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http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2008/01/30/feature-01
Morocco to launch Amazigh channel

30/01/2008

A Moroccan television channel devoted to Amazigh language and culture has stirred up interest from the Amazigh cultural movement. Government officials say the programming will cater to a sizeable number of Moroccan viewers, but one Amazigh activist is worried that the channel could be divisive.

By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 30/01/08

[Sarah Touahri] Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) rector Ahmed Boukous's staff will be responsible for producing content for Morocco's new Amazigh channel, with the aim of bringing Amazigh to an audience unfamiliar with the language.

A new Moroccan television channel will broadcast entirely in Amazigh, satisfying a long-awaited demand by a significant percentage of the country’s citizens. The Moroccan government is finalising broadcast specifications to ensure that the national channel, which will air a range of general-interest programmes, can soon begin operations, Communications Minister Khalid Naciri announced before parliament last Wednesday (January 23rd).

A statement from the prime minister’s office said that "the government is prepared to make all the necessary arrangements for the creation of an Amazigh television channel." The finance and communications ministries will foot the bill, which is expected to come to 168m dirhams ($21.7m), the National Radio and Television Company (SNRT) will provide the channel’s headquarters and a significant share of the staff, and the Royal Institute for Amazigh Culture (IRCAM) will be responsible for training and also some producing.

Plans for the television station were shelved in November 2006 because of financial difficulties, but the government is now determined to get the Amazigh channel on the air. A committee made up of the SNRT, IRCAM and the Ministry of Communication worked on the production, technical equipment and human resources aspects of the project before it was taken over by the government.

According to the minister, programmes will be broadcast in all three dialects of Amazigh: Tamazight, Tarifit and Tachlhit. "This channel is intended to cater to the needs of a sizeable number of Moroccan viewers in the fields of information, culture, education and leisure," Naciri noted.

IRCAM says the aim is to bring Amazigh to an audience unfamiliar with the language.

The creation of a special channel devoted to Amazigh language and culture has stirred up interest from the Amazigh cultural movement. Even groups which do not support IRCAM are welcoming the move.

Brahim Baouche, a representative of the Amazigh Citizenship Network in Rabat, told Magharebia that all Amazighs are eagerly awaiting the new channel: "It’s a kind of reconciliation with the Amazigh as part of a move to promote cultural diversity. The request by the Amazigh movement to integrate Amazigh into the public media will finally come to fruition." While the two national channels have certainly made efforts to broadcast programmes in Amazigh, he said, the shows are scheduled during off-peak viewing hours.

Said Ameskane, a spokesman for the Popular Movement, which has made defending Amazigh language a key policy, said the channel will meet the expectations of people who do not speak Arabic. He worried, however, that the creation of the new channel would create a kind of separation. He believes that an alternative solution would have been to broadcast more Amazigh-language programmes on existing channels.

"We’re all part of one society," he said. "No Moroccan can say he is either 100% Arab or Amazigh. Morocco is made up of a cultural mix."

Overseas property guides for anyone interested in buying property in Tangiers, Morocco. Plus, find property in the rest of Morocco.

Tangiers is a city in northern Morocco and its location means that it has long been held as a gateway to the Arabic world for people from Europe.

Lying on the coast of the continent, near the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, the city has a population of 669,680.

It is the capital of the Tangier-Tetouan Region and has long attracted creative people from Europe. In fact, William S Burroughs and Malcolm Forbes both opted to live in the city during their lives.

To find property in Tangiers and elsewhere in Morocco, visit: www.justoverseas.co.uk/propertyinmorocco

As a result of its proximity to Europe and its enduring popularity with foreigners, the city has many international educational facilities. These include the American School of Tangier, the English College of Tangier and the Tangier Anglo Moroccan School.

Lonely Planet has noted that the city perfectly captures the mysticism and romance of Morocco, praising its “hint of spice".

What's more, it added: "Jostling crowds, the piquant tension of debate, space in perpetual motion - the minute you set foot in the country you know you've arrived somewhere very different."

The site yourkeytomorocco.co.uk added that the city has attracted people looking for second homes because of its "narrow passageways teeming with excitement all the way into its port area".

It added that two very popular destinations for people thinking of buying properties are the Avenue Mohamed VI on the beachfront and the Place de France in the Ville Nouvelle.

Finally, the site said that the area around Grand Socco square is popular, explaining: "Mendoubia Gardens in the surrounding area of the square is a calm and cool respite from the crowds of the marketplace."

Pros of Buying Property in Tangiers

Many people have recently tipped Morocco as a good spot for investments and this is particularly true of Tangiers.

Michael Kent, marketing director of Moroccan Sands, explained that people could buy a ''decent villa'' in Morocco for around half the price of equivalent property in the Costa del Sol.
He added: "[Morocco] is very much at an investment stage at the moment - over the next five years I think we are going to see some really exciting projects.

"It's the sleeping giant of Mediterranean tourism really - everybody knows about it and it comes out with very high approval ratings as a destination."

Indeed, the Global Property Guide showed that prices in the country remain very reasonable. Its data suggested that the average price for a home in the country is $1,973 per square metre.

Website theoffplanstore.com suggested that buyers need to make a decision about whether they want a new build property or a more traditional home in Tangiers.

It explained: "If you were attracted to Morocco by its vibrant culture you may simply prefer to plump for a charming riad or dar."

Cons of Buying Property in Tangiers

While many properties in the city do not have the correct title deeds, it is vital these are obtained before a purchase is completed. Without them, a person does not own the house, regardless of how much they paid for the property.

When buying in Tangiers, it is important to employ a notary. Some experts have also suggested that hiring a local solicitor could be useful as they can provide sound independent advice.

What you need to know when buying property in Morocco

Foreigners are generally encouraged to buy property in Morocco and do not typically find it hard to secure a mortgage. There are also no restrictions on selling a home; although a capital gains tax of 20 per cent is usually required.

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