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Moroccan who supports unwed mothers receives $1 million prize
TheCatholicSpirit.com Wednesday, 04 November 2009 By Maria Wiering opus_prize_winnermug.jpgAïcha Ech Channa, 68, vividly recalls the circumstances that compelled her to found a charitable organization to help unwed mothers in Casablanca, Morocco.
Official Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Moroccan who supports unwed mothers receives $1 million prize
It was 1985, and she was working in the Moroccan Ministry of Social Affairs. She daily encountered women and children who were affected by the society’s pressures for unwed mothers to abandon their newborn children, whether or not the mother wanted to keep the child.
In Moroccan culture at the time, children born outside of wedlock were not recognized with a family name or a place in society. Unwed mothers were similarly outcast as suspected prostitutes.
One day, a young woman emerged from the rain outside. She was pregnant and unmarried, but wanted to keep her baby. However, her father didn’t know she was pregnant, and her mother wasn’t talking to her, referring to her instead as "the hated one."
Ech Channa
Ech Channa and a co-worker risked punishment by visiting the woman’s parents and urging them to support their daughter’s desire to keep her child. Against the odds and their cultural mores, the parents relented. The young woman had a little girl.
Ech Channa worked with others to establish an organization to help unwed mothers, and Association Solidarité Féminine was born. In the 24 years since, the social enterprise has worked to empower women to be self-reliant and support them as they defy cultural precedent. Although laws have changed, not all hearts have, Ech
Channa told The Catholic Spirit through a French translator.
Years later, Ech Channa again met the mother, who repeated her thanksgiving for Ech Channa’s work and told her that her daughter was in medical school.
opus.jpg$1 million honor
For her unrelenting commitment to this cause in Morocco, Ech Channa was awarded the 2009 Opus Prize Nov. 4 at an event held at Minnesota Orchestra Hall.
The $1 million prize is the sixth annual prize awarded by the Minnetonka-based Opus Prize Foundation. Two other finalists were awarded $100,000. The honorees will use the money to further the work of their faith-motivated humanitarian organizations.
The foundation was established in 1994 by Gerry Rauenhorst, the founding chairman of the real-estate development company Opus Corporation. The first prize was awarded in 2004 and has since honored 16 individuals from the United States and around the world.
Each year, the Opus Prize Foundation partners with a university to award the prizes. This year, the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul administered the selection process and co-conferred the award.
Opus Prize winner Aïcha Ech Channa speaks passionately about her own life and her work with unwed mothers in Casablanca, Morocco. - Dianne Towalski / The Catholic Spirit
The prize is meant not only to honor the recipient, but to inspire students to aspire to work for social justice, said Amy Sunderland, executive director of the foundation.
The foundation has partnered exclusively with Catholic universities thus far because of Catholic social justice principles; however, the foundation may partner with other faith-based schools in the future, Sunderland said. Past honorees include non-Catholic Christians and non-Christians.
Although the prize recipient may have roots in any faith, this is the first year it has been awarded to a Muslim. The prize money is funded exclusively through the Opus Prize Foundation.
Motivated by faith
Ech Channa clearly recognizes the hand of God in Solidarité Féminine’s success and its ability to change hearts toward women and children in a vulnerable position.
Her faith has sustained her through condemnation by conservative Muslim leaders in Morocco who say her work perpetuates prostitution. However, Moroccan King Mohammed VI generously supports her work, which indicates a gain in its cultural acceptance.
Ech Channa’s work is also motivated by unique circumstances in her young life. Her father died when she was 3 years old, and her infant sister died shortly thereafter.
Her mother raised her alone; her father’s friends made it possible for Ech Channa to attend a French school, which was considered better than a Moroccan school.
After her mother remarried, she — without her husband’s knowledge — sent 12-year-old Aïcha from Marrakech to Casablanca by bus to escape her husband’s desire for Aïcha to quit school.
"I
grew up very quickly," Ech Channa said of this time in her life.
Her mother joined her in Casablanca three years later, and Ech Channa found work when she was 16 as a social work secretary. She describes the event as one of many "little birdies from God," as it was the catalyst for the chain of events that would lead her to discover the unrecognized world of unwed mothers and abandoned children. One abandoned girl told Ech Channa that she didn’t know what love was because she had only experienced hate. A mother of four and grandmother of four, Ech Channa relayed a heart-wrenching experience she had shortly after returning to her work at the Ministry of Social Affairs after a maternity leave. An unwed woman came to abandon her child, but was nursing her baby, which was a clear sign to Ech Channa that she hadn’t wanted to leave it. The baby was the same age as Ech Channa’s newborn. When the authorities arrived to take the baby away, they took the suckling baby from her so quickly that her breast milk spurt all over the baby’s face, causing it to scream. The memory haunted Ech Channa and motivated her to become a social worker. Today, Solidarité Féminine trains more than 50 women each year in literacy, human rights, cooking, baking, sewing, fitness services and accounting. Women also receive daily child care, and medical, social, psychological and legal support. It includes three day-care centers and training schools, two restaurants, four kiosks and a fitness center and spa. Operated on an annual budget of about $500,000, Solidarité Féminine is supported through the generosity of Moroccan, interfaith and international partners. Throughout Ech Channa’s social work career, she has worked with and been supported by Christians, including religious sisters. The award has caused Ech Channa many sleepless nights due to the weight of the responsibility it entails, she said. However, she intends for the prize money to help Solidarité Féminine financially maintain itself for years to come, as well as inspire other countries with similar social stigmas to have courage to change their culture. She views the prize as another "birdie from God" affirming her perseverance, as well as a hand reaching out to her from across the ocean, bridging people and cultures in love, she said. The two other Opus Prize finalists were Sister Valeriana García-Martín and Father Hans Stapel. Sister Valeriana, 68, founded the Asociación Hogares Luz y Vida
— Homes of Light and Life Association. The organization cares for physically and mentally disabled children and educates or provides day care services for children in Bogotá, Colombia.
Father Stapel, a Franciscan priest, is co-founder and president of Fazenda da Esperança
— Farms of Hope. He has established more than 60 therapeutic communities in 10 countries to help people with drug and alcohol addictions rebuild their lives. He lives in Guaratinguetá, Brazil.
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Understanding Morocco- opportunities for Business and Trade by WMAC
Washington Moroccan American Club Understanding Morocco -- Opportunities for Business and Trade
&
Global Economics and Business Seminar of the Washington Semester Program of the American University.
Speaker: Jean AbiNader, Moroccan America Cultural Center
Topic: Understanding Morocco -- Opportunities for Business and Trade
Location: American University, Washington, DC
Read more French version & English version bellow
Understanding Morocco -- Opportunities for Business and Trade Video 1/3
Understanding Morocco -- Opportunities for Business and Trade Video 2/3
Understanding Morocco -- Opportunities for Business and Trade Video 3/3
Washington, (MAP)- Les atouts économiques qu'offre le Maroc aux investisseurs américains ont été mis en exergue, jeudi soir, à Washington, lors d'une rencontre placée sous le thème "Connaitre le Maroc : des opportunités dans les secteurs des affaires et du commerce".
Organisé à l'American University à l'initiative du Washington Moroccan American Club, le débat a été notamment axé sur les réformes entreprises par le Maroc pour favoriser un cadre propice pour les investissements, les différents accords signés par le Royaume avec plusieurs pays, la main d'oeuvre qualifiée, le développement d'infrastructures de qualité et la stabilité politique.
"L'emplacement stratégique du Maroc, son économie croissante, le développement des infrastructures et les accords commerciaux avec plus de 40 pays font du Maroc une plateforme pour les investissements et l'exportation vers les pays du Moyen Orient, de l'Afrique et de l'Union Européenne", a souligné Jean AbiNader, du Moroccan American Culturel Center.
Il a cité, à cet égard, l'Accord d'association avec l'Union Européenne, l'accord d'Agadir signé avec l'Egypte, la Jordanie, et la Tunisie, ainsi que l'Accord de libre échange avec la Turquie.
Le Maroc compte également parmi les Etats bénéficiaires du Partenariat de Deauville, ajoute-t-il.
Le Royaume est aussi lié aux Etats-Unis par un accord de libre échange (ALE) qui offre une panoplie d'incitations, notamment fiscales et douanières ainsi qu'une protection du capital pour les sociétés américaines qui investissent au Maroc.
"Cet accord-phare permet aux exportateurs et investisseurs américains un accès presque illimité à des marchés en Europe, en Afrique, au Moyen-Orient et en Turquie", explique M. AbiNader.
L'ALE, en vigueur entre le Maroc et les USA depuis 2006, a permis d'éliminer la plupart des droits à l'importation, alors que les opérations commerciales US bénéficient des zones franches dans les ports marocains.
L'intervenant s'est également arrêté sur le statut d'allié majeur non-Otan accordé au Maroc.
Sur un autre registre, M. AbiNader a mis l'accent sur la tolérance religieuse qui caractérise le pays. Le Maroc est "un exemple dans la région en termes de tolérance religieuse, de reformes économiques et de promotion de la société civile", a-t-il fait remarquer.
Les derniers changements constitutionnels ont conforté davantage le processus de réformes du Maroc, considéré comme un modèle dans la région, affirme AbiNader.(MAP).
********
English version by Morocco World News
The economic advantages offered by Morocco to U.S. investors were highlighted Thursday night in a Washington D.C. meeting entitled "Knowing Morocco: opportunities in the areas of business and trade."
Held at American University by the Washington Moroccan American Club, the debate focused, in particular, on the reforms undertaken by Morocco to promote a safe environment for investment, the various agreements signed by the Kingdom with several countries, its skilled workforce, the development of high quality infrastructure and political stability.
"Morocco's strategic location, its growing economy, infrastructure development and trade agreements with more than 40 countries have turned the country into a platform for investments and exports to the Middle East, Africa and European Union, "said Jean AbiNader, of the Moroccan American Cultural Center.
The speaker also addressed the status of major non-NATO ally granted to Morocco.
On another note, Mr. AbiNader focused on the religious tolerance that characterizes the country. Morocco is "an example in the region in terms of religious tolerance, economic reform and promotion of civil society During the conference, AbiNader also cited different trade pacts, including the Association Agreement with the European Union, the Agadir Agreement signed with Egypt, Jordan, and Tunisia, and the Free Trade Agreement with Turkey. Morocco, in addition, is among the beneficiary states of the Deauville Partnership, he added.
The Kingdom is also linked to the United States by a free trade agreement (FTA), which offers a variety of incentives, both regarding taxes and customs as well as capital protection for U.S. companies investing in Morocco.
"This agreement ensures leading exporters and U.S. investors almost unlimited access to markets in Europe, Africa, Middle East and Turkey," said AbiNader.
The FTA, set up between Morocco and the United States in 2006, has eliminated most import duties, while US trade operations benefit from tax free zones in Moroccan ports.," he stated.
The latest constitutional changes have strengthened further the reform process in Morocco, considered a model in the region, said AbiNader.
Translated from French by Louise Riondel-Editing by Benjamin Villanti
New York, October 10, 2011-Morocco World News
Morocco's economic strengths highlighted in Washington
New York, October 10, 2011-Morocco World News
The economic advantages offered by Morocco to U.S. investors were highlighted Thursday night in a Washington D.C. meeting entitled "Knowing Morocco: opportunities in the areas of business and trade."
Les atouts économiques du Maroc mis en exergue à Washington( french version)
Washington, 7 oct (MAP)- Les atouts économiques qu'offre le Maroc aux investisseurs américains ont été mis en exergue, jeudi soir, à Washington, lors d'une rencontre placée sous le thème "Connaitre le Maroc : des opportunités dans les secteurs des affaires et du commerce".
Understanding Morocco – Opportunities for Business and Trade
You are invited! Washington Moroccan American Club & Global Economics and Business Seminar of the Washington Semester Program of the American University Understanding Morocco - Opportunities for Speaker:
Present
Business and Trade
Jean AbiNader, Moroccan America Cultural Center
Note from Joseph Braude to WMC, Dear members of the Washington Moroccan American Club,
In 2008 the Moroccan police became the first Arab security service to grant sustained, inside access to a writer, enabling him to spend four months reporting on their operations from inside a police precinct in Casablanca. I am that writer, and my new book on the experience is both a real-life murder mystery and an unusual examination of Moroccan society and government in the 21st century. It's called The Honored Dead: A Story of Friendship, Murder, and the Search for Truth in the Arab World. You can pick up a copy in most bookstores, or online via www.josephbraude.com .
"Honored dead" booking signing by Joseph Braude and WMAC
Joseph Braude and the Washington Moroccan American Club
Present
“the making of the “The Honored Dead”, by Joseph Braude”
Police in North Africa and the Middle East have a troubling history of human rights abuse and corruption, and their inner workings are opaque. But in 2008, one Arab government granted a Western journalist unprecedented access to its security services, and the outcome of his reporting offers gritty insights into the changes now underway throughout the Arab world.
"the making of the "The Honored Dead", by Joseph Braude" sponsored by WMC
Police in North Africa and the Middle East have a troubling history of human rights abuse and corruption, and their inner workings are opaque. But in 2008, one Arab government granted a Western journalist unprecedented access to its security services, and the outcome of his reporting offers gritty insights into the changes now underway throughout the Arab world.
Ambassador Aziz Mekouar farewell party
Ambassador Aziz Mekouar farewell party
After a very successful decade as the Moroccan ambassador to the United States of America, Mr. Aziz Mekouar will be returning to Morocco in September 2011.
Members of the Moroccan Community will host a Dinner party in his honor to bid him farewell and to thank him for all he did for Morocco and the Moroccan Community in the USA.
Please join us to celebrate this important event.
Date: Wednesday September 14, 2011
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Place: Maggiano’s Restaurant
5333 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20015
Washington 'encouraged' by the new draft constitution in Morocco
Washington - The United States is "encouraged" by the new draft constitution, whose basic elements were outlined by HM King Mohammed VI in a speech to the nation on June 17, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
Interview of Ambassador Edward M. Gabriel, Former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco
On June 17, 2011, King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced a series of proposed amendments to the country's constitution. The announcement followed a three-month review of the Moroccan constitution at the order of the King, after protest calling for reform began in February 2011. The Moroccan constitutional reforms are significant and unprecedented in the Arab world, as King Mohammed VI is clearly attempting to get in front of the demands for change sweeping the Middle East. Some skepticism remains, however, as to the extent of constitutional checks placed on the King's powers and whether Morocco will become a true constitutional monarchy.
Morocco Bets on Reform By Peter Pham
At a time when, as the experts assembled at a symposium earlier this month hosted by the Atlantic Council's Ansari Africa Center noted, the fate of both the "Arab Spring" in general and the North African revolutions in particular remain far from certain, Morocco has made an audacious bet with the new constitution that King Mohammed VI unveiled in a televised speech last Friday. If the proposed charter is approved by voters in a refer-endum next month, the country will once again prove itself to be an exception, both in the Arab world and on the African continent, where integral transformation voluntarily undertaken and carried out both with respect for history, religion, and culture, and at an appropriate speed can offer a path to the future that balances the competing demands of stability and openness to change.
The Arab Spring has broken out in Morocco by David Ottaway from the Wilson Center
The Arab Spring has broken out in Morocco pushing King Mohammed VI to put forth in lightning speed a new constitution requiring an elected rather than an appointed prime minister, the first such step in any of the eight monarchies or even most of the "democratic" republics of the Arab world
The King's Speech vs. The Dictator's Deceit
Amb. Marc Ginsberg
Former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco
The King's Speech vs. The Dictator's Deceit
It is the tale of two Arabian cities. As the crow flies, Morocco's capital Rabat and Syria's capital Damascus are about 2,500 miles from each other. But judging by the context and content of the respective national addresses delivered within hours of each other this weekend, Morocco's King Mohammed and Syria's Bashar Al Assad might as well have been a million miles apart from each other.
In Morocco: A Quiet Revolution?
North Africa, Middle East, Middle East Unrest, Democracy Promotion
Kenneth M. Pollack, Director, Saban Center for Middle East Policy
The Brookings Institution
You probably won't be surprised to hear it, but there is something potentially very important going on that isn't getting the attention it deserves. It's happening in Morocco, where King Muhammad VI recently began to lay out the key provisions of a new constitution--something he first promised several months ago in response to popular protests as the Arab spring swept across his Kingdom.
The New Moroccan Constitution: Real Change or More of the Same?
Marina Ottaway Commentary, June 20, 2011
The constitution King Mohammed VI announced to his country on June 17 has been greeted by Moroccans with a great deal of ambivalence. Although it appears to be a foregone conclusion that a majority of Moroccans will vote "yes" in the referendum announced for July 1, many will do so with reservations. The young protesters who have been organizing periodic demonstrations beginning on February 20-hence the name, February 20 movement-have already announced that they do not intend to stop their actions. In fact, protests took place on June 19, drawing thousands of protesters in Casablanca and smaller numbers in other cities.
Women and the New Media in the Mediterranean Region
Isis Centre for Women and Development organizes the fifth edition of the international Forum “Mediterranean Women” under the theme : Women and the New Media in the Mediterranean Region on June 24, 25 and 26, 2011 at Palais des Congrès, Fez, Morocco
Presentation will be in Arabic, French and English with simultaneous translation
Conference Director : Fatima Sadiqi
Press release on MWN ( Morocco world News)
Press release, New York, May 30, 2011
We are pleased to announce the launching of the online-based news outlet Morocco World News. Fruit of the efforts and perseverance of a group of Moroccan and foreign journalists, political analysts, researchers and university professors, MWN comes to fill the vacuum of information in the English language on Morocco, North Africa and the Middle-East.
Magical Morocco festival organized by Washington Moroccan American Club Oct 2004
Moroccan Festival in Washington Suburb Draws Thousands of Visitors
By Elizabeth Kelleher
Washington File Special Correspondent
McLean, Virginia -- A small patch of land outside Washington at the McLean Community Center was turned into a real Moroccan "souk," or marketplace, recently, as vendors hawked brightly colored Moroccan clothing, rugs, pottery, brass, jewelry, tile and ceramics.
واشنطن 4 - 10 - 2004 ( بقلم قدور الفطومي) عاش فضاء المركز السوسيو تربوي لماكلين ( ولاية فرجينيا) أمس الأول السبت على إيقاعات المهرجان الثقافي الخريفي الذي تركز هذه السنة على المغرب تحت شعار " المغرب الساحر: من الصحراء إلى البحر ".
W.USA Channel 9 ( ABC)
It's just one example of a culture that brings people together.
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