Magharebia

An important component of Eid celebrations in Tunisia, sweets can cause Tunisians to travel long distances for regional specialties, wait for hours in long queues or stay up all night preparing them at home.

The Moroccan financial sector is safe from the shocks witnessed recently in the United States and Europe, according to the director of the nation's central bank. Abdellatif Jouahri said the Moroccan economy is less exposed to risk because it is less advanced than the economies of developed nations.

Recent developments indicate that a number of convicted Algerians held in Libya could return home by the end of Ramadan. The breakthrough follows more than a year of protracted negotiations between the two neighbours.

A Moroccan government initiative to combat begging will be expanded, according to Minister of Social Development Nouzha Skelli.

Morocco's bid to require public health insurance is proving successful, just three years into the project. Experts say there is still room for improvement, but many recipients are pleased with the service.

Tunisia placed 62nd in Transparency International's annual report on corruption. Officials and experts call for serious action.

Transparency International's 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index lists Morocco in 80th place, signifying a fall of eight places since last year. Moroccans remain optimistic about the fight against corruption, but say the problem's root causes still need to be addressed.

Following the release of Transparency International's latest global rankings – in which Algeria placed 92nd out of 180 – financial experts say existing anti-corruption legislation must be enforced for progress to be made.

During the holy month of Ramadan, families across the Maghreb are seeking both classic and new meals to break their fasts each evening. Magharebia has gathered several recipes from the region to contribute to the richness and variety of your ftour table.

For Algerian families accustomed to creating elaborate and varied menus during Ramadan, having colourful iftar tables justifies the added financial burden.

Morocco’s government wants to boost the traditional crafts sector by opening the first higher institute to train professional craftsmen. Artisans are excited about the initiative but fear competition.

The controversial fatwa concerning underage marriage issued in Morocco by Cheikh Mohamed Ben Abderrahman Al Maghraoui will be the target of a new government inquiry, following a decision by the king's prosecutor in Rabat.

Tunisians spend most Ramadan nights in cafés or city festivals enjoying spiritual music. Others prefer to go shopping or to watch TV.

Maghreb journalists and media experts gathered in Tunis for a forum on TV's role in spreading religious extremism. One hot-button issue was the influence of Qatari television channel Al Jazeera.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb leader Abdelmalek Droukdel issued a new audio message in which he attempts to explain the massive losses of civilian life caused by his group's attacks.

Moroccan football teams presented fans with high quality matches during the second round of Premier League play.

Holiday subsidies of food items cost the Mauritanian government millions of dollars, but the people feel the difference of cheaper food products.

Algerian universities will need to accommodate over 2 million students by 2015. To address this rise in class sizes, the Algerian authorities may permit the establishment of private universities for the first time.

In Algeria, kheimas, or tents, serve not only as houses for nomads, but also as entertainment settings for everyone else. A classic Maghreb space, hotels and other companies often use kheimas to host entertaining events and advertise their products.

As imports grow faster than exports, Morocco's trade balance is fast increasing. The government has announced a plan aimed at curbing the growing imbalance.

Supporters of a bill raising legislators' salaries say it brings pay for Algerian MPs in line with other Maghreb countries. Critics, however, question the wisdom of giving politicians more money at a time when average Algerians face economic difficulties.

Moroccans admit to being more irritable during Ramadan. Less food and sleep appear to cause an increase in violent behaviour, sociologists and security services agree.

Morocco's new Authenticity and Modernity party (PAM) has been surrounded by controversy since its creation by former Interior Minister Fouad Ali El Himma. Five political parties merged to form the new entity; this weekend was the first test of its viability.

Flagging productivity in Morocco's government and private sector mean less production during the holy month of Ramadan. Employees blame the decline on fasting and the change in daily routine.

Secondary school reforms in Algeria have led to unprecedented levels of overcrowding in classrooms, prompting parents, teachers and administrators to consider drastic measures. The government is working to reduce class size and to make additional space available.

The first Moroccan blogger to be arrested has been acquitted, based on technical mistakes in the procedures used to bring him to court. The public has welcomed Erraji's freedom, but some warn that the fight for freedom of expression in Morocco is not over.

Algerian women do most of the work at home, and Ramadan is no exception. They go to work, shop, cook, and prepare the table for iftar. By end of the month, they are exhausted, but their work continues.

The holy month of Ramadan has long provided merchants with four weeks of increased consumption and spending by customers eager to provide lavish meals, new clothing and gifts to their families and friends. Competition between sellers, both large and small, has grown and spread to the national media.

While seeking to send unemployed Moroccan immigrants home, Spain is continuing to recruit Moroccan women to contribute to the planting and harvest cycles in certain provinces.

Ramadan in Algeria is often punctuated by power outages, leaving many to break their fast in the dark. Sonelgaz officials promise a better supply next year.

The Moroccan government has announced plans to establish a committee dedicated to furthering the development of the middle class. Rising costs of living have steadily eroded this stabilising sector of society.

A decline in elementary school enrolments this year is a visible indicator of Tunisia's ageing population and falling birth rate. Although student-teacher ratios are improving, current pension schemes and incentives to have children are coming under scrutiny.

In Algeria, Ramadan is not only for fasting, it is also the month of entertainment. Algerians crowd into cafés each night to play games, art centres are open all month long and singers perform in different cities.

Moroccan blogger Mohammed Erraji provides his response to the judicial charges made against him and his take on freedom of expression in Morocco.

The ambitious Mediterranean Gate project planned by Sama Dubai and the Tunisian government will add 350,000 new jobs to the Tunisian economy, officials said Thursday.

Many Tunisians accuse merchants of taking advantage of high demand to raise prices and lower quality during Ramadan, while merchants reply that fasting customers simply complain more.

Algerian journalists have rejected government assertions that the media has provided "propaganda" for terrorists. Press members say they are serving the public's right to information and performing their professional duty.

Journalist Ziad El Heni has filed suit against the Tunisian Internet Agency over online censorship. A Tunis court will review the landmark case on November 4th.

Algerian government and NGOs host iftar banquets and distribute free meals to those in need. Volunteers say they prefer to be helping with the banquets to the traditional family repast.

A Moroccan cheikh has said parents may marry off their underage girls. Human rights and children's advocacy organisations, and many Moroccans, have denounced the fatwa, saying it "endorses rape".

Retired French footballer Zinedine Zidane recently talked about plans to create sports and youth projects in his ancestral home of Algeria.

Tunisian organisations and volunteers offer meals and home-delivered food to the needy during Ramadan, providing a much-needed service during the holy month.

Some 100 married women trained in university hospitals in Rabat and Casablanca are refusing to serve in remote locations, following a government decision designed to ensure the provision of care in the regions.

The Moroccan government is working with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation to combat an outbreak of the livestock disease PPR, which has been reported in nearly 4,000 animals across the country.

During the holy month of Ramadan, Tunisians are accustomed to fasting in the daytime heat and overeating after iftar, but for people with chronic diseases, dehydration and lack of nutrition pose unique problems.

Four years after its inception, the FOGARIM fund has enabled more than 200,000 Moroccans with limited incomes to buy their dream houses.

Blogger Mohammed Erraji was sentenced to two years in jail for criticising the King of Morocco. Bloggers and human rights groups described the ruling as "unacceptable".

During the holy month of Ramadan, Mauritanians are enjoying more free time, lower food prices and a sense of spiritual richness.

Professional drivers in Morocco are indignant that the road law to be debated by Parliament this month ignores their suggestions.

Each year, cities across Tunisia celebrate Ramadan with music, theatre and film events. On Saturday, the biggest and best-known festival of all began in Tunis.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice concluded a historic trip to the Maghreb on Sunday, calling upon leaders to work through their differences to build a strong and secure region.

With the start of Ramadan coinciding once again with the new academic year, Tunisian budgets are stretched to the limit. The Tunisian government and consumer advocacy groups are encouraging families to keep spending in check during the holiday season.

Former champion Said Aouita was re-appointed as technical manager of Morocco's athletics team in an effort to reinvigorate the sport after the disappointing results in Beijing.

The Moroccan government is launching the new school year with promises to improve school facilities and reduce overcrowding. More schools will be built and underprivileged families will receive aid to send their children to schools.

Music diversity and international performances will be centre stage at Tunisia's Mûsîqât Festival. Organisers hope the 2-week event during the holy month of Ramadan will give music fans a venue for entertainment and relaxation after long days of fasting.

Algeria’s new penal code, adopted on August 31st, sets out prison sentences for harragas. The measure has been viewed differently by observers and specialists in Algeria.

Tunisian television network Hannibal TV launched a new religious channel in time for the start of Ramadan. The new Hannibal Elferdaws will feature religious programming and talk shows that emphasise tolerance and moderate Islam.

The holy month of Ramadan in Tunisia will offer the people some 195,000 different events across the country. In addition, the trade ministry has been tasked with regulating the market during this busy time for commerce.

The leaders of Mauritania's August 6th coup d'état announced a new cabinet on Monday, despite continued opposition both at home and abroad to President Abdellahi's removal from power.

Moroccan security forces conducted a successful raid on Friday against a terrorist cell suspected of planning attacks against Moroccan and Spanish interests. It was the fourth such operation for Morocco this year.

Alexandria's International Film Festival celebrates fifty years of Moroccan cinema this year, but after organisers suddenly pulled a movie scheduled for opening night last week, the renowned event has been marred by controversy.

The holy month of Ramadan provides many Moroccans with unique business opportunities, as more and more families choose to purchase specialty dishes rather than prepare them at home.

With Peter van Walsum out as Western Sahara mediator, the Polisario Front pledged Saturday to return to the process of negotiations begun in New York. Morocco says the change is not a victory for the Polisario or for Algeria.