I. Voices of Anguish:
The demonstrators, representing diverse communities affected by the earthquake, voiced their anger at what they perceived as exclusion and irregularities in the compensation process. Their grievances centered on the harsh climatic conditions exacerbating their suffering in the aftermath of the disaster.

II. Unmet Demands:
Protesters rallied from various impacted regions, united in their demand for the resolution of their cases and access to the support designated for earthquake victims. They called for the implementation of measures outlined in royal instructions, emphasizing the urgent need for authorities to address the deficiencies in the compensation process and expedite relief efforts to alleviate ongoing hardships.

III. Policy of Exclusion:
During the demonstration, protesters condemned what they described as an ongoing policy of exclusion and indifference. They expressed frustration at the unjust deprivation of a subset of affected individuals from emergency financial aid intended for affected families, leading to their exclusion from support allocated for reconstruction and housing, as mandated by His Majesty the King.

IV. Addressing Unjust Classification:
Demonstrators also voiced their discontent over the neglect of processing files for those unjustly labeled as “non-residents.” The protesters vehemently rejected this classification based on workplace addresses in their national ID cards, arguing that it unfairly excluded deserving individuals from the urgently needed assistance and support in the aftermath of the earthquake.

V. Escalating Frustration:
Justifying their decision to escalate the protest to Rabat, the demonstrators recounted a series of vigils and protest marches conducted in the affected regions. Expressing deep disappointment at the lack of response from local leaders and authorities, they highlighted a growing frustration among affected individuals who, having exhausted local avenues, sought to amplify their voices on a broader scale.

VI. Unyielding Determination:
The decision to bring their grievances to the capital reflects the unyielding determination of the protestors to garner recognition and assistance. Despite facing systemic neglect and exclusion, they remain resolute in their pursuit of justice, urging authorities to acknowledge their plight, reconsider the distribution of assistance, and provide the much-needed relief and compensation for the challenges they face in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake.

The collective outcry of these earthquake victims stands as a poignant plea for justice and aid, highlighting the urgent need for authorities to address their unmet demands and provide the support necessary for rebuilding shattered lives in the aftermath of this tragic event.

Thesis Focus:

Soufian Draz’s Master’s thesis delved into the intriguing realm of “Verbal Actions in the Novel [Jar Thishri Dhu Watu] by the Amazigh writer Hassan Banhakeia: A Pragmatic Study of Marius Caius’ Dialogues.” This groundbreaking study not only adds to the academic discourse on Amazigh literature but also exemplifies the university’s commitment to fostering research in indigenous languages.

Supervision and Academic Guidance:

Under the astute supervision of Professor Jawad Zoubai, Soufian Draz navigated the uncharted territory of conducting a Master’s thesis defense entirely in the Amazigh language. This achievement not only underscores the academic rigor of the university’s programs but also highlights the importance of preserving and promoting linguistic diversity within educational institutions.

Historical Context:

While this event represents a groundbreaking moment for the Multidisciplinary University of Nador, it is not the first instance of a Master’s defense being conducted in Amazigh languages in Morocco. In recent times, students enrolled in Amazigh culture programs have demonstrated their dedication to preserving and promoting their linguistic heritage by presenting their defenses in the Amazigh language, utilizing the Tifinagh script.

Implications and Future Prospects:

The successful defense of a Master’s thesis in the Amazigh language signifies a broader movement towards recognizing and embracing linguistic diversity in academic settings. It sets a precedent for future research endeavors in indigenous languages, encouraging scholars to explore and contribute to the rich tapestry of linguistic traditions.

The Multidisciplinary University of Nador’s recent milestone in hosting the first-ever defense of a Master’s thesis in the Amazigh language is a testament to the institution’s commitment to inclusivity and academic excellence. This achievement not only celebrates the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Amazigh people but also paves the way for a more diverse and enriched academic landscape in Morocco and beyond.

The Amazigh Psychologists in Morocco initiative was born out of an urgent necessity — the need to confront the often-overlooked mental health challenges confronting Morocco’s Amazigh population in the wake of the earthquake. Traumatic events like these can have profound and lasting impacts on mental well-being, making culturally sensitive support an absolute imperative.

At the helm of this initiative stands Meryem Ouahmane, an exceptionally qualified and empathetic psychologist. Meryem’s drive to lead this endeavor is rooted in her unwavering commitment to the mental well-being of the Amazigh community. Her extensive background in psychology, coupled with her deep Amazigh heritage, uniquely equips her to comprehend and address the specific mental health needs of this community.

The earthquake of September 8, 2023, left deep scars on the affected regions. Beyond the physical devastation, it inflicted emotional wounds that demand delicate care and attention. The Amazigh population, in particular, confronted distinctive psychological challenges. Loss, trauma, and grief became a shared experience.

The immediate and long-term psychological impact on the Amazigh community cannot be underestimated. Families were torn asunder, homes reduced to rubble, and livelihoods annihilated. The very essence of the community was strained. However, thanks to the Amazigh Psychologists in Morocco initiative, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

At the heart of this initiative lies a profound commitment to providing Psychological First Aid (PFA) to those affected by the earthquake. PFA is an evidence-based approach that emphasizes immediate and practical assistance for supporting emotional well-being during and after a crisis. It encompasses activities such as active listening, delivering essential information, and connecting individuals to appropriate resources.

The Amazigh Psychologists in Morocco initiative understands that the initial steps towards healing often involve addressing the immediate psychological needs of survivors. By offering culturally sensitive PFA, they empower individuals to manage their distress, diminish the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder, and nurture resilience.

In the pursuit of their on-ground endeavors, the Amazigh Psychologists in Morocco initiative orchestrated “La Caravane Oukaimden.” This caravan of hope and support brought together over 20 dedicated individuals, including psychologists, specialists in early childhood education, and coordinators. Among them, Psychologist Rania Elhammouni played a pivotal role in coordinating with the team, facilitating their efforts in Oukaimden.

Upon their arrival in Oukaimden, the team immersed themselves in the local community, fostering connections and empathizing with their experiences. They conducted therapeutic circles, one-on-one counseling sessions, child-focused activities, and community engagement events. The presence of “La Caravane Oukaimden” provided a ray of light in the darkest of times, exemplifying the transformative power of compassion and cultural understanding.

In summation, the “Amazigh Psychologists in Morocco” initiative stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. It serves as a testament to the potent combination of language, culture, and Psychological First Aid in the realm of trauma recovery. As Morocco embarks on its journey towards healing and recovery, this initiative serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact that compassionate, culturally sensitive support can wield on the human spirit when faced with adversity.

The current earthquake that struck Morocco killed more than 2800 impacting the whole country including the Amazigh or indigenous people of North Africa who are currently suffering the most. The earthquakes further exacerbate the grievances that Amazigh people in Morocco and in North Africa face due to their marginalization, neglect, and discrimination from the Atlas mountains to the Rif mountains and many other remote areas across Morocco. We call on their immediate and adequate response by the Moroccan state to these areas that have often been neglected. There must be an urgent need for more inclusive disaster mitigation strategies.

Vulnerable Housing and Infrastructure
One of the most glaring issues exacerbating this devastation in native communities is the substandard housing and infrastructure they often inhabit. Amazigh groups, due to economic constraints and historical factors, mainly reside in poorly constructed homes using mud brick and clay.  These homes are very poorly constructed and lacking some very basic foundations . When earthquakes occur, these structures are more likely to collapse, leading to greater loss of life and property.

Limited Access to Resources
Amazigh communities frequently face economic hardships and lack access to resources that could aid in disaster preparedness and recovery. Insufficient access to funds, insurance, and social safety nets makes it exceedingly difficult for these communities to rebuild their lives after consecutive crisis. As a result, the economic impact of Morocco earthquake is particularly & severely harsh.

Disproportionate Health Consequences
Healthcare disparities often intersect with marginalization, and this is especially evident in the aftermath of earthquakes. Amazigh communities often have been facing limited access to medical facilities and professionals for decades. When crisis strike, injuries and medical emergencies become more severe due to the scarcity of healthcare resources, further compounding the devastation.

Educational and Awareness Gaps
Education is a key component of disaster preparedness. The Amazigh community living in the Atlas mountains have the lowest literacy rates and less access to educational resources, resulting in limited awareness about earthquake risks and safety measures. This lack of awareness can slow down evacuation and response efforts, placing many lives at risk.

Discrimination and Social Exclusion
Social vulnerability is another factor that worsened Morocco earthquake devastation. Discrimination and social exclusion can hinder community cohesion and unity during times of crisis. Native Amazigh communities may find themselves isolated and without the support networks needed to navigate the aftermath of not only earthquakes but also many other natural disasters .

Areas that Amazigh inhabit have some of the poorest infrastructure, without hospitals, schools, roads. Yet the location Amazigh inhabit are used as touristic attraction that contributes to building Morocco’s tourism industry yet without any wealth being invested in building these locations.

Environmental Factors
Many marginalized Amazigh communities are geographically located in areas more prone to natural disasters, including earthquake-prone zones, cold weather conditions, land availability, limited housing choices, political and historical factors often play a role in this placement. When earthquakes and other natural disasters occur in these areas, the vulnerabilities of native communities are further exposed.

In conclusion, it is essential to recognize that earthquake devastation is not solely a result of geological forces but is also deeply intertwined with societal factors. Marginalization and social exclusion can also exacerbate the consequences of seismic events, leaving these vulnerable populations at greater risk of loss and suffering.

To address this issue, the Moroccan government, along with NGOs, and civil society must work together to develop inclusive disaster mitigation strategies. These strategies should prioritize improving housing conditions, increasing access to education and healthcare, promoting community resilience, and ensuring that disaster preparedness and response efforts are equitable and accessible to all members of society. By addressing these systemic issues, we can begin to mitigate the devastating impact of earthquakes and other natural disasters on the Amazigh communities living in the remote areas and move toward a more inclusive and resilient future.

Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch has settled a controversy over the date of the official Amazigh New Year celebration, confirming that January 14 will be a paid national holiday.

In addition to that, Mr Akhnnouch pledged that the government will try to expedite the completion of the roadmap it has prepared for this reason according to the budget for the 2024 fiscal bill.

The roadmap outlines 25 actions for incorporating the Amazigh language into government operations and services, as well as in fields including education, health, justice, and media outlets.

The Amazigh New Year was added to Morocco’s list of official holidays by King Mohammed VI in May of this year. According to a Royal Court statement, King Mohammed VI approved the Amazigh New Year being recognized as a genuine national holiday.

A woman narrates the cruelty inflicted on her family members in the recording. For perspective, the present refugee crisis, which has impacted millions of people globally, has had a significant impact on the Tuareg and other nomadic groups in the region. For the past five years, the Islamic State has been slaughtering civilians in the Sahel, primarily Tuaregs who have been forced to escape to neighboring nations. This particular group of refugees used to live just adjacent to the Algerian border, and in search of protection, they crossed into Algeria.

In-guizam, Algeria, was supposed to be a safe haven for these families, but instead, shortly after their arrival, the Algerian border guards decided to round them up and deport them. They were then dumped in the middle of the desert near the Niger border without food or water. Defenseless and exposed to the elements and terrorists.

These refugees are vulnerable groups, including mothers with newborns, small children, and the elderly, who have been subjected to unimaginable terrible agony.

Tragically, the woman alleged in this audio that the Algerian soldiers came the next night and gang-raped the women and girls. The troops savagely beat the few men who attempted to interfere. This heinous assault underlines the enormous hurdles that Tuareg refugees face as they seek safety and stability on their own ancestral land.

It is important to mention that the Tuareg people have long been marginalized and persecuted in their Saharan homeland. Not only are they fleeing violence from extremist groups like the Islamic State, but they are often killed by the very military that is meant to protect them.

Thankfully, a Nigerien patrol discovered the refugees, weakened and thirsty, and provided them with medical and humanitarian relief in Assamakha. While this group of refugees were safely rescued for now, it underscores the urgent need for serious international aid and support for refugees in these remote regions in turmoil.

It is imperative that we continue to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide, including in the sahel-sahara region. The testimony from this audio serves as a reminder that the situation for the Amazigh people in the Sahara is only deteriorating. The international community must take action to address this dire emergency.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the royal court stated that King Mohammed VI “decided to establish Amazigh New Year’s Day an official paid national holiday.”

The Amazigh New Year is celebrated annually on -around- January 13. According to historians, the Amazigh calendar, which is based on seasons and agriculture, celebrates the beginning of the year on the anniversary of the accession of the Libyan King Sheshonq to the throne of Egypt.

Most of North Africa is home to the Amazigh people, with significant populations in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and western Egypt. But other Amazigh tribes can also be found in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The broad range of related dialects used by the Amazigh is referred to as “tamazight.”

The largest Amazigh population in North Africa is found in Morocco, -around 17 million- which for a long time neglected the Amazigh language and culture in favor of Arabic and French, giving rise to a movement for Amazigh identity that has gradually gained ground popularity.

The 2011 protests in Morocco that resulted in the adoption of a new constitution and the transfer of some of the monarch’s authority to an elected government prominently included demands of the Amazigh movement.

Following the confirmation of the Amazigh language’s official status by Moroccan legislators in 2019, eight years after it was initially acknowledged in a new constitution, the decision to recognize the Amazigh New Year was made.

The Amazigh people of Morocco were the first to formally recognize the native mother tongue, while advocates regret that it is not properly taught in public schools and used in government.

The government vowed to hire hundreds of official clerks for the Amazigh language in public services and increased the 2023 budget for the language’s support by 50% this year, to 300 million dirhams ($30 million).

The Amazigh new year “Yennayer” festivities emphasize spending time with family and listening to upbeat music. Most families prepare a feast of traditional meals as they get ready for the day, with the family matriarchs organizing the preparations.

Additionally, it has become customary to dress in traditional Amazigh attire and jewelry just for the occasion. Yennayer has developed into a celebration for significant life milestones including weddings, circumcisions, and a child’s first haircut in keeping with the idea of rejuvenation, wealth, and life.

Celebrations for Yennayer might stretch up to three days in some parts of Algeria. Every day, the family comes together for a special supper. Typically, the first day is spent eating semolina porridge, the second day involves couscous with seven veggies, and the third day involves chicken.

On December of 2018, Algeria has also taken the decision to announce the Amazigh new year as a paid holiday in the nation during the ruling of president Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

The institution emphasized in a statement that a commission of the El Jadida province government and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage had been dispached for this mission.

Aboulkacem Chebri, an archaeologist and the director of the Center for Studies and Research on Moroccan-Lusitanian Heritage, told MAP that “because the team hasn’t found the discovery site, it’s been challenging for them to do their in-depth investigation.

Abdelaziz El-Khayari, an expert in ancient Amazigh languages who works for INSAP in North Africa, examined carefully the text for weeks to finally determine that the tombstone had funerary inscriptions written on it in the old Libyco-Amazigh alphabet but in a vertical line. “This is the Amazigh letters used in ancient times, giving rise to modern tifinagh.” and added that, “these type of discoveries are giving us an opportunity to revisit our history.”

The writing is similar to other inscriptions previously found in the areas of Ain Jamaa (southwest of Casablanca), Sidi El Arbi (suburb of Mohammedia), Nkhila (Settat region), and Souk Jamaa (Maaziz), according to the institute.

Aboulkacem Chebri stressed to MAP that the Libyan or Punic inscriptions, are mainly Amazigh, date back to a few centuries before Christ. « new discoveries from these centuries less known to historians and archaeologists. » added Mr Chebri.

Sheikh, Abu Ammar, posted a video on Facebook only days after the Amazigh people celebrating the Amazigh new year 2973, in which he attacked Fatima, describing the Amazigh signer and activist in a very sarcastic and shameless way attacking her personality as well her artistic career.

A number of lawyers, media professionals, and Amazigh rights activists have released a supporting statement, denouncing the attack on the Amazigh artist and urged the Moroccan authorities to take immediate actions against sheikh Abu Ammar and other Salafi preachers to prevent these hate speech violations from occurring.

Fatima Tabaamrant, born in Morocco, is an Amazigh poet, singer, activist, and parliamentarian. A member of Morocco’s indigenous Aït Boubker tribe, Tabaamrant has dedicated her life to asserting her Amazigh identity through her music and her political engagements.

Kamira Nait Sid is the co-president of the World Amazigh Congress CMA, an international NGO defending the rights of the Amazigh people. The mission of the WAC is to ensure the defense and promotion of political, economic, social, cultural, historical and civil rights of the Amazigh people.

Kamira was abducted from her home in Draa-Ben-Kheddaas On 24 August 2021, in northern Algeria and detained at an unknown location without any contact with her family or a lawyer for three days.

On the morning of 1 September 2021, she was accompanied by her lawyers was presented to the Public Prosecutor and later to the investigation judge at Sidi M’Hamed Court in Alger. The charges brought against Kamira Nait Sid include “undermining national unity and state security” and “belonging to a terrorist organization” under Article 87 bis of the Penal code which carry penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment and the death penalty.