Approaching Rabat, the capital of Morocco, we prepared for a series of two special events and activities. We didn't get to really explore the city, but the following two stories make up for it:
1) We arrived in the afternoon for a date at the home of the U.S. Ambassador. His doorway was adorned with a Frank Meisler Mezzuzah, indicating his religious identity and comfort level. While the house was beautifully laid out, the backyard was also incredible, from the pool and gardens to the appetizers and drinks from home, A&W root beer, and Coor's Lite.
Here's a little of what Ambassador Kaplan shared with us. Check out his first words about PA(D) Sen. Bob Casey.
Here are some other details the Ambassador shared:
-In Casablanca, the joint-distribution committee and the Jewish community work together on building projects, which is very rare. One of his duties it to work on a U.N. human rights report, and it's amazing, he finds, that there are really no negatives for the Jews here. They have a very positive relationship with King Muhammad VI.
-There is a distinction between Jews and the Israeli government. The U.S. is often blamed for the actions of the Israeli government, but no country in the area has tried to mediate the Middle-East conflict more than Morocco.
-Morocco is 99% Muslim, and family values are very strong here. As his wife points out, it's like a country packed with Jewish mothers.
-In Casablanca, the joint-distribution committee and the Jewish community work together on building projects, which is very rare. One of his duties it to work on a U.N. human rights report, and it's amazing, he finds, that there are really no negatives for the Jews here. They have a very positive relationship with King Muhammad VI.
-There is a distinction between Jews and the Israeli government. The U.S. is often blamed for the actions of the Israeli government, but no country in the area has tried to mediate the Middle-East conflict more than Morocco.
-Morocco is 99% Muslim, and family values are very strong here. As his wife points out, it's like a country packed with Jewish mothers.
-There is an obvious sense of prejudice towards Islam in the U.S. However, Ambassador Kaplan blamed the media for strengthening these judgments, and insisted that this was not a majority view.
-Morocco didn't engage in foreign investments in the recent past, so rather than suffering like the American economy, the country has a surplus. However, while there is little poverty, there is a very small middle class. As a result, the U.S. has offered $190 Million.
-The Ambassador's previous work has involved law, nursing home management, and campaigning.
-There are 400 employees in the U.S. Embassy in Rabat, including a chief operating officer. Kaplan is the chief executive officer. Each day for him begins with an intelligence report...
-The Ambassador's previous work has involved law, nursing home management, and campaigning.
-There are 400 employees in the U.S. Embassy in Rabat, including a chief operating officer. Kaplan is the chief executive officer. Each day for him begins with an intelligence report...
-Moroccans believes justice is best served by his majesty as secular leader and ruler of the faithful.
-Everywhere Ambassador Kaplan goes he has 8 security guards. He often feels like he's in a nursing home. His security make him breakfast, direct him when he's walking on steps (he's not that old!), and laugh at his jokes.
-He doesn't know Arabic, is working on his French (there are deep immersion programs for young translators)
-He doesn't know Arabic, is working on his French (there are deep immersion programs for young translators)
-Lots of work on Western Saharra
-Millenia(listm) challenge grant to fight poverty, fruit trees, orchards, irrigration, literarcy (not english), 60% literacy (first time the fund has been used theis way, not used this way elswhere)
-Morocco-U.S. relationship not effected by wikileaks
-Morocco VERYcomitted to antiterrorism
-Moroccoan extremism comes from moroccans outside of the country (deported...)
Ambassador Kaplan has 3 primary responsibilities:
1 enhance bilateral relationship
2 deepen economic relationship
3 protect interests of americans
After a night in a local hotel, I awoke Tuesday to some wonderful news about a certain Philadelphia Phillie! But I had to mask the excitement, because today:
2) The group was visiting the Hassan Tower, a large area containing both an unfinished Mosque intended to be the largest in the world (with a minaret modeled on the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh!), as well as a Mausoleum. There lie King Hassan II and Muhammad V. In an effort to recognize King Muhammad V's support of the Jews, and public condemnation of the Holocaust, we not only visited the impressive site, but recited a Hebrew prayer. As you can see, we, especially the ladies, dressed accordingly and took off our shoes upon entering. Afterwards, we had a short discussion with a member of the Jewish community of Rabat.
2) The group was visiting the Hassan Tower, a large area containing both an unfinished Mosque intended to be the largest in the world (with a minaret modeled on the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakesh!), as well as a Mausoleum. There lie King Hassan II and Muhammad V. In an effort to recognize King Muhammad V's support of the Jews, and public condemnation of the Holocaust, we not only visited the impressive site, but recited a Hebrew prayer. As you can see, we, especially the ladies, dressed accordingly and took off our shoes upon entering. Afterwards, we had a short discussion with a member of the Jewish community of Rabat.
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