Magharebia

The ancient custom of bouqala, in which poems from oral traditions are recited, still attracts women of all ages during the holy month.

Algerian public television has re-arranged its Ramadan schedule so that new sitcoms like "The Djemai Family" don't overlap with other hit programmes.

More students will benefit from the "One Million Schoolbags" programme this year. Moroccan families welcome the news, as they struggle to meet their children's needs.

Day 4 in Algeria's top football league saw an end to WA Tlemcen's early lead. MC Algiers and USM El Harrach rose to the top with wins over Chlef and Tlemcen.

Mauritania's "Ramadan shops" offer food at wholesale prices throughout the Holy Month.

A child's first Ramadan fast is a celebration of Algerian traditions that parents and grandparents look forward to sharing each year.

"The taraweeh prayer during Ramadan is highly valued by young people, even those who have never prayed before, because it enables them to attain the spirituality and holiness that Muslims look for during this week," said student Bahja Mouhieddinne.

Moroccan television stations have overhauled this year's Ramadan programming with some success, but many viewers are convinced that more can be done to improve prime time.

The field of candidates in Tunisia's upcoming presidential election saw some changes this week, as President Ben Ali submitted his paperwork a day after the withdrawal of PDP challenger Ahmed Nejib Chebbi.

Moroccan actor Driss Roukh joins a star-studded cast in the Nessma TV comedy series "Zorroh", airing throughout Ramadan. Roukh speaks to Magharebia about his experience on the show and the importance of collaboration.

Fierce jostling among four local TV stations is creating a Ramadan ratings war that baffles some Tunisians.

After several strikes and continued sparring between Royal Air Maroc (RAM) pilots and management, both sides returned to the negotiating table eager to resolve the dispute.

Moroccan officials are drafting a new consumer protection law, as many voice concerns that the unregulated sales season exploits shoppers and retailers alike.

The holy month marks a time when less observant Tunisians are inspired to return to the mosques to pray.

Traditional music and rising stars from Tunisia's France-born generation make this year's Medina Festival a noteworthy Ramadan festivity.

Algerians are finding this year's Ramadan food prices "unbelievable", and the government is responding with plans to stabilise the market and distribute baskets of meals to the needy.

Moroccan justice was the target of a recent speech by King Mohammed VI, who outlined a series of reforms to improve public faith in the legal system.

More of Morocco's public servants are gaining access to the internet and advanced technology, but a recent survey found that a fully wired government remains an elusive goal.

The Tayssir programme, Morocco's latest effort to push for higher primary school enrolment, provides parents with monetary rewards for keeping children in school.

As Ramadan rapidly approaches, visitors to Algerian markets are skyrocketing – and so are the prices. A month of piety, sacrifices and favourite meals, Ramadan is expensive for families and a bonanza for casual traders.

Mauritania's northern city of Zouérat is bustling this Ramadan, and much of the prosperity is due to booming cross-border trade.

The role of women in the Arab media was a hot topic for debate at a conference on Sunday during the 31st International Cultural Festival of Asilah in Morocco.

Venezuelan flutist Pedro Eustache and Greek composer Yanni were among the top-tier artists to close Tunisia's 45th Carthage Festival, which showcased local and international talent.

With longer days and higher temperatures to contend with, Tunisian families prepare for the first summertime Ramadan in years.

Royal Air Maroc pilots extended their third strike from three days to nine. Negotiations stalled over RAM's recruitment of foreign air captains.

Families across Mauritania prepare for the fasting and festivities of Ramadan.

Moroccan markets are exceedingly well-stocked for the Ramadan holiday, but prices are skyrocketing, making it hard for those on low incomes to prepare a holiday feast.

A months-long power struggle within Tunisia's union of journalists culminated in the election of a new board and president on Saturday (August 15th).

Algerians struggle to adapt to a new Friday and Saturday week-end. Many are resisting the changes to business and school schedules.

Despite obstacles, the Ministry for Social Development is expanding its strategy to combat begging throughout Morocco.

Round 2 of Algeria's football league was marred by fan violence between CABBA and MCA.

Young Moroccans share their elders' taste for Ramadan delicacies — but often buy them ready-made when time-consuming cooking competes with work and other responsibilities.

Young Moroccans seized the occasion of International Youth Day to reflect on the serious challenges they continue to face.

An appeal to legalise the banned practice of polygamy is stirring controversy in Tunisia, particularly among women who fear the erosion of all their social gains.

Rafik Djebbour netted the winning goal as the Algerian national football team defeated their Uruguayan counterparts 1-0 on Wednesday in a friendly match in Algiers.

Celebrated Algerian singer Cheb Khaled performed on Sunday (August 9th) at the Carthage Festival in Tunisia, treating the audience to fresh renditions of rai classics.

Crowd favourite Lofti Bouchnak performed old hits and new songs on Saturday (August 10th) at the Carthage International Festival.

The Office of Tunisians Abroad met with expatriates on Friday in Tunis to discuss their concerns about the global financial crisis and the cost of remittances.

Pilots for Morocco's flag carrier, Royal Air Maroc, are planning their third strike of the month after rejecting management's latest proposals.

Tunisian singer Zohra Lajnef energised crowds at the International Festival of Hammamet with her unique blend of Bedouin and modern music on Friday (August 7th).

Government spokesman Khalid Naciri is promoting a dialogue between the government and the press in the wake of government censorship of the magazines TelQuel and Nichane.

Moroccans living abroad met with officials at a one-day event in Rabat to discuss conflicts between the laws of their host countries and the Moudawana.

Mauritania suffered its first suicide bombing on Saturday, when a terrorist detonated his explosive belt near the French embassy in Nouakchott.

Day 1 of Algeria's top football league championship proceeded with a number of wins at home and a total of 24 goals.

Two of the Arab Maghreb's key players, Tunisia and Algeria, have agreed to deepen their relations around several key economic, political, and migration matters.

Moroccan youth hope that a government-sponsored vocational training programme will help reduce unemployment.

As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, Libyans are stocking up on food and supplies to prepare for the iftar feasts no matter where they are. Vacationing Libyans in Tunisia are taking advantage of the stores there to bring back treats for their iftar tables.

Many Tunisians are voicing concerns that Sudan's prosecution of journalist Lubna Ahmed Hussein for wearing trousers could mark a shift away from women's rights and towards religious extremism in the Maghreb.

Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz took the oath of office on Wednesday before a crowd of 20,000 to become President of Mauritania. Supporters and opponents alike attended the event, in support of the political process.

Around 6,000 people flocked to the Algerian city of Mostaganem this July for the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Tariqa Alawiya, whose Sufi followers prize tolerance, unity, peace and ecology.

The 11th Amnesty national youth campus breathes fresh life into activism, using new technologies like social networks.

The ongoing Asilah International Festival of Culture draws global leaders to discuss greater global co-operation and the importance of civil society in north Morocco.

This week's editions of TelQuel and Nichane were confiscated and destroyed for publishing a poll that asked Moroccans to assess the performance of King Mohammed VI.

In the final year of Mauritania's antiquated baccalaureate examination programme, fewer than 9% of test-takers passed. Some students blamed poor grading or the education ministry for their failure.

Property developers have fled from the social housing market after tax breaks were withdrawn. The 2010 Finance Act would remedy the situation to create more housing projects.

The newly-formed National Observatory for Elections will keep a close watch on the campaign and voting process in this year's Tunisian legislative and presidential elections. Some experts question the group's neutrality.

Royal Air Maroc and airline pilots agreed to hold negotiations after two back-to back strikes hindered air travel and cost the carrier nearly a million euros a day.