Morocco

LANGUAGEApart from classical Arabic, the language of education, administration and media, language daily in Morocco is dialectal Arabic and Tamazight (Berber) spoken in the Rif,the Atlas and the Souss and which varies by region. Most Moroccans speak French, Spanish and many speak English.RELIGIONIslam is the official religion in Morocco, but the coexistence with other religions is perfect (the practice of other revealed religions is in fact guaranteed by the constitution). The day is punctuated by five calls to prayer. This is the muezzin who announces the top of its minaret. During the month of Ramadan, the Moroccans fast, stop drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset. Obviously, their lives being modified. Most governments, utilities, monuments and shops adjust their schedules. However, non-Muslims are to eat in certain restaurants, particularly in hotels. The days drag, but the nights are beautiful!KITCHENThe Moroccan kitchen adapts with refinement vegetables and fruits gorged with sun, spices rare and scented, delicate fish and tasty meats ... The best of Eastern cuisines, renowned throughout the world, puts your papillae in festival. The main Moroccan dishes to taste absolutely.Skewers: at the entrance of a souk, a square, along a road, is cooked before your eyes delicious skewers: a treat, economical and fast.Couscous is the traditional Friday family lunch, but you will find every day at the restaurant. During your trip you can enjoy miles couscous because it varies by region and creativity of the cook. Try not to use your cutlery to eat, but your fingers, to the Moroccan.Barbecue: barbecued lamb or baked. The meat melts in your mouth!Pastilla: a thin pastry stuffed with pigeon and almonds: this is the famous sweet and sour at the Moroccan. There are variations in fish, chicken and even pudding for dessert.Dishes of Ramadan at sunset, it breaks the fast (f'tour) with the rich and tasty Harira soup, meat, lentils, chickpeas, with beghrir, small honeycomb pancakes served withmelted butter and honey, shebbakia, cakes fried in oil and coated with honey. This "light" snack can wait for the real dinner that takes place later that night.Tajine: this word refers to both the container (terra cotta dish decorated in typical conical lid) and content (stew of meat, poultry, fish and vegetables stewed). Taste, you'll understand why the tagine is the Moroccan national dish.Mint tea: it quenches thirst, warmed, peps, is drunk in the morning, after meals, at any time. A pleasure which never refuses.Pastry: honey cakes, cornes de gazelles, feqqas almonds, raisins, almonds ghoriba, sesame ... Irresistible!KNOW-LIVERespect local customs, is to demonstrate a basic courtesy towards a welcoming country.To avoid embarrassing situations and misunderstandings, comply with common practice. Here are some basic rules:In Morocco, access to mosques and holy places is forbidden to non-Muslims. Some exceptions: Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Mohamed V Mausoleum in Rabat, Moulay Ismail Mausoleum in Meknes, Moulay Ali Cherif Mausoleum in Rissani.Avoid provocative clothing. Accept the mint tea, a gesture of hospitality.If you are prompted to share a family meal, you wash your hands symbolically in the ewer. The meal begins once the householder has pronounced the "bismillah" in praise of God. Eat with your right hand, taste everything, but do not think you have to finish everything on your plate, it is usually impossible!Avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public in daytime during the Ramadan period.If you want to photograph a person, do not forget to ask permission.HolidaysCivilian life is governed by the Gregorian calendar. Unlike other Muslim countries, the weekend consists of Saturday and Sunday. Friday is not a holiday but public administrations and extend their lunch break to allow the faithful to go to prayer.Religious life follows the Muslim calendar. It begins on 16 July 622, the day the prophet Mohammed left Mecca to Medina to establish where he had many more followers. The year hegira, lunar year, consists of 12 months, but it is shorter than the solar year. The month of Ramadan and important religious holidays vary with respect to the Gregorian calendar. To obtain the dates, check with the Moroccan National Tourist Office.National holidays- 1 January: New Year's Day- Jan. 11: Manifesto of Independence- May 1: Labor Day- 30 July: Feast of the Throne- 14 August: Allegiance of Oued Ed-Dahab- August 20: Anniversary of the Revolution of King and People- August 21: Youth Day- November 6: Anniversary of the Green March- November 18: Independence DayReligious holidaysThese are holidays all over Morocco.- The Eid El-Fitr (or Eid al-Saghir: the party) marks the end of Ramadan.- Eid ul-Adha (or Eid el-Kebir: the big party) commemorates Abraham's sacrifice. This is the Feast of Sacrifice- First Moharram, the first day of the Hijra, the Muslim year.- Mouloud celebrates the birth of the Prophet.