馃嚥馃嚘MoroccoNorth Africa
Ali Bin Towar's immersive bicycle journey through Morocco fosters cultural understanding
via Le Matin7 min read
Qatari adventurer, presenter, and documentarian Ali Bin Towar embarked on an immersive bicycle journey across Morocco, documented in a film aired on Al Jazeera Documentary. This project, created in partnership with the "Years of Culture" initiative, extends the legacy of the Qatar-Morocco 2024 Cultural Year, aiming to build human, artistic, and heritage bridges between the two nations. Traveling from Tangier to Chefchaouen, Fes, Rabat, and Marrakech, Bin Towar's slow-paced cycling allowed for deep engagement with historians, artisans, academics, cultural figures, and residents, revealing an intimate Morocco beyond common stereotypes. The documentary highlights the country's rich identity, shaped by Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian, African, Mediterranean, and Islamic influences, showcasing how traditions interact with modernity. Ahmed Mahfouz, General Manager of Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, emphasized the documentary's role in fostering understanding between cultures, aligning with the "Years of Culture" initiative's commitment to authentic human stories. Bin Towar noted that cycling facilitates a more present and attentive approach, allowing for spontaneous interactions and a deeper understanding of the country from within. He stressed that the human dimension was central to the experience, with conversations and the hospitality of locals being the most memorable aspects. The slow pace fostered genuine connections, allowing for encounters with people who might otherwise have bee
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Matin.
Must ReadThe Tiznit-Dakhla expressway in Morocco has been named the "President Donald J. Trump Highway." Former US President Donald J. Trump announced this on his Truth Social network, expressing gratitude to His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, and hope to travel the road soon. This renaming follows the US recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara under Trump's presidency. The 1,055-kilometer highway is a significant infrastructure project in Morocco and a major transport corridor in Africa. It is central to the economic development of the Southern Provinces, enhancing national connectivity and Morocco's role as a link between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The nearly one-billion-dollar investment connects Tiznit to Dakhla, passing through key cities in the Southern Provinces. It includes a 555-kilometer section between Tiznit and La芒youne, a dual carriageway, 16 engineering structures, and Morocco's longest viaduct. The highway improves travel and freight transport, boosting economic attractiveness and trade between the north and south of the Kingdom. It also supports the development of the future Dakhla Atlantic port, aiming to be a leading logistics platform on the African Atlantic coast. The highway aligns with the Royal Initiative to provide Sahel states with strategic access to the Atlantic Ocean, strengthening ties between the Southern Provinces and Sahelian countries, and positioning Morocco as a gateway to African and international markets. This naming als
Moroccan talent Brahim Rabbaj, 17, has participated in recent first-team training sessions at Chelsea under the direction of Xabi Alonso. Images shared on social media show Rabbaj training alongside senior players. While this integration does not guarantee a permanent promotion, it signals strong confidence from the club's technical staff and sporting management. Born in January 2009, Rabbaj is considered one of Chelsea's most promising academy players, having joined from Crystal Palace in 2021. He can play as an attacking midfielder or on the wings. Rabbaj was also a key player for the Moroccan national team, contributing to the Atlas Cubs' victory in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in 2025, where his performances solidified his status as a major talent in Moroccan football. His progress at Chelsea is being closely watched by both the English club and other European teams.
FC Barcelona has reached an agreement with 17-year-old Moroccan midfielder Mahdi El Maimouni for his integration into the club's youth category. According to a statement released by Bar莽a on its social networks, El Maimouni will initially join the Catalan club's youth teams. The move is part of FC Barcelona's strategy to identify and attract young talents with high potential internationally to strengthen its training center. Depending on his development and performance, there is a prospect for him to join Bar莽a Atl猫tic, the reserve team.