Search
Unlike traditional media, the internet is unstructured, unfiltered, anarchic and – most importantly – multi-directional. Its users can not only seek out the information they want but can also become providers and exchangers of information themselves. In societies where independent action is frowned…
Based in the tiny Gulf state of Qatar, al-Jazeera began broadcasting in 1996. Initially, many of its staff were recruited from the BBC which had launched an Arabic TV channel a couple of years earlier, only to close it down as a result of censorship attempts by Saudi Arabia, which controlled the…
In his 2004 State of the Union address, President Bush announced: “To cut through the barriers of hateful propaganda, a new television service will begin providing reliable news and information across the region”.
The result was al-Hurra (“The Free One”) which began broadcasting in February 2004…
ACTUALLY, there's not a lot to do in Taroudannt beyond soaking up the atmosphere. There are two markets - one selling the usual tourist knick-knacks and the other a Berber market with pots, pans and piles of brightly-coloured spices. The city lies on the Sousse plain, which makes it ideal…
One-minute guides
Where history lives on
Phoenicians, Berbers, Portuguese and Spaniards all left their indelible mark on Tangier before it passed into Moroccan hands. [Mincom-Ilaycom]
Nice place, shame about the hustlers
Go to discos for the music, but not for company. [LexicOrient]
Around the…
One-minute guides
Outstanding
There is a strange and empty feeling to Ouarzazate, but the kasbah stands out as an exquisite example of how to take care of one's heritage with style. - LexicOrient
Breathtaking
A breath-takingly and elusively varied setting: burning sands, snowy peaks, palm groves…
One-minute guides
City of drama
Its spectacular setting against the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains lingers long in the minds of most travellers, and the famous Djemaa el-Fna square provides perhaps the greatest open-air spectacle in the world. [Lonely Planet]
Medieval magnificence
The Kutubiyya…
One-minute guides
A never-ending city
As one of the most outstanding medieval cities in the Arab world, Fes has enough attractions to keep you exploring for several days. [LexicOrient]
A great spiritual centre
Powerfully compelling ... one of the world's great architectural treasures. [arab.net]
A…
One-minute guides
Pirates' nest
Essaouira has never really become a tourist trap. The narrow streets discourage cars, making Essaouira look much as it did in the days of sea pirates. [LexicOrient]
A laid-back place
The town where Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley liked to hang out is a perfect spot to…
One-minute guides
The real Casa
Forget Bergman and Bogart: no other city in Morocco is further away from the romantic orientalism of the famous film. [LexicOrient]
Commerce and religion
A modern business capital where the Hassan II mosque subtly mixes tradition with state-of-the-art technology. […
ARAB ART ONLINE: Susan Hefuna: Al Sabr Gamil (Patience is Beautiful) 2007. Ink stained on wood 140 x 170 cm. More information | Click to enlarge
