food production

War in Ukraine sparks fertilizer crisis that may impact the future of global food production
Palestinians react as they watch a live broadcast of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between Morocco and France played in Qatar, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022. 

As World Cup wraps, Morocco team inspires Arab unity around the world

As World Cup wraps, Morocco team inspires Arab unity around the world
Argentinian players celebrate after winning penalty shootout during the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022. 

Argentina hailed World Cup champions after dramatic win

Argentina hailed World Cup champions after dramatic win
A film screening at the FiSahara 2022 film festival

Film festival at refugee camp near Western Sahara amplifies voices of displaced people

Refugees from Western Sahara host a film festival while in exile to attract attention to their plight nearly 50 years after Morocco invaded their land, forcing hundreds of thousands of them to flee.

Film festival at refugee camp near Western Sahara amplifies voices of displaced people
The Krechba gas plant in Algeria's Sahara Desert, about 720 miles south of the capital, Algiers, Dec. 14, 2008.

Spain and Algeria at odds over Western Sahara, energy and migration

Last week, Algeria severed trade and diplomatic ties with Spain, and has now threatened to cut off coveted gas sales — which have been protected under a two-decade-old friendship treaty.

Spain and Algeria at odds over Western Sahara, energy and migration
Parents of 5-year-old Rayan walk towards the tunnel as their son's body was being retrieved, after he fell into a hole and was stuck there for several days, in the village of Ighran in Morocco's Chefchaouen province

Moroccans prepare funeral for boy, 5, who died in deep well

Mourners have begun preparations for the funeral of 5-year-old Rayan Oram, who fell into a deep well a few days ago, after his body was retrieved. The boy's plight garnered international attention and scores of people from all over the country are expected to attend the funeral to pay their respects.

Moroccans prepare funeral for boy, 5, who died in deep well
US Air Force airmen guide evacuees aboard a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan

G-7 agrees on conditions to recognize and work with the Taliban

G-7 leaders agree on conditions to recognize and work with the Taliban, but fail to persuade President Joe Biden to extend the US troop withdrawal date from Afghanistan. Also, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will meet with President Biden for talks in Washington on Thursday. And Algeria has cut diplomatic ties with Morocco.

G-7 agrees on conditions to recognize and work with the Taliban
People mainly from Morocco stand on the shore as the Spanish Army cordons off the area at the border of Morocco and Spain, at the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, May 18, 2021. 

Thousands of migrants leave Morocco for Spanish Ceuta amid diplomatic dispute

Jonathan Zaragoza-Cristiani follows migration from Morocco at the University of York. He talked with The World’s host Carol Hills about what’s happening between Morocco and Spanish Ceuta.

Thousands of migrants leave Morocco for Spanish Ceuta amid diplomatic dispute
Muslims pray in a mosque during celebrations of Eid al-Fitr holiday, a feast celebrated by Muslims worldwide, in Grozny, Russia, on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners

We asked The World’s listeners to share what Eid al-Fitr means to them and their families. Here’s what they told us.

The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners
People stand in front of a church door with protest signs on it.

‘We cannot continue to live like this': Migrants desperate to work occupy Brussels church

Up to 200 undocumented migrants, including teenagers, have occupied St. John the Baptist in Brussels since the end of January. They're calling on the government to grant them legal status.

‘We cannot continue to live like this': Migrants desperate to work occupy Brussels church
Health workers instruct a woman before taking a swab for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test.

IMF reassures COVID-19 support after hundreds of groups push back against belt-tightening measures

About 100 countries have asked the International Monetary Fund for emergency assistance during the pandemic. 

IMF reassures COVID-19 support after hundreds of groups push back against belt-tightening measures
A man prays in the deserted Habbous neighborhood of Casablanca.

Under lockdown in Morocco, Ramadan celebrations get a quiet reset

For the first time that anyone can recall, mosques in Morocco are closed for Ramadan. 

Under lockdown in Morocco, Ramadan celebrations get a quiet reset
A midshot of a woman in front of a bookshelf

The Netherlands to immigrants: Speak Dutch

Large-scale migration from Morocco to the Netherlands started in the 1960s under a guest worker program. But when Dutch officials realized that families from Morocco and elsewhere weren’t returning to their homelands, they tried to get them to learn Dutch. When that only partially worked, attitudes hardened.

The Netherlands to immigrants: Speak Dutch