marrakech express ss magazine4
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Marrakech Express is a Students' Magazine published by Marrakech MATE Regional Branch, Issue 4, Spring 2002.TRANSCRIPT
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SPRING, 2002 A STUDENTS’ MAGAZINE ISSUE N°4
Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech page 1
IMPORTANT!
Students are invited
to contribute to this
magazine. Best
writings will receive
prizes. You can
submit Your writ-
ings to Your teach-
ers of English or
send them to the e-
mail address at the
back cover of this
issue.
ear student, Every day, 5.500 children
die from diseases caused by con-
suming water and food polluted
with bacteria, according to a new
study released recently by three
United Nations agencies at the
occasion of the 27th UN special
session on children (New York
2002).
Every day, another number of
innocent children (the figure must
be more alarming than the previ-
ous one) die in wars and armed
conflicts they have neither caused
nor chosen to be part of.
So, whether we accept it or not,
children are the greatest victims
of environmental degradation and
wars, both of which are stupidly
caused by adults. This is happen-
ing almost everywhere in the
world, but the conditions are
unfortunately even worse in the
heart of the Arab world: Pales-
tine.
In the West Bank and Gaza strip,
children do continuously face the
biggest challenges to survival,
health, education and well-being.
Death is always round the corner,
simply because the barbaric Is-
raeli crackdown on the “still-
occupied territories” refuses to
make any difference between ba-
bies, children, and adults.
Another fact the Israelis refuse
to admit is that their atrocities
deprive the Palestinians of their
basic human rights, and it is
known that the denial of these
Rights is the shortest way to sow the
seeds of hatred, violence and conflict
within and between societies and na-
tions.
So in the name of all our students, who
contributed to the contents of this
magazine with a large number of poems
and essays on Palestine, we do firmly
denounce this blind Israeli barbarism,
and at the same time we call for a
world “fit for children” everywhere on
our planet, because “a world fit for
children is fit for everyone.” We do
also insist on the fact that children
should not only be seen, but they
should also be heard, especially when
they raise their voices to tell us:
“we are not the sources of problems,
we are the resources that are
needed to resolve them; we are not
expenses, we are investments; we
are not just young people, we are
people and citizens of this world.
You call us future, but we are the
present.”*
And because we believe that “actions
speak louder than words,” we call on
our Arab people in general and our stu-
dents in particular to be more creative
in showing their solidarity with the Pal-
estinian people.
Finally, we would like to dedicate this
issue to the Palestinian children who
face the Zionist fighters, troops and
tanks with “sweet anger and a revolu-
tion of stones.”** * from the children’s statement at the UN
special session on children (2002).
**from Abdelatif Jwahri’s poem on Palestine
The Regional Board of MATE
2MARRAKECH EXPRESS2 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
Loneliness
… A week had passed, and she still felt lonely. At that rainy night, she stood near the
window, meditating on the rain and looking at the street that was lonely and mournful
like her.
Poor thing! She had lived lonely after her parents’ death, but when she found the person
who would break her loneliness, she felt as if she had been born again. Now at that sad
night, she lived alone after her husband’s trip to another country on business. What
would she do?
The sound of the rain broke the deep silence and
savage loneliness. She did not know why that
night was particularly frightening, but in that
fear, there was more tranquillity than the other
nights.
The rain ceased to fall. Now, she was standing
near the chimney, meditating on the fire and lis-
tening to the sound of wood being burnt. A voice
of a man was heard breaking the silence. She
was confused and frightened. “What if he broke
into the house and her husband is not there?”
She thought. While she was still wondering what
to do, a shadow was hurrying towards the front door. When he opened it, she found out
that it was her husband. She ran to him and broke into tears. He calmed her down and
smiled to her as usual. She stopped crying and went to bed with a big smile on her face.
Samira Chaouki / 3LM/Preformation
page Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech 2
MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
SPACE EXPLORATION
Although space exploration is very beneficial
to mankind, it is seen as a waste of money.
In fact, space exploration is one of the mar-
vellous achievements of mankind. It is bene-
ficial to humanity in three respects. First, it
provides jobs, and helps solving the problem
of unemployment. Second, it improves ser-
vices. And third, it answers the desire of hu-
mans to learn. Thanks to space exploration,
scientists have managed
to explore other planets.
On the other hand, space exploration
can be seen as a waste of money. Its
biggest disadvantage people’s problems
on Earth. For example, people suffer
from poverty, illnesses, unemployment
and famine in countries like Somalia
and Ethiopia.
To sum up, money should be spent on
Earth first, and then on space.
By Khadija Chafiqi
3MARRAKECH EXPRESS3 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
To The Rich
Do you forget or ignore
That your wealth is given by God?
Do you forget or ignore
That your money is offered by God?
Why are you proud of your wealth?
Why are you proud of your health?
Don’t be tempted by earthly life,
Take Qaroun as a model.
Beware of the wiles of Satan,
And know that money is his weapon.
Money’s passing is quick,
As rapidly as a blink.
Therefore, don’t forget the faith,
And don’t forget death.
Give thanks to God,
Be obedient to God.
By Abdelmajid Rouhi / 2LM
Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech page 3
MARRAKECH EX3PRESS3 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
National Film Festival :
The Consecration of Young Talent
The sixth National Film Festival, that
took place in Marrakech, re-emphasized
what was already suspected for sometime,
namely that Moroccan cinema has found a
new impetus through the work of its young
filmmakers.
Marrakech opened its doors wide to a
cinema that is slowly awakening. This
year’s selection of films; however, was
some what unusual, and the talent of cer-
tain filmmakers was noteworthy, starting
with that of Nabil Ayouch. The young
director, thanks to his film “Ali ZAOUA”,
shot with street urchins, was the grand win-
ner of this festival, which surprised hardly
anyone. He was awarded the main prizes
for best screenplay as well as that for best
dialogue. On French screens since March
21st, “Ali Zaoua” is without doubt one of
the best Moroccan films in many years.
Another equally talented young film-
maker is Nour Eddine Lakhmari. He won
for his short film “In The Talons Of The
Night” whose subject was the feeling of
exile and loneliness in the depths of prosti-
tution. It won the critics’ and the director’s
prize. Ahmed Boulane’s film “Ali and
Rbiaa and the Others” was unhappily
only screened for a week; it was neverthe-
less rewarded for its inherent worth. He
won the prize for Best first Film, the Press
Prize, the prize for Best Editing, and the
Best Supporting Actor for Hassan El Fad.
Faouzi Bensaidi, director of “The Wall”
and “The Elliff”, received a special men-
tion from the jury for his two short sub-
jects. “The Wall” was presented and re-
warded at Cannes last year. Besides the
quality of these works, the quantity was
worth noting. This year 15 feature films
and 17 shorts have been shown. Only 15
years ago, just three films were produced
each year. For the last five years, thanks
to government support, particularly from
the Moroccan Center for Cinematogra-
phy, the national film industry has experi-
enced an upturn mirroring Morocco to-
day, according to Mehdi Qotbi, director
of this festival. He said, “I think we are at
an important moment in our history, and
this art is a reflection of how a society
lives".
These films continue to be seen. Some
will compete next September in the Inter-
national Film Festival that will also take
place in Marrakech. Participation, there
will be a source of pride. As Andre
Azoulay recently correctly commented,
“we are seeing a renaissance, an emer-
gence and an increased professionalism in
the Moroccan cinema”.
This 6th Festival is a proof that these
filmmakers can accept the challenge of
quality and professionalism and is even
on an international level. The date is set
for next September.
Chosen by: Aouis Ouady / 3LM, OLA
4MARRAKECH EXPRESS4 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
these things that threaten our
health, our happiness, and
our civilization.
I think everyone should
contribute in the fight against
pollution. Everyone should
begin with himself. For ex-
ample, everyone ought to put
garbage in boxes and not just
throw it anywhere. We must
recycle all the throw away
garbage collector. All those
factories that pollute our en-
vironment must pay taxes. At
least it would decrease the
pollution of the air and the
water. Pollution is a problem
everyone can help to solve by
cutting down unnecessary
buying, too much consump-
tion and careless disposal of
the products we use in our
daily lives.
I know that we cannot
overcome pollution com-
pletely, but at least we can
slow down its speed by work-
ing together.
Chosen by Najat Karj/
1Sc, OLA
be disposed of. The most im-
portant example is the waste
products from nuclear power
stations.
Many people, therefore, see
pollution as part of a complex
problem, others see the prob-
lem mainly in connection
with agriculture, where new
methods are helping farmers
to grow more cereals and
vegetables on their land by
using fertilizers.
Food comes wrapped up
three or four times in packages
that all have to be disposed of.
Drinks are increasingly sold in
bottles or tins which cannot be
re-used. This, not only causes
garbage problem, but is also a
great waste of resources, espe-
cially glass, metal, and paper.
Advertising has helped this
process by persuading many
of us not only to buy things
we neither want nor need, but
also to throw away much of
what we buy.
There’s no doubt that much
of the pollution caused could
be controlled if companies,
individuals and government
were ready to make more ef-
forts. In the homes there is an
obvious need to control trash
and waste. People cannot re-
move pollution completely
because modern people pol-
lute with everything they do.
So, we must be aware of all
I have spent a long time dis-
cussing this issue with my
family, friends and teachers,
but I have not yet found a con-
vincing answer.
If you have any reply to my
question, please let me know.
Best Wishes to all.
Asmae Zrikem / 1Sc
Do We Really Lack Intelligence
And Hard Work?
Dear Friends,
I would like you to help me find
an answer to this question: How
can we achieve development in
Science and Technology?
Don’t you think that intelligence
and hard work are what we need?
Pollution Is Every One’s
Problem
Today, people all over the
world are beginning to hear
and learn more and more
about the problem of pollu-
tion, which is one of the most
serious issues facing people
everywhere in the world. So,
why don’t we think about it
seriously?
The more we buy, the more
we throw away, and the more
we throw away waste, the
worst our environment be-
comes. More and more people
produce more wastes, but this
problem is intensified by our
throw away technology, which
upsets the environmental and
the ecological balance.
Pollution is often caused by
useful goods or services. For
example, cars that cause pollu-
tion are used by many people.
People cause pollution by
throwing garbage anywhere.
While more and more new
goods are produced and made
more complex, there will be
new and dangerous wastes to
5MARRAKECH EXPRESS5 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
It gives us light at night,
By its lamps which are bright.
The wind is blowing,
The sky is glowing.
This world is splendid,
It keeps me company as a friend,
It makes me laugh,
When I get worried or sad.
By Abdelmajid Rouhi / 2LM
Some Spices for atmosphere
can lean back on cushions. The circle is
the perfect shape to accommodate a
flexible number of guests without caus-
ing discomfort. Thus, at our homes, an
invited friend can arrive
with his own friends with-
out causing problems. You
can squeeze around the ta-
ble where you just have to
add two or three more cush-
ions or you just prepare a
second round table. I have
said that our dishes are large
enough to serve twice as
many expected guests, and
we always serve two or
three main courses. This spontaneous
welcome and this pleasure in being able
to arrive unannounced without disturbing
the harmony of the dinner party are un-
doubtedly the things that most impress
visitors to Morocco.
Aouis Ouady Zerktouni / 3LM
Moroccans, friendly to foreigners, have a
reputation for generosity and legendary hos-
pitability. When they receive guests at their
table, they serve dishes worthy of their repu-
tation in abundance, superb pres-
entation and sure to excite appe-
tites on sight. The serving plate
is always large, decorated and
matched in color to the food be-
ing served. Its presentation is the
result of careful attention, the
meats and the vegetables are ar-
ranged in an artistic fashion and
enhanced by the colours of
spices, olives, crystallized lem-
ons, peppers on dried fruits.
Spices also play their role by adding warmth
to the ambience. You know that if every-
thing is not exciting, they are at least eupho-
riant and inclined to immediately induce a
sense of well being for the guests. This well
being is further encouraged by our custom of
receiving guests at a round table where they
Nature
I hear the noise of waters,
I smell the perfume of flowers,
I see greatest things,
And wonderful beings.
I hear an awful thunder,
I hear the bubbling water,
I see a high sky,
It’s a glowing sky.
Duty embraces man’s whole existence. It begins
at home where there is the duty of parents to-
wards their children and vice versa. There are
likewise the respective duties of husbands and
wives, and of masters and servants. On the other
hand, outside home there are duties of men and
women as friends and neighbours, as employers and employees, and as governors and governed.
Duty surrounds our whole life, from our birth
through our whole existence. Duty is due to
superiors, inferiors and equals. There is duty
towards men and God. Whenever there is
power to use or direct, there is duty for we are
but stewards appointed to employ the means
given to us for our own and others’ good.
Khaoula Choukrallah / 2 LM
Duty
6MARRAKECH EXPRESS6 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
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Suffering
EL Mahdia is a small and poor village
where Leila and her father lived. She was
15 years old. She was the prettiest girl in
her village. She had a yellow hair and blue
eyes. Her father was 56 years old .They
lived in a small house in poverty. Her father
had a stroke. He couldn’t move from place
to place. They didn’t have money to live
like other people.
This was why
Leila decided to
look for work so
as to help her
family and to
buy medicines to
her father, but
she didn’t find
work .
Two weeks
later, Ali, the
richest man in
the village, invited all girls and boys in El
Mahdia so as to work in his new factory.
Leila was very pleased to hear that. She
worked with great enthusiasm and eager-
ness although she faced many problems.
She was worried by her father’s health con-
dition. Besides, her work was far from
where she lived. Thus, she couldn’t look
after the father daily. She spoke to her man-
a g e r a b o u t h e r c o n d i t i o n s .
In the factory Leila met a lot of friends.
She lived with two girls. Their names were
Hafida and Mina. They got on well with
each other. To lessen her suffering, Leila
exposed her problems to her friends. A
month later, Leila received sad news. Her
father passed away. Quickly she went back
to the village to attend the funeral. As the
coffin was buried in the grave, Leila felt
lonely, sick and afraid. She could not stop
crying.
Ten days later, Ali, the manager, advised
Leila to go back to work and told her that
death was inevitable. In the long run, she
surrendered to fate and began to work. Eve-
rybody helped her so as to overcome her
psychological suffering. Her friends even
suggested that she should be accustomed to
reading the Holy Koran. Having believed all
what friends said, Leila got used to reading
the Koran and was involved in her work
a g a i n w i t h s h e e r i n t e r e s t .
At the end of the year, Ali, the manager of
the firm, decided to make a ceremony.
Therefore, he invited all the workers to at-
tend the party. Hind and Hafida went with
Leila to a clothes shop. At first, Leila refused
to go as she was penniless. They bought her
a n e w d r e s s a s a g i f t .
At the party, all workers were wearing new
clothes. Leila was a late comer. She was the
odd one out. A spokesman on behalf of the
workers spoke about everything about
Leila’s suffering and conditions. At the end
of the cere-
mony, the
manager in-
vited Leila
and had a
special talk
with her. As a
result, he
helped her
f i n a n c i a l l y
and morally.
He knew that
she was edu-
cated. So he suggested that she should teach
small children in the village.
Then she became a good teacher in
her village. She built a small school to edu-
c a t e a n d h e l p p o o r p e o p l e .
A few months later, the manager got married
to Leila and led a fantastic life. They had a
baby named Youness. Together, they helped
the poor and fought against illiteracy, dis-
eases and social ills in the village.
Aouatif boucetta / 3LM
7MARRAKECH EXPRESS7 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
Experimenting on Animals
Experimenting on animals is both positive and negative. It
is largely accepted because it has many practical benefits.
It enables scientists to develop cures for many diseases.
Also, it is not possible to develop vaccines against many
serious illnesses without ex-
perimentation.
If we don’t experiment on ani-
mals, we will inevitably have to
use humans. However, I con-
sider that human life is much
more important than that of a
monkey or a rat. I agree that we
have to respect the life of ani-
mals because it is the creation
of God, but when it comes to research in science, using
animals is the only resort.
Experimenting on animals is also the right way to dispose
of the unwanted animals in the street, which are some-
times dangerous for people.
There are enough reasons to believe, though, that this suf-
fering inflicted on animals is unnecessary. Even if scien-
tists claim that experimenting on animals is conducted for
the welfare of humanity, research sometimes might bene-
fit no one.
Hicham Ahyoud / 3LM
Jerusalem is occupied and crashed.
The Palestinians are punished.
They are homeless.
They are weaponless.
Oh! What’s a despotism
That comes from Zionism!
But, never mind!
I will protect you,
I won’t let you alone,
I will struggle with the stone,
Until the appearance of dawn,
Till the return of the pigeon.
By Rouhi / 2LM
The innocents’ blood
When will the olive branch begin to grow?
Oh! What a pity that I don’t know!
When will this rough sea get quiet?
It’s a rough sea of that horrid fight,
Which is led by that despotic vulture
Who depends on the arms of fire.
JOKES
* There were three restaurants on
the same block. One day one of
them put up a sign which said: “The
Best Restaurant in the City.”
The next day, the largest restaurant
on the block put up a larger sign
which said: “The Best Restaurant
in the World.”
On the third day, the smallest res-
taurant put up a small sign which
said "The Best Restaurant on this
Block."
* What’s the difference between a
bird and a fly?
A bird can fly, but a fly cant bird.
* Three men stranded in a desert
found a lamp. The first man acci-
dentally rubbed the lamp and a
genie came out. The genie said
they could each have one wish.
One man said, "I miss my family, I
wish I was home." The genie
granted his wish.
The next man said, "I miss my
family too, I wish I was home."
The genie granted his wish.
The last guy said, "I miss my
friends, I wish they were back."
The genie granted his wish.
8MARRAKECH EXPRESS8 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
We are all angry about what is happening in Palestine.
Should we allow Jerusalem to be in the Zionist hands? I’m
sure we will not because Jerusalem is the second holy place
for Muslims after Mecca.
We all know that the United States supports the Israelis.
Otherwise, it would have been easier for us to defeat them.
Arabs should understand that we can fight the Israelis, not
with arms, but through the media. We should show to the
whole world what the butcher Sharon and his dirty soldiers
have done and will do if we do not stop them.
Moreover, we should be cautious about the Zionist ideology, which is based on false
ideas, and claims the right for having complete control over all Palestine. We should stop
this by force and not by words.
I sometimes hope that another Salah Eddine will return to save that land. We are in need
of a man like him to say “Go Intifada”.
Mustapha Ait Bouallal / 3LM
“We have had enough”
Seas of blood, piles of corpses,
homes, schools, monuments, mosques
are demolished.
We have had enough.
The foes are widespread everywhere,
like a cactus in the desert,
like black points in white,
like a dangerous sickness in a baby.
We have had enough.
What about plants, flowers, forests
that you cut?
What about Ahmed Eddorra
that you killed?
Where are you Arabs?
Be sure that a small granule of sand
deserves sacrifice.
For each drop of a mother's tears
for each child's smile
for each old man's prayer
you have to sacrifice.
Don't be glad Israeli soldiers.
One day the sun of justice
that you have covered for a long time will shine over all Palestine. The blood that you poured from our bod-ies
will be plants and flowers. And our mothers’ tears will irrigate them And Palestine will be a paradise. So don't sleep Arabs. Don't forget we are one body. We are a necklace
if one diamond is lost the others are dull. We don't ask for charity. This is our right. Fight for your rights as Muslims, as Arabs, We have to fight for the peace of our hearts, for our dignity.
Don't be shy and afraid; you're stronger if you're united And remember that we have had enough.
Samira Chaouki/ 3LM1
“Go Intifada” Reflections on Palestine
9MARRAKECH EXPRESS9 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
The crisis in Palestine is a
big and complex one.
Many people ignore its
history and reality.
The crisis started in
1917 when Belfore prom-
ised the Israelis that they
would build their inde-
pendent country in Pales-
tine with Jerusalem as its
capital. As a result, the
Israelis began to immigrate
from Britain, the United
States of America, Canada,
Russia, and from all over
the world to the Holy
Land. As a matter of fact,
various violations of the
Palestinians' rights were
committed.
First, the Israelis ex-
pelled the Palestinians
from their own lands.
Therefore, they became
refugees in foreign coun-
tries such as Lebanon, Jor-
dan, Syria and many other
parts of the world. The
Palestinian refugees have
always claimed their right
to return to their homeland,
but the Israeli government
refuses that
because if they return, the
Palestinian population will
outnumber that in Israel.
Second, the rights to life,
and to live in freedom and
safety for the Palestinians
have also been violated.
They have always lived in
fear and horror because of
the arbitrary killings and ex-
plosions performed by the
Israeli military forces.
Moreover, the Israelis tor-
ture and kill the Palestinians
and treat them not as human
beings, but as animals or
even less, which defies the
Universal Declaration of Hu-
man Rights and all the inter-
national conventions and rec-
ommendations.
The massacres of Jeanine
are big evidence showing
that the Israeli policy makers
are monsters in human's
shape. They rape the Pales-
tinian women. They not only
kill the people but also burn
them and take their bodies
far from the area so that they
can hide their crimes. They
ignore the
basic rights of the Palestinians
and those of humanity as a
whole. Also, the Zionist sol-
diers destroy houses, shops
and cut off electricity and wa-
ter. As a result of that, a lot of
children suffer in Jeanine and
in all the occupied territories
from lack of water, food, milk
and medicine. The smell of the
corpses that are thrown every-
where threatens their health
and lives, which makes people
round the world predict a hu-
man catastrophe.
Besides, the Palestinians do
not have the right to go to
schools or hospitals because
the Israeli soldiers ban people
from going to schools and also
prevent the ambulances to take
the injured to the local hospi-
tals.
People wonder why Arab
leaders are silent about what is
happening in the area. Is the
blood of the Palestinian chil-
dren, women and men so
cheap?
Finally, I would like to say
that America is supporting this
war against the Palestinians
because it is the source of ter-
rorism. Most Moroccan people
are disappointed by its policy
and especially by its president
who compares martyrdom to
terrorism and at the same time
declares that he understands
Sharon's criminal policy as
self-defence. Who then will
protect the Palestinians' rights
and save their lives???
Lamiae Hozal / 3LM1
« A war with no title »
10MARRAKECH EXPRESS10 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
A SHORT PLAY
The Cast of characters:
Amina
Ahmed (her husband)
Alhajja (her neighbour)
Aicha (the maid)
Bouchta (the maid’s father)
Najma (Aicha’s sister)
AMINA: Oh no! I’m fed up with all this labour.
Everyday cleaning, washing and sweeping. I wish I
had a maid .Why not? I should talk my husband.
Yes, I should. Once he comes,
I’ll try to convince him.
(At 12:20 p.m. Ahmed comes
back home carrying his bag. He
is very tired)
AHMED: Amina ... Amina.
Where are you?
AMINA: Yes, darling. I’m here.
What’s the matter with you?
You look tired. How was your
day?
AHMED: Terrible! I had a lot of
work. Have you prepared some-
thing for lunch?
AMINA: Of course. Just two
minutes and everything is going
to be ready.
(Amina takes her husband’s bag
to put it on the desk while going towards the
Kitchen. At that time Ahmed is lying on the sofa.)
AMINA: Ah! Your best meal is ready and it’s wait-
ing for you.
AHMED: Oh my God! All this amount of food for
me!
AMINA: Yes for you…. Just for you.
AHMED: Thanks God. I’m lucky to have such a
good wife.
(While Ahmed is eating, Amina is looking forward
to an opportunity to tell him her idea. Suddenly,
Ahmed glances at her eyes and says)
AHMED: Amina, do you want to say something?
AMINA: No. I …I… I just want to tell you that I’m
about to have a baby. So I need a maid to help
me.AHMED: But where can I find a maid for you?
AMINA: Don’t worry. I can ask Hajja Khadija, she
has a maid in her house. Hajja can help me. She is so
kind.AHMED: OK. Do as you wish.
(Ahmed stands up to wash his hands. Amina goes to
clean the table singing. At 13: 40 Ahmed is ready to
go out.)
AHMED: Amina, it’s time to leave. Where is my
bag?
AMINA: Here is your bag. Have a nice time!
AHMED: Bye bye.
AMINA: Bye (happily)
(When Ahmed leaves for work, Amina goes to her
neighbour Hajja Khadija)
Bang. Bang. Bang
HAJJA: Who’s there?
AMINA: I’m your neighbour, Amina.
HAJJA: I’m coming.
(When Hajja opens the door, Amina receives her
with a hug)
AMINA: Good afternoon Hajja.
HAJJA: Good afternoon madam Amina.
AMINA: How are you doing?
HAJJA: Fine. Please come in.
(Hajja closes the door and
goes to the sitting-room with
her guest Amina)
HAJJA: Welcome. Have a
seat!
AMINA: Thank you. I won-
der why you opened the door.
You’ve got a maid. Where
is she by the way?
HAJJA: Oh! Aicha! She is
reading a book that I gave her
last night.
AMINA: How come? I can’t
believe it! The maid reads and
the employer opens the door!!
ALHAJJA: Aicha is like my
daughter, and what’s more
she is a human being. She has the right to read and
write as all children. Let’s forget about that!What
would you like to drink? Tea? Coffee? Or something
else?
AMINA: No. Don’t bother. I just want to inform you
that my husband Ahmed has agreed on having a
maid at home.
HAJJA: What good news! Well done!
AMINA: Thank you, but I need your help.
HAJJA: Yes with pleasure! But what can I do for
you?
AMINA: I’d like you to find me a maid.
(Hajja needed some time to think about that, but
Amina thought that Hajja had turned down her re-
quest)
AMINA: Won’t you help me?
HAJJA: No, I was thinking of you. You know,
you’re lucky!
AMINA: You’ll help me then, I knew that you
would not make me upset.
MAIDS & MAIDS
11MARRAKECH EXPRESS11 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
HAJJA: Today is the last day of the month and
BOUSHTA is coming to get his daughter’s pay.
AMINA: Who’s Boushta?
HAJJA: Aicha’s father …He has another daughter.
She’s called Najma…I’ll ask him to bring her to
you.
(After a few minutes, there is a knock at the door)
HAJJA: I think Bouchta is knocking at the door.
Aicha… Aicha.
AICHA: Yes madam Hajja.
ALHAJJA: Can you open the door? It may be your
father Bouchta.
(Aicha goes to open the door joyfully. It is her fa-
ther. They hug each other)
BOUSHTA: Sweet little girl. I missed you so
much!
AICHA: me too father.
BOUSHTA: How are you doing with this nice
family?
AICHA: I’m so happy…. Come in first
(Once he sees Hajja, he kisses her hand.)
BOUSHTA: Good afternoon madam
hajja. Good afternoon madam,
(He says to Amina, then he asks Hajja:)
BOUSHTA: How are you with Aicha?
HAJJA: She is quite good…. How are you and
your family?
BOUSHTA: They’re very happy, thanks to you.
HAJJA: Sit down Boushta…Aicha, come near your
father!
AICHA: Thanks madam, (She says happily)
HAJJA: I’d like to tell you something important
about your daughter.
(Boushta quickly interrupts Alhajja)
BOUSHTA: What did she do?
HAJJA: Please let me finish … It’s your daughter
Najma…My neighbour Amina is pregnant, and she
needs Najma to help her.
(Amina says quickly:)
AMINA: I hope you won’t refuse… I will give all
the money you want …I’d like to inform you that I
live in front of Alhajja’s house. Najma can see her
sister whenever she wants.
AICHA: Yes, father. She lives there in front of us;
I’ll be taking care of Najma.
HAJJA: What do you think?
BOUSHTA: Well madam, I don’t know what to
say but I’ll discuss it with her mother.
AMINA: Please, Boushta. I need her as soon as
possible.
BOUSHTA: OK. Tomorrow morning I’ll come
with her if her mother accepts.
AMINA: That’s wonderful!
BOUSHTA: Now, I should leave to get home
early.
ALHAJJA: Yes, but wait a moment. (She goes to
her room to bring him money)
This is your money.
BOUSHTA: Thank you madam Hajja. (He kisses her
hand)
HAJJA: Aicha, accompany your father to the door!
AICHA: Yes madam. (Aicha speaks to her father) Say
hello to my mother and tell her that I miss her.
BOUSHTA: Aicha, take care of yourself… tomorrow
I’ll come with your sister Najma if it’s possible. Bye
darling. (He kisses her warmly)
AMINA: I don’t know how to thank you for your help.
Amina says to Hajja.
HAJJA: No, you don’t have to …we’re
neighbours.AMINA: I’m going to leave, my husband is
about to come back home. Bye.
HAJJA: When Boushta arrives tomorrow, I’ll come to
you…. Take care!
(The next day Boushta arrives with his daughter Na-
jma…)
Bang. Bang. Bang
(Aicha opens the door)
AICHA: Najma …father. I missed you … How are
you, Najma?
NAJMA: I’m fine. (She says softly)
BOUSHTA: Aicha, can you call Hajja?
AICHA: Sure…Madam Hajja …My father is here.he
wants to see you
HAJJA: I’m coming.
BOUSHTA: Good morning, madam.
HAJJA: Good morning, Boushta …Is this Najma?
BOUSHTA: Yes, madam…(he turns to Najma). Say
hello to Hajja (Najma kisses Hajja’s hand)
HAJJA: come in!
BOUSHTA: No, madam. I don’t have much time. I
want to go back home early. Can I see madam Amina?
(Aicha goes to knock at Amina’s house)
Bang. Bang. Bang.
AICHA: Madam Amina…. Madam Amina … My fa-
ther with my sister Najma wants to see you
(Amina opens the door quickly)
AMINA: Where’s she?
12MARRAKECH EXPRESS12 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
BOUSHTA: Good morning madam Amina. This is
Najma. Najma, this is madam Amina. From now
on you’re going to obey her orders
NAJMA: Yes father. I’m going to do all that she
wants.
BOUSHTA: Please, madam, I’d like you to take
care of her as much as you can.
AMINA : Be sure I’m going to be nice with her.
(Amina gives Boushta some money)
Here’s some money for you, and the rest till the
end of the month.
BOUSHTA: Thank you, madam.
AMINA: No, It’s me who should thank you.
(Boushta is about to weep. His eyes are filled with
tears. He hugs his daughters standing beside him)
BOUSHTA: Aicha, take care of your sister…She’s
still young …Bye. Bye.
(On the way back home, Boushta is talking to him-
self… alone)
BOUCHTA: Oh my God, how cruel this life is .We
dare to sell our children to stay alive…We force
them to work as slaves. We’ve got to sacrifice our
life for them ...But where can I get money for them
…where…? ? ? (He shouted)
(A week later)
AMINA: Najma…Najma…(Shouting) Are you
deaf? Where have you been? I’ve been calling you
for so long.
NAJMA: Yes, madam… (Fearfully)
AMINA: I’ll be back in an hour …You must do
everything as it should be …Otherwise, you’ll be
severely punished.
NAJMA: Yes, madam.
AMINA: So, What are you waiting for? GO…
(Najma starts to clean, wash, prepare food. Her
tears are falling down. Amina comes back home
quickly. At that time Najma is still washing some
cups)
AMINA: MY GOD! …. You haven’t finished yet
even if I warned you! ! !
(Najma released the cup she was washing…. It
broke….Frightened, Najma starts to weep…)
AMINA: My cup …My cup. You haven’t fin-
ished and you have broken a cup…This is going to
be the last day in your life.
NAJMA: No. No. I beg you madam … Please
forgive me. I didn’t mean it….
(Amina takes a rope and starts to beat Najma
fiercely... Najma cann’t bear …She screams loudly
till Alhajja hears her voice …)
NAJMA:PLEA…SE PLEA…SE…
Bang… Bang...Bang…
HAJJA: Amina. Amina. Amina …Open the door!
…Open!
AMINA: No. Let me finish with this insect first.
NAJMA: Madam Alhajja…rescue me, please. She’ll
kill me.
AICHA: Najma … Najma (She turns to Hajja and
beggs her) Please do something …My sister will be
killed….
HAJJA: Amina. I’m warning you! …If you don’t stop
it now, I’ll open the door by force. I’ll call the police.
(With a harsh rope in her hand, Amina opens the door)
Why are you beating Najma?
AMINA: Mind your business … She’s my maid, you
hear?
ALHAJJA: Yes, you’re right. I should mind my busi-
ness now, but I should remind you that you had come
to me and begged me to find you a maid. You still re-
member…I think… I really wish that your daughter
were in Najma’s place. Then you would know how
cruel you are …Where’s your mercy, your tenderness
…and where are your feelings …You’re a real mon-
ster…
(In a rush, Najma gets behind her sister to hide)
NAJMA: I want to go back home….Where are my par-
ents? (She says sobbing)
AICHA: Stop crying! You’ re safe now…
HAJJA: You didn’t tell me anything Amina…I’m still
waiting…I know you can never say a word…..But let
me tell you. Those are our chldren…. Our souls …our
spirits …our future If she is a maid today, may be your
son’s wife tomorrow. She can be more than that. She
might be a mother as well. So let’s think of them.
Teach them; help them reach the top… For how long
shall we kill our humanism …oh, tell me how long…
(The song to be sung by the actors…)
We shall overcome our problems
We shall overcome them…
Some day
All deep in my heart
I do believe
We shall overcome our problems
Some day
We’ll work hand in hand
We’ll work hand in hand
Some day…
We’re not afraid….
We’re not afraid…today….
We shall overcome our problems
Some day….
Rashid Orjdali
LM / Preformation
13MARRAKECH EXPRESS13 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
Your Environment is your Health
Why don't we respect our environment?
Because of illiteracy ?! May be.
But I see students throwing rubbish in their
classrooms !! I see them tearing flowers or
leaves of trees from parks !!
Because of our ill growing up at home?!
May be.
But, we know that industrials harm the natural
environment pouring and throwing chemical
products into the air, rivers and seas...
Because of the awareness?! Maybe.
And what about the massive amount of gas
emitted from cars driven by illiterate and edu-
cated people alike...?
Furthermore, toxic products leak into the air
from chemical factories, forest fires caused by
arson, filthy beaches...
All of these are caused by HUMANS. People
are taking actions that seriously damage their
health.
Rubbish dumping within natural areas, is not
only unsightly, but also damages the vegeta-
tion, spreads harmful insects, and so damages
the health.
As people burn more fossil fuels (such as
coal, oil and gas) to get energy, they add more
carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. If this goes
on long enough, the average temperatu-
re of the atmosphere will almost cer-
tainly rise.
The ozone layer is being depleted by
certain chemicals (such as chlorofluo-
carbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetra-
chloride...). This results in increased
UV radiation reaching the earth's surfa-
ce, which in turn can lead to the related
health effects of skin cancer, cataracts
and immune supression.
YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS YOUR
HEALTH, SAVE IT !!!
By Latifa Douali
"I want to kill Sharon...“
This is a translation of an article I read in a Moroccan newspaper called "Assabah".
" I want to kill Sharon... This is my ambition", said Joel Dassan, the Greek American film
and play director yesterday, in an interview with Kathimirini, a Greek newspaper. Joel Das-
san, who is of a Jewish origin added, "The core of the problem in the world is the spreading
violence and death around the world". "Look at what is happening with the Palestinians", he
said, "it's a horrible situation".
"I want to kill Sharon; this is my ambition", Joel resumed..."I said to my daughter that I'm
old and what will happen if I kill Sharon…? I will go to prison where I will continue my
readings till the end of my life". He concluded, "I don't know what will happen now. Sharon
is a sort of military machine".
By Lamia Hozal /3LM1
14MARRAKECH EXPRESS14 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
p a g e Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech 14
MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
The Story of a Stranger
In the middle of the forest, there was a small house where two
clever sisters lived. Their names were Maria and Hind. Maria
was 15 and Hind was 18. They lived with their grandmother
Fatima.
One day during last summer holiday, Maria and her sister left
their house to enjoy themselves on a hill. There they felt very
happy as they spent great time. As they came back, they found a
young man near the house. He was about 25. Maria couldn’t bear
looking at him. He was very ill. He was dying. They helped him
and gave him some water. Then they took him to the house, for
Fatima, the grandmother, was helpful, kind and human.
The girls looked at the man. He was absent-minded for a
while. Then he started weeping, but they didn’t know why. Al-
though the man wept, Maria and Hind stayed near him and asked
the man a lot of questions about his
name, his job his problems and what
had happened to him.
After 15 minutes of total silence,
the man spoke and said: “My name
is Ali Fadili. I am 23 years old. I
work in Najah’s firm. This is my
favorite place for me, I work there
with enthusiasm and faithfulness,
and my boss was very happy with
my honest work, 12 hours a day. In
spite of my difficult job, I liked it. Until 27th of March in the
morning, I left my house at six p.m. to work. At the beginning
of my street near the house, I was surprised by seven dangerous
thieves who wanted to steal my keys, to steal the firm money. In
this case I was afraid but I decided to escape, but they hit me. I
could not give them the key, they beat and tortured me. Since
then I didn’t know anything until this good and nice moment
when I found this kind family and met Maria and Hind whom I
consider like two sisters of mine and Fatima who is like my
mother”.
After all that, they knew each other better, then Hind asked
Ali : “What are you going to do now?.”
Ali said, “Firstly I intend to go to my city, and I will go to the
police and tell them about what happened to me. Then I will give
them the information about the thieves, and the policemen will
do their best to find them. Secondly I will go to my boss and tell
him about every thing.”
Two days later, the man left the forest and went to his city and
did all those things, and the policemen found the thieves, in the
end Ali spoke with his mother about Hind and her family, espe-
cially his marriage to Hind. Later, his mother agreed. Then they
went with her son to Hind’s family to talk to them and got to
know each other. Finally, Ali was married to Hind and they lived a happy life in
Ali’s city.
Aouatif Boucetta / 3LM
You are a red rose
In the blackest heart
Of cruel people whose
Interest to tear you apart.
Abdellilah Koughadim
Palestine
RIDDLES
Have you heard the saying what goes up must come down? Well what goes up and never goes down? While walking across a bridge I saw a boat full of people. Yet on the boat there wasn't a single per-son. Why? What runs around a house but doesn't move? Where do you find roads without vehicles, forests without trees, and cities without houses? What am I? I am the only thing that always tells the truth. I show off everything that I see. I come in all shapes and sizes. So tell me what I must be! A man walks up to you and says - "everything I say to y o u i s a l i e . " Is he telling you the truth or is he lying?
What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly?
15MARRAKECH EXPRESS15 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
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MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2
3
4 8
5
6
7 15
8
ACROSS :
1. Month
2. Number
There are many in the sky at
night
3. I want…go to bed.
Beginning of “end”
4. Small, grey animal
5. Number
6. You need it to hear.
He is ……old that he can’t walk.
7. Two letters in the word “eye”.
She came…….. the house.
8. Opposite of beginning.
DOWN :
1. After thirteen.
2. An end without end.
He finished his work and went …...
3. 8/10 is good, but 9/10 is……..
4. Christmas is ……December
5. United States.
When the teacher walks into the
classroom, the pupils……up
6. Yesterday, I …..two eggs.
7. Last week, I …….the mile in five
minutes.
We have two daughters and one…....
8. Two letters from the word “year”.
You are …….young to understand.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
Suggested by:
Afaf El Marzouki/ 2LM
16MARRAKECH EXPRESS16 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002
Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech page 16
MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002
Printed by: L’Imprimerie
Al Watanya, Marrakech,
Tel.: (044) 30 37 74 LG
THE MOROCCAN ASSOCIATION OF
TEACHERS OF ENGLISH (MATE)
MARRAKECH LOCAL BRANCH
Computer Work & Design:
Mohammed HASSIM
Abdelkrim RASMY
Editing Board:
A. Saadouni, M. Blibil,
H. Lehnoud, N. Belkachla,
S. Belassal, M. Maanaoui,
A. Rasmy, M. Hassim. Depôt LégalDepôt LégalDepôt LégalDepôt Légal : 85/2000: 85/2000: 85/2000: 85/2000
مراكش -الفرع المحلي