Berbers | Amazighs
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Snow in Moroccoʹs Atlas mountains
Calling the King to account
This yearʹs bitter weather conditions, characterised by unusually heavy snowfalls in the Atlas mountains, merely highlight the Moroccan governmentʹs neglect of its poorest regions and the rural Amazigh community. By Matthew Greene
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The Islamic reformer Ibn Tumart
The man who changed the course of Islamic history
Ibn Tumart is considered the spiritual founder of the Berber dynasty of the Almohads in the twelfth century. His once revolutionary ideas sent shockwaves through the entire Arab world, ultimately resulting in violent tensions. By Mohamed Yosri
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The "Hirak El-Shaabi" protest movement in Morocco
The uprising of the marginalised
For several weeks now, clashes have been raging in Morocco between the nation's security forces and members of a new protest movement, "Hirak El-Shaabi", which is calling for autonomy, social justice and the release of political prisoners in the north African country. By Mohamed Lamrabet
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Morocco′s Amazigh
The long road to recognition
Morocco′s Amazigh captured a historic achievement in 2011 when constitutional measures following the country′s February 20th protests officially recognised the Amazigh culture and language. But six years on, many Amazigh are dissatisfied with the reform process and continue to complain of discrimination. By Matthew Greene
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Tuareg fusion
Desert cats
"Passionate about the Tuareg" see themselves as cultural ambassadors. The musical project is the result of co-operation between two bands – one from southern Tunisia and the other from the Libyan Sahara. What unites them is a desire to revive the musical heritage of their forefathers through modern re-interpretation. By Valerie Stocker
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Algeria′s disillusioned majority
Desperately seeking voters
Algeria's upcoming parliamentary poll is failing to spark the interest of the populace. Few have any hope that the discredited political class will provide solutions to the country′s pervasive social malaise. At the same time, a handful of dedicated civil society campaigns are focusing on initiating change at grassroots level. Sofian Philip Naceur reports from Algiers and Oran
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Unrest in Algeria
Shaking the social foundations
Algeria′s austerity measures are driving protests among its previously acquiescent middle class and the state is hardening its stance against such unrest. An analysis by Idriss Jebari
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Book review: ″The New Waw: Saharan Oasis″ by Ibrahim al-Koni
Cultivating the strange
Recognised with the 2015 National Translation Award last autumn, Ibrahim al-Koni′s novel ″The New Waw: Saharan Oasis″ may seem an odd choice. After all his latest work manages to flout Western literary conventions and confound reader expectations. And yet, argues Marcia Lynx Qualey, that is precisely its appeal
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Conflict between Arabs and Berbers in Algeria
A social minefield
Hostilities between Berbers and Arab tribes in eastern Algeria in early July claimed at least 22 lives and left dozens injured. The Algerian Defence Ministry has announced that it is sending troops into the restive province of Ghardaia to put an end to the violence. Andreas Gorzewski takes a closer look at the background to this recent escalation
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Ethnic conflict in Algeria
A struggle for power and recognition
Algeria's non-Arab minorities are up in arms. The ethnic conflict between Arabs and Berbers is weakening the already fragile stability of the Maghreb state. By Susanne Kaiser