marrakech express ss magazine4

EditorialEditorialEditorialEditorial inside...

ArticlesArticlesArticlesArticles

PoemsPoemsPoemsPoems

ShortShortShortShort storiesstoriesstoriesstories

LettersLettersLettersLetters

CrosswordCrosswordCrosswordCrossword puzzlespuzzlespuzzlespuzzles

JokesJokesJokesJokes

Etc...Etc...Etc...Etc...

SPRING, 2002 A STUDENTS’ MAGAZINE ISSUE N°4

Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech page 1

IMPORTANT!

Students are invited

to contribute to this

magazine. Best

writings will receive

prizes. You can

submit Your writ-

ings to Your teach-

ers of English or

send them to the e-

mail address at the

back cover of this

issue.

ear student, Every day, 5.500 children

die from diseases caused by con-

suming water and food polluted

with bacteria, according to a new

study released recently by three

United Nations agencies at the

occasion of the 27th UN special

session on children (New York

2002).

Every day, another number of

innocent children (the figure must

be more alarming than the previ-

ous one) die in wars and armed

conflicts they have neither caused

nor chosen to be part of.

So, whether we accept it or not,

children are the greatest victims

of environmental degradation and

wars, both of which are stupidly

caused by adults. This is happen-

ing almost everywhere in the

world, but the conditions are

unfortunately even worse in the

heart of the Arab world: Pales-

tine.

In the West Bank and Gaza strip,

children do continuously face the

biggest challenges to survival,

health, education and well-being.

Death is always round the corner,

simply because the barbaric Is-

raeli crackdown on the “still-

occupied territories” refuses to

make any difference between ba-

bies, children, and adults.

Another fact the Israelis refuse

to admit is that their atrocities

deprive the Palestinians of their

basic human rights, and it is

known that the denial of these

Rights is the shortest way to sow the

seeds of hatred, violence and conflict

within and between societies and na-

tions.

So in the name of all our students, who

contributed to the contents of this

magazine with a large number of poems

and essays on Palestine, we do firmly

denounce this blind Israeli barbarism,

and at the same time we call for a

world “fit for children” everywhere on

our planet, because “a world fit for

children is fit for everyone.” We do

also insist on the fact that children

should not only be seen, but they

should also be heard, especially when

they raise their voices to tell us:

“we are not the sources of problems,

we are the resources that are

needed to resolve them; we are not

expenses, we are investments; we

are not just young people, we are

people and citizens of this world.

You call us future, but we are the

present.”*

And because we believe that “actions

speak louder than words,” we call on

our Arab people in general and our stu-

dents in particular to be more creative

in showing their solidarity with the Pal-

estinian people.

Finally, we would like to dedicate this

issue to the Palestinian children who

face the Zionist fighters, troops and

tanks with “sweet anger and a revolu-

tion of stones.”** * from the children’s statement at the UN

special session on children (2002).

**from Abdelatif Jwahri’s poem on Palestine

The Regional Board of MATE

2MARRAKECH EXPRESS2 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002

Loneliness

… A week had passed, and she still felt lonely. At that rainy night, she stood near the

window, meditating on the rain and looking at the street that was lonely and mournful

like her.

Poor thing! She had lived lonely after her parents’ death, but when she found the person

who would break her loneliness, she felt as if she had been born again. Now at that sad

night, she lived alone after her husband’s trip to another country on business. What

would she do?

The sound of the rain broke the deep silence and

savage loneliness. She did not know why that

night was particularly frightening, but in that

fear, there was more tranquillity than the other

nights.

The rain ceased to fall. Now, she was standing

near the chimney, meditating on the fire and lis-

tening to the sound of wood being burnt. A voice

of a man was heard breaking the silence. She

was confused and frightened. “What if he broke

into the house and her husband is not there?”

She thought. While she was still wondering what

to do, a shadow was hurrying towards the front door. When he opened it, she found out

that it was her husband. She ran to him and broke into tears. He calmed her down and

smiled to her as usual. She stopped crying and went to bed with a big smile on her face.

Samira Chaouki / 3LM/Preformation

page Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech 2

MARRAKECH EXPRESS ISSUE 4 SPRING 2002

SPACE EXPLORATION

Although space exploration is very beneficial

to mankind, it is seen as a waste of money.

In fact, space exploration is one of the mar-

vellous achievements of mankind. It is bene-

ficial to humanity in three respects. First, it

provides jobs, and helps solving the problem

of unemployment. Second, it improves ser-

vices. And third, it answers the desire of hu-

mans to learn. Thanks to space exploration,

scientists have managed

to explore other planets.

On the other hand, space exploration

can be seen as a waste of money. Its

biggest disadvantage people’s problems

on Earth. For example, people suffer

from poverty, illnesses, unemployment

and famine in countries like Somalia

and Ethiopia.

To sum up, money should be spent on

Earth first, and then on space.

By Khadija Chafiqi


To The Rich

Do you forget or ignore

That your wealth is given by God?

Do you forget or ignore

That your money is offered by God?

Why are you proud of your wealth?

Why are you proud of your health?

Don’t be tempted by earthly life,

Take Qaroun as a model.

Beware of the wiles of Satan,

And know that money is his weapon.

Money’s passing is quick,

As rapidly as a blink.

Therefore, don’t forget the faith,

And don’t forget death.

Give thanks to God,

Be obedient to God.

By Abdelmajid Rouhi / 2LM


MARRAKECH EX3PRESS3 ISSUE4 SPRING 2002

National Film Festival :

The Consecration of Young Talent

The sixth National Film Festival, that

took place in Marrakech, re-emphasized

what was already suspected for sometime,

namely that Moroccan cinema has found a

new impetus through the work of its young

filmmakers.

Marrakech opened its doors wide to a

cinema that is slowly awakening. This

year’s selection of films; however, was

some what unusual, and the talent of cer-

tain filmmakers was noteworthy, starting

with that of Nabil Ayouch. The young

director, thanks to his film “Ali ZAOUA”,

shot with street urchins, was the grand win-

ner of this festival, which surprised hardly

anyone. He was awarded the main prizes

for best screenplay as well as that for best

dialogue. On French screens since March

21st, “Ali Zaoua” is without doubt one of

the best Moroccan films in many years.

Another equally talented young film-

maker is Nour Eddine Lakhmari. He won

for his short film “In The Talons Of The

Night” whose subject was the feeling of

exile and loneliness in the depths of prosti-

tution. It won the critics’ and the director’s

prize. Ahmed Boulane’s film “Ali and

Rbiaa and the Others” was unhappily

only screened for a week; it was neverthe-

less rewarded for its inherent worth. He

won the prize for Best first Film, the Press

Prize, the prize for Best Editing, and the

Best Supporting Actor for Hassan El Fad.

Faouzi Bensaidi, director of “The Wall”

and “The Elliff”, received a special men-

tion from the jury for his two short sub-

jects. “The Wall” was presented and re-

warded at Cannes last year. Besides the

quality of these works, the quantity was

worth noting. This year 15 feature films

and 17 shorts have been shown. Only 15

years ago, just three films were produced

each year. For the last five years, thanks

to government support, particularly from

the Moroccan Center for Cinematogra-

phy, the national film industry has experi-

enced an upturn mirroring Morocco to-

day, according to Mehdi Qotbi, director

of this festival. He said, “I think we are at

an important moment in our history, and

this art is a reflection of how a society

lives".

These films continue to be seen. Some

will compete next September in the Inter-

national Film Festival that will also take

place in Marrakech. Participation, there

will be a source of pride. As Andre

Azoulay recently correctly commented,

“we are seeing a renaissance, an emer-

gence and an increased professionalism in

the Moroccan cinema”.

This 6th Festival is a proof that these

filmmakers can accept the challenge of

quality and professionalism and is even

on an international level. The date is set

for next September.

Chosen by: Aouis Ouady / 3LM, OLA




these things that threaten our

health, our happiness, and

our civilization.

I think everyone should

contribute in the fight against

pollution. Everyone should

begin with himself. For ex-

ample, everyone ought to put

garbage in boxes and not just

throw it anywhere. We must

recycle all the throw away

garbage collector. All those

factories that pollute our en-

vironment must pay taxes. At

least it would decrease the

pollution of the air and the

water. Pollution is a problem

everyone can help to solve by

cutting down unnecessary

buying, too much consump-

tion and careless disposal of

the products we use in our

daily lives.

I know that we cannot

overcome pollution com-

pletely, but at least we can

slow down its speed by work-

ing together.

Chosen by Najat Karj/

1Sc, OLA

be disposed of. The most im-

portant example is the waste

products from nuclear power

stations.

Many people, therefore, see

pollution as part of a complex

problem, others see the prob-

lem mainly in connection

with agriculture, where new

methods are helping farmers

to grow more cereals and

vegetables on their land by

using fertilizers.

Food comes wrapped up

three or four times in packages

that all have to be disposed of.

Drinks are increasingly sold in

bottles or tins which cannot be

re-used. This, not only causes

garbage problem, but is also a

great waste of resources, espe-

cially glass, metal, and paper.

Advertising has helped this

process by persuading many

of us not only to buy things

we neither want nor need, but

also to throw away much of

what we buy.

There’s no doubt that much

of the pollution caused could

be controlled if companies,

individuals and government

were ready to make more ef-

forts. In the homes there is an

obvious need to control trash

and waste. People cannot re-

move pollution completely

because modern people pol-

lute with everything they do.

So, we must be aware of all

I have spent a long time dis-

cussing this issue with my

family, friends and teachers,

but I have not yet found a con-

vincing answer.

If you have any reply to my

question, please let me know.

Best Wishes to all.

Asmae Zrikem / 1Sc

Do We Really Lack Intelligence

And Hard Work?

Dear Friends,

I would like you to help me find

an answer to this question: How

can we achieve development in

Science and Technology?

Don’t you think that intelligence

and hard work are what we need?

Pollution Is Every One’s

Problem

Today, people all over the

world are beginning to hear

and learn more and more

about the problem of pollu-

tion, which is one of the most

serious issues facing people

everywhere in the world. So,

why don’t we think about it

seriously?

The more we buy, the more

we throw away, and the more

we throw away waste, the

worst our environment be-

comes. More and more people

produce more wastes, but this

problem is intensified by our

throw away technology, which

upsets the environmental and

the ecological balance.

Pollution is often caused by

useful goods or services. For

example, cars that cause pollu-

tion are used by many people.

People cause pollution by

throwing garbage anywhere.

While more and more new

goods are produced and made

more complex, there will be

new and dangerous wastes to




It gives us light at night,

By its lamps which are bright.

The wind is blowing,

The sky is glowing.

This world is splendid,

It keeps me company as a friend,

It makes me laugh,

When I get worried or sad.

By Abdelmajid Rouhi / 2LM

Some Spices for atmosphere

can lean back on cushions. The circle is

the perfect shape to accommodate a

flexible number of guests without caus-

ing discomfort. Thus, at our homes, an

invited friend can arrive

with his own friends with-

out causing problems. You

can squeeze around the ta-

ble where you just have to

add two or three more cush-

ions or you just prepare a

second round table. I have

said that our dishes are large

enough to serve twice as

many expected guests, and

we always serve two or

three main courses. This spontaneous

welcome and this pleasure in being able

to arrive unannounced without disturbing

the harmony of the dinner party are un-

doubtedly the things that most impress

visitors to Morocco.

Aouis Ouady Zerktouni / 3LM

Moroccans, friendly to foreigners, have a

reputation for generosity and legendary hos-

pitability. When they receive guests at their

table, they serve dishes worthy of their repu-

tation in abundance, superb pres-

entation and sure to excite appe-

tites on sight. The serving plate

is always large, decorated and

matched in color to the food be-

ing served. Its presentation is the

result of careful attention, the

meats and the vegetables are ar-

ranged in an artistic fashion and

enhanced by the colours of

spices, olives, crystallized lem-

ons, peppers on dried fruits.

Spices also play their role by adding warmth

to the ambience. You know that if every-

thing is not exciting, they are at least eupho-

riant and inclined to immediately induce a

sense of well being for the guests. This well

being is further encouraged by our custom of

receiving guests at a round table where they

Nature

I hear the noise of waters,

I smell the perfume of flowers,

I see greatest things,

And wonderful beings.

I hear an awful thunder,

I hear the bubbling water,

I see a high sky,

It’s a glowing sky.

Duty embraces man’s whole existence. It begins

at home where there is the duty of parents to-

wards their children and vice versa. There are

likewise the respective duties of husbands and

wives, and of masters and servants. On the other

hand, outside home there are duties of men and

women as friends and neighbours, as employers and employees, and as governors and governed.

Duty surrounds our whole life, from our birth

through our whole existence. Duty is due to

superiors, inferiors and equals. There is duty

towards men and God. Whenever there is

power to use or direct, there is duty for we are

but stewards appointed to employ the means

given to us for our own and others’ good.

Khaoula Choukrallah / 2 LM

Duty



p a g e Published under the auspices of MATE local branch of Marrakech 6

Suffering

EL Mahdia is a small and poor village

where Leila and her father lived. She was

15 years old. She was the prettiest girl in

her village. She had a yellow hair and blue

eyes. Her father was 56 years old .They

lived in a small house in poverty. Her father

had a stroke. He couldn’t move from place

to place. They didn’t have money to live

like other people.

This was why

Leila decided to

look for work so

as to help her

family and to

buy medicines to

her father, but

she didn’t find

work .

Two weeks

later, Ali, the

richest man in

the village, invited all girls and boys in El

Mahdia so as to work in his new factory.

Leila was very pleased to hear that. She

worked with great enthusiasm and eager-

ness although she faced many problems.

She was worried by her father’s health con-

dition. Besides, her work was far from

where she lived. Thus, she couldn’t look

after the father daily. She spoke to her man-

a g e r a b o u t h e r c o n d i t i o n s .

In the factory Leila met a lot of friends.

She lived with two girls. Their names were

Hafida and Mina. They got on well with

each other. To lessen her suffering, Leila

exposed her problems to her friends. A

month later, Leila received sad news. Her

father passed away. Quickly she went back

to the village to attend the funeral. As the

coffin was buried in the grave, Leila felt

lonely, sick and afraid. She could not stop

crying.

Ten days later, Ali, the manager, advised

Leila to go back to work and told her that

death was inevitable. In the long run, she

surrendered to fate and began to work. Eve-

rybody helped her so as to overcome her

psychological suffering. Her friends even

suggested that she should be accustomed to

reading the Holy Koran. Having believed all

what friends said, Leila got used to reading

the Koran and was involved in her work

a g a i n w i t h s h e e r i n t e r e s t .

At the end of the year, Ali, the manager of

the firm, decided to make a ceremony.

Therefore, he invited all the workers to at-

tend the party. Hind and Hafida went with

Leila to a clothes shop. At first, Leila refused

to go as she was penniless. They bought her

a n e w d r e s s a s a g i f t .

At the party, all workers were wearing new

clothes. Leila was a late comer. She was the

odd one out. A spokesman on behalf of the

workers spoke about everything about

Leila’s suffering and conditions. At the end

of the cere-

mony, the

manager in-

vited Leila

and had a

special talk

with her. As a

result, he

helped her

f i n a n c i a l l y

and morally.

He knew that

she was edu-

cated. So he suggested that she should teach

small children in the village.

Then she became a good teacher in

her village. She built a small school to edu-

c a t e a n d h e l p p o o r p e o p l e .

A few months later, the manager got married

to Leila and led a fantastic life. They had a

baby named Youness. Together, they helped

the poor and fought against illiteracy, dis-

eases and social ills in the village.

Aouatif boucetta / 3LM




Experimenting on Animals

Experimenting on animals is both positive and negative. It

is largely accepted because it has many practical benefits.

It enables scientists to develop cures for many diseases.

Also, it is not possible to develop vaccines against many

serious illnesses without ex-

perimentation.

If we don’t experiment on ani-

mals, we will inevitably have to

use humans. However, I con-

sider that human life is much

more important than that of a

monkey or a rat. I agree that we

have to respect the life of ani-

mals because it is the creation

of God, but when it comes to research in science, using

animals is the only resort.

Experimenting on animals is also the right way to dispose

of the unwanted animals in the street, which are some-

times dangerous for people.

There are enough reasons to believe, though, that this suf-

fering inflicted on animals is unnecessary. Even if scien-

tists claim that experimenting on animals is conducted for

the welfare of humanity, research sometimes might bene-

fit no one.

Hicham Ahyoud / 3LM

Jerusalem is occupied and crashed.

The Palestinians are punished.

They are homeless.

They are weaponless.

Oh! What’s a despotism

That comes from Zionism!

But, never mind!

I will protect you,

I won’t let you alone,

I will struggle with the stone,

Until the appearance of dawn,

Till the return of the pigeon.

By Rouhi / 2LM

The innocents’ blood

When will the olive branch begin to grow?

Oh! What a pity that I don’t know!

When will this rough sea get quiet?

It’s a rough sea of that horrid fight,

Which is led by that despotic vulture

Who depends on the arms of fire.

JOKES

* There were three restaurants on

the same block. One day one of

them put up a sign which said: “The

Best Restaurant in the City.”

The next day, the largest restaurant

on the block put up a larger sign

which said: “The Best Restaurant

in the World.”

On the third day, the smallest res-

taurant put up a small sign which

said "The Best Restaurant on this

Block."

* What’s the difference between a

bird and a fly?

A bird can fly, but a fly cant bird.

* Three men stranded in a desert

found a lamp. The first man acci-

dentally rubbed the lamp and a

genie came out. The genie said

they could each have one wish.

One man said, "I miss my family, I

wish I was home." The genie

granted his wish.

The next man said, "I miss my

family too, I wish I was home."

The genie granted his wish.

The last guy said, "I miss my

friends, I wish they were back."

The genie granted his wish.




We are all angry about what is happening in Palestine.

Should we allow Jerusalem to be in the Zionist hands? I’m

sure we will not because Jerusalem is the second holy place

for Muslims after Mecca.

We all know that the United States supports the Israelis.

Otherwise, it would have been easier for us to defeat them.

Arabs should understand that we can fight the Israelis, not

with arms, but through the media. We should show to the

whole world what the butcher Sharon and his dirty soldiers

have done and will do if we do not stop them.

Moreover, we should be cautious about the Zionist ideology, which is based on false

ideas, and claims the right for having complete control over all Palestine. We should stop

this by force and not by words.

I sometimes hope that another Salah Eddine will return to save that land. We are in need

of a man like him to say “Go Intifada”.

Mustapha Ait Bouallal / 3LM

“We have had enough”

Seas of blood, piles of corpses,

homes, schools, monuments, mosques

are demolished.

We have had enough.

The foes are widespread everywhere,

like a cactus in the desert,

like black points in white,

like a dangerous sickness in a baby.

We have had enough.

What about plants, flowers, forests

that you cut?

What about Ahmed Eddorra

that you killed?

Where are you Arabs?

Be sure that a small granule of sand

deserves sacrifice.

For each drop of a mother's tears

for each child's smile

for each old man's prayer

you have to sacrifice.

Don't be glad Israeli soldiers.

One day the sun of justice

that you have covered for a long time will shine over all Palestine. The blood that you poured from our bod-ies

will be plants and flowers. And our mothers’ tears will irrigate them And Palestine will be a paradise. So don't sleep Arabs. Don't forget we are one body. We are a necklace

if one diamond is lost the others are dull. We don't ask for charity. This is our right. Fight for your rights as Muslims, as Arabs, We have to fight for the peace of our hearts, for our dignity.

Don't be shy and afraid; you're stronger if you're united And remember that we have had enough.

Samira Chaouki/ 3LM1

“Go Intifada” Reflections on Palestine




The crisis in Palestine is a

big and complex one.

Many people ignore its

history and reality.

The crisis started in

1917 when Belfore prom-

ised the Israelis that they

would build their inde-

pendent country in Pales-

tine with Jerusalem as its

capital. As a result, the

Israelis began to immigrate

from Britain, the United

States of America, Canada,

Russia, and from all over

the world to the Holy

Land. As a matter of fact,

various violations of the

Palestinians' rights were

committed.

First, the Israelis ex-

pelled the Palestinians

from their own lands.

Therefore, they became

refugees in foreign coun-

tries such as Lebanon, Jor-

dan, Syria and many other

parts of the world. The

Palestinian refugees have

always claimed their right

to return to their homeland,

but the Israeli government

refuses that

because if they return, the

Palestinian population will

outnumber that in Israel.

Second, the rights to life,

and to live in freedom and

safety for the Palestinians

have also been violated.

They have always lived in

fear and horror because of

the arbitrary killings and ex-

plosions performed by the

Israeli military forces.

Moreover, the Israelis tor-

ture and kill the Palestinians

and treat them not as human

beings, but as animals or

even less, which defies the

Universal Declaration of Hu-

man Rights and all the inter-

national conventions and rec-

ommendations.

The massacres of Jeanine

are big evidence showing

that the Israeli policy makers

are monsters in human's

shape. They rape the Pales-

tinian women. They not only

kill the people but also burn

them and take their bodies

far from the area so that they

can hide their crimes. They

ignore the

basic rights of the Palestinians

and those of humanity as a

whole. Also, the Zionist sol-

diers destroy houses, shops

and cut off electricity and wa-

ter. As a result of that, a lot of

children suffer in Jeanine and

in all the occupied territories

from lack of water, food, milk

and medicine. The smell of the

corpses that are thrown every-

where threatens their health

and lives, which makes people

round the world predict a hu-

man catastrophe.

Besides, the Palestinians do

not have the right to go to

schools or hospitals because

the Israeli soldiers ban people

from going to schools and also

prevent the ambulances to take

the injured to the local hospi-

tals.

People wonder why Arab

leaders are silent about what is

happening in the area. Is the

blood of the Palestinian chil-

dren, women and men so

cheap?

Finally, I would like to say

that America is supporting this

war against the Palestinians

because it is the source of ter-

rorism. Most Moroccan people

are disappointed by its policy

and especially by its president

who compares martyrdom to

terrorism and at the same time

declares that he understands

Sharon's criminal policy as

self-defence. Who then will

protect the Palestinians' rights

and save their lives???

Lamiae Hozal / 3LM1

« A war with no title »




A SHORT PLAY

The Cast of characters:

Amina

Ahmed (her husband)

Alhajja (her neighbour)

Aicha (the maid)

Bouchta (the maid’s father)

Najma (Aicha’s sister)

AMINA: Oh no! I’m fed up with all this labour.

Everyday cleaning, washing and sweeping. I wish I

had a maid .Why not? I should talk my husband.

Yes, I should. Once he comes,

I’ll try to convince him.

(At 12:20 p.m. Ahmed comes

back home carrying his bag. He

is very tired)

AHMED: Amina ... Amina.

Where are you?

AMINA: Yes, darling. I’m here.

What’s the matter with you?

You look tired. How was your

day?

AHMED: Terrible! I had a lot of

work. Have you prepared some-

thing for lunch?

AMINA: Of course. Just two

minutes and everything is going

to be ready.

(Amina takes her husband’s bag

to put it on the desk while going towards the

Kitchen. At that time Ahmed is lying on the sofa.)

AMINA: Ah! Your best meal is ready and it’s wait-

ing for you.

AHMED: Oh my God! All this amount of food for

me!

AMINA: Yes for you…. Just for you.

AHMED: Thanks God. I’m lucky to have such a

good wife.

(While Ahmed is eating, Amina is looking forward

to an opportunity to tell him her idea. Suddenly,

Ahmed glances at her eyes and says)

AHMED: Amina, do you want to say something?

AMINA: No. I …I… I just want to tell you that I’m

about to have a baby. So I need a maid to help

me.AHMED: But where can I find a maid for you?

AMINA: Don’t worry. I can ask Hajja Khadija, she

has a maid in her house. Hajja can help me. She is so

kind.AHMED: OK. Do as you wish.

(Ahmed stands up to wash his hands. Amina goes to

clean the table singing. At 13: 40 Ahmed is ready to

go out.)

AHMED: Amina, it’s time to leave. Where is my

bag?

AMINA: Here is your bag. Have a nice time!

AHMED: Bye bye.

AMINA: Bye (happily)

(When Ahmed leaves for work, Amina goes to her

neighbour Hajja Khadija)

Bang. Bang. Bang

HAJJA: Who’s there?

AMINA: I’m your neighbour, Amina.

HAJJA: I’m coming.

(When Hajja opens the door, Amina receives her

with a hug)

AMINA: Good afternoon Hajja.

HAJJA: Good afternoon madam Amina.

AMINA: How are you doing?

HAJJA: Fine. Please come in.

(Hajja closes the door and

goes to the sitting-room with

her guest Amina)

HAJJA: Welcome. Have a

seat!

AMINA: Thank you. I won-

der why you opened the door.

You’ve got a maid. Where

is she by the way?

HAJJA: Oh! Aicha! She is

reading a book that I gave her

last night.

AMINA: How come? I can’t

believe it! The maid reads and

the employer opens the door!!

ALHAJJA: Aicha is like my

daughter, and what’s more

she is a human being. She has the right to read and

write as all children. Let’s forget about that!What

would you like to drink? Tea? Coffee? Or something

else?

AMINA: No. Don’t bother. I just want to inform you

that my husband Ahmed has agreed on having a

maid at home.

HAJJA: What good news! Well done!

AMINA: Thank you, but I need your help.

HAJJA: Yes with pleasure! But what can I do for

you?

AMINA: I’d like you to find me a maid.

(Hajja needed some time to think about that, but

Amina thought that Hajja had turned down her re-

quest)

AMINA: Won’t you help me?

HAJJA: No, I was thinking of you. You know,

you’re lucky!

AMINA: You’ll help me then, I knew that you

would not make me upset.

MAIDS & MAIDS




HAJJA: Today is the last day of the month and

BOUSHTA is coming to get his daughter’s pay.

AMINA: Who’s Boushta?

HAJJA: Aicha’s father …He has another daughter.

She’s called Najma…I’ll ask him to bring her to

you.

(After a few minutes, there is a knock at the door)

HAJJA: I think Bouchta is knocking at the door.

Aicha… Aicha.

AICHA: Yes madam Hajja.

ALHAJJA: Can you open the door? It may be your

father Bouchta.

(Aicha goes to open the door joyfully. It is her fa-

ther. They hug each other)

BOUSHTA: Sweet little girl. I missed you so

much!

AICHA: me too father.

BOUSHTA: How are you doing with this nice

family?

AICHA: I’m so happy…. Come in first

(Once he sees Hajja, he kisses her hand.)

BOUSHTA: Good afternoon madam

hajja. Good afternoon madam,

(He says to Amina, then he asks Hajja:)

BOUSHTA: How are you with Aicha?

HAJJA: She is quite good…. How are you and

your family?

BOUSHTA: They’re very happy, thanks to you.

HAJJA: Sit down Boushta…Aicha, come near your

father!

AICHA: Thanks madam, (She says happily)

HAJJA: I’d like to tell you something important

about your daughter.

(Boushta quickly interrupts Alhajja)

BOUSHTA: What did she do?

HAJJA: Please let me finish … It’s your daughter

Najma…My neighbour Amina is pregnant, and she

needs Najma to help her.

(Amina says quickly:)

AMINA: I hope you won’t refuse… I will give all

the money you want …I’d like to inform you that I

live in front of Alhajja’s house. Najma can see her

sister whenever she wants.

AICHA: Yes, father. She lives there in front of us;

I’ll be taking care of Najma.

HAJJA: What do you think?

BOUSHTA: Well madam, I don’t know what to

say but I’ll discuss it with her mother.

AMINA: Please, Boushta. I need her as soon as

possible.

BOUSHTA: OK. Tomorrow morning I’ll come

with her if her mother accepts.

AMINA: That’s wonderful!

BOUSHTA: Now, I should leave to get home

early.

ALHAJJA: Yes, but wait a moment. (She goes to

her room to bring him money)

This is your money.

BOUSHTA: Thank you madam Hajja. (He kisses her

hand)

HAJJA: Aicha, accompany your father to the door!

AICHA: Yes madam. (Aicha speaks to her father) Say

hello to my mother and tell her that I miss her.

BOUSHTA: Aicha, take care of yourself… tomorrow

I’ll come with your sister Najma if it’s possible. Bye

darling. (He kisses her warmly)

AMINA: I don’t know how to thank you for your help.

Amina says to Hajja.

HAJJA: No, you don’t have to …we’re

neighbours.AMINA: I’m going to leave, my husband is

about to come back home. Bye.

HAJJA: When Boushta arrives tomorrow, I’ll come to

you…. Take care!

(The next day Boushta arrives with his daughter Na-

jma…)

Bang. Bang. Bang

(Aicha opens the door)

AICHA: Najma …father. I missed you … How are

you, Najma?

NAJMA: I’m fine. (She says softly)

BOUSHTA: Aicha, can you call Hajja?

AICHA: Sure…Madam Hajja …My father is here.he

wants to see you

HAJJA: I’m coming.

BOUSHTA: Good morning, madam.

HAJJA: Good morning, Boushta …Is this Najma?

BOUSHTA: Yes, madam…(he turns to Najma). Say

hello to Hajja (Najma kisses Hajja’s hand)

HAJJA: come in!

BOUSHTA: No, madam. I don’t have much time. I

want to go back home early. Can I see madam Amina?

(Aicha goes to knock at Amina’s house)

Bang. Bang. Bang.

AICHA: Madam Amina…. Madam Amina … My fa-

ther with my sister Najma wants to see you

(Amina opens the door quickly)

AMINA: Where’s she?




BOUSHTA: Good morning madam Amina. This is

Najma. Najma, this is madam Amina. From now

on you’re going to obey her orders

NAJMA: Yes father. I’m going to do all that she

wants.

BOUSHTA: Please, madam, I’d like you to take

care of her as much as you can.

AMINA : Be sure I’m going to be nice with her.

(Amina gives Boushta some money)

Here’s some money for you, and the rest till the

end of the month.

BOUSHTA: Thank you, madam.

AMINA: No, It’s me who should thank you.

(Boushta is about to weep. His eyes are filled with

tears. He hugs his daughters standing beside him)

BOUSHTA: Aicha, take care of your sister…She’s

still young …Bye. Bye.

(On the way back home, Boushta is talking to him-

self… alone)

BOUCHTA: Oh my God, how cruel this life is .We

dare to sell our children to stay alive…We force

them to work as slaves. We’ve got to sacrifice our

life for them ...But where can I get money for them

…where…? ? ? (He shouted)

(A week later)

AMINA: Najma…Najma…(Shouting) Are you

deaf? Where have you been? I’ve been calling you

for so long.

NAJMA: Yes, madam… (Fearfully)

AMINA: I’ll be back in an hour …You must do

everything as it should be …Otherwise, you’ll be

severely punished.

NAJMA: Yes, madam.

AMINA: So, What are you waiting for? GO…

(Najma starts to clean, wash, prepare food. Her

tears are falling down. Amina comes back home

quickly. At that time Najma is still washing some

cups)

AMINA: MY GOD! …. You haven’t finished yet

even if I warned you! ! !

(Najma released the cup she was washing…. It

broke….Frightened, Najma starts to weep…)

AMINA: My cup …My cup. You haven’t fin-

ished and you have broken a cup…This is going to

be the last day in your life.

NAJMA: No. No. I beg you madam … Please

forgive me. I didn’t mean it….

(Amina takes a rope and starts to beat Najma

fiercely... Najma cann’t bear …She screams loudly

till Alhajja hears her voice …)

NAJMA:PLEA…SE PLEA…SE…

Bang… Bang...Bang…

HAJJA: Amina. Amina. Amina …Open the door!

…Open!

AMINA: No. Let me finish with this insect first.

NAJMA: Madam Alhajja…rescue me, please. She’ll

kill me.

AICHA: Najma … Najma (She turns to Hajja and

beggs her) Please do something …My sister will be

killed….

HAJJA: Amina. I’m warning you! …If you don’t stop

it now, I’ll open the door by force. I’ll call the police.

(With a harsh rope in her hand, Amina opens the door)

Why are you beating Najma?

AMINA: Mind your business … She’s my maid, you

hear?

ALHAJJA: Yes, you’re right. I should mind my busi-

ness now, but I should remind you that you had come

to me and begged me to find you a maid. You still re-

member…I think… I really wish that your daughter

were in Najma’s place. Then you would know how

cruel you are …Where’s your mercy, your tenderness

…and where are your feelings …You’re a real mon-

ster…

(In a rush, Najma gets behind her sister to hide)

NAJMA: I want to go back home….Where are my par-

ents? (She says sobbing)

AICHA: Stop crying! You’ re safe now…

HAJJA: You didn’t tell me anything Amina…I’m still

waiting…I know you can never say a word…..But let

me tell you. Those are our chldren…. Our souls …our

spirits …our future If she is a maid today, may be your

son’s wife tomorrow. She can be more than that. She

might be a mother as well. So let’s think of them.

Teach them; help them reach the top… For how long

shall we kill our humanism …oh, tell me how long…

(The song to be sung by the actors…)

We shall overcome our problems

We shall overcome them…

Some day

All deep in my heart

I do believe


Some day

We’ll work hand in hand

We’ll work hand in hand

Some day…

We’re not afraid….

We’re not afraid…today….


Some day….

Rashid Orjdali

LM / Preformation




Your Environment is your Health

Why don't we respect our environment?

Because of illiteracy ?! May be.

But I see students throwing rubbish in their

classrooms !! I see them tearing flowers or

leaves of trees from parks !!

Because of our ill growing up at home?!

May be.

But, we know that industrials harm the natural

environment pouring and throwing chemical

products into the air, rivers and seas...

Because of the awareness?! Maybe.

And what about the massive amount of gas

emitted from cars driven by illiterate and edu-

cated people alike...?

Furthermore, toxic products leak into the air

from chemical factories, forest fires caused by

arson, filthy beaches...

All of these are caused by HUMANS. People

are taking actions that seriously damage their

health.

Rubbish dumping within natural areas, is not

only unsightly, but also damages the vegeta-

tion, spreads harmful insects, and so damages

the health.

As people burn more fossil fuels (such as

coal, oil and gas) to get energy, they add more

carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. If this goes

on long enough, the average temperatu-

re of the atmosphere will almost cer-

tainly rise.

The ozone layer is being depleted by

certain chemicals (such as chlorofluo-

carbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetra-

chloride...). This results in increased

UV radiation reaching the earth's surfa-

ce, which in turn can lead to the related

health effects of skin cancer, cataracts

and immune supression.

YOUR ENVIRONMENT IS YOUR

HEALTH, SAVE IT !!!

By Latifa Douali

"I want to kill Sharon...“

This is a translation of an article I read in a Moroccan newspaper called "Assabah".

" I want to kill Sharon... This is my ambition", said Joel Dassan, the Greek American film

and play director yesterday, in an interview with Kathimirini, a Greek newspaper. Joel Das-

san, who is of a Jewish origin added, "The core of the problem in the world is the spreading

violence and death around the world". "Look at what is happening with the Palestinians", he

said, "it's a horrible situation".

"I want to kill Sharon; this is my ambition", Joel resumed..."I said to my daughter that I'm

old and what will happen if I kill Sharon…? I will go to prison where I will continue my

readings till the end of my life". He concluded, "I don't know what will happen now. Sharon

is a sort of military machine".

By Lamia Hozal /3LM1




The Story of a Stranger

In the middle of the forest, there was a small house where two

clever sisters lived. Their names were Maria and Hind. Maria

was 15 and Hind was 18. They lived with their grandmother

Fatima.

One day during last summer holiday, Maria and her sister left

their house to enjoy themselves on a hill. There they felt very

happy as they spent great time. As they came back, they found a

young man near the house. He was about 25. Maria couldn’t bear

looking at him. He was very ill. He was dying. They helped him

and gave him some water. Then they took him to the house, for

Fatima, the grandmother, was helpful, kind and human.

The girls looked at the man. He was absent-minded for a

while. Then he started weeping, but they didn’t know why. Al-

though the man wept, Maria and Hind stayed near him and asked

the man a lot of questions about his

name, his job his problems and what

had happened to him.

After 15 minutes of total silence,

the man spoke and said: “My name

is Ali Fadili. I am 23 years old. I

work in Najah’s firm. This is my

favorite place for me, I work there

with enthusiasm and faithfulness,

and my boss was very happy with

my honest work, 12 hours a day. In

spite of my difficult job, I liked it. Until 27th of March in the

morning, I left my house at six p.m. to work. At the beginning

of my street near the house, I was surprised by seven dangerous

thieves who wanted to steal my keys, to steal the firm money. In

this case I was afraid but I decided to escape, but they hit me. I

could not give them the key, they beat and tortured me. Since

then I didn’t know anything until this good and nice moment

when I found this kind family and met Maria and Hind whom I

consider like two sisters of mine and Fatima who is like my

mother”.

After all that, they knew each other better, then Hind asked

Ali : “What are you going to do now?.”

Ali said, “Firstly I intend to go to my city, and I will go to the

police and tell them about what happened to me. Then I will give

them the information about the thieves, and the policemen will

do their best to find them. Secondly I will go to my boss and tell

him about every thing.”

Two days later, the man left the forest and went to his city and

did all those things, and the policemen found the thieves, in the

end Ali spoke with his mother about Hind and her family, espe-

cially his marriage to Hind. Later, his mother agreed. Then they

went with her son to Hind’s family to talk to them and got to

know each other. Finally, Ali was married to Hind and they lived a happy life in

Ali’s city.

Aouatif Boucetta / 3LM

You are a red rose

In the blackest heart

Of cruel people whose

Interest to tear you apart.

Abdellilah Koughadim

Palestine

RIDDLES

Have you heard the saying what goes up must come down? Well what goes up and never goes down? While walking across a bridge I saw a boat full of people. Yet on the boat there wasn't a single per-son. Why? What runs around a house but doesn't move? Where do you find roads without vehicles, forests without trees, and cities without houses? What am I? I am the only thing that always tells the truth. I show off everything that I see. I come in all shapes and sizes. So tell me what I must be! A man walks up to you and says - "everything I say to y o u i s a l i e . " Is he telling you the truth or is he lying?

What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly?




1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

2

3

4 8

5

6

7 15

8

ACROSS :

1. Month

2. Number

There are many in the sky at

night

3. I want…go to bed.

Beginning of “end”

4. Small, grey animal

5. Number

6. You need it to hear.

He is ……old that he can’t walk.

7. Two letters in the word “eye”.

She came…….. the house.

8. Opposite of beginning.

DOWN :

1. After thirteen.

2. An end without end.

He finished his work and went …...

3. 8/10 is good, but 9/10 is……..

4. Christmas is ……December

5. United States.

When the teacher walks into the

classroom, the pupils……up

6. Yesterday, I …..two eggs.

7. Last week, I …….the mile in five

minutes.

We have two daughters and one…....

8. Two letters from the word “year”.

You are …….young to understand.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Suggested by:

Afaf El Marzouki/ 2LM




Printed by: L’Imprimerie

Al Watanya, Marrakech,

Tel.: (044) 30 37 74 LG

THE MOROCCAN ASSOCIATION OF

TEACHERS OF ENGLISH (MATE)

MARRAKECH LOCAL BRANCH

Computer Work & Design:

Mohammed HASSIM

Abdelkrim RASMY

Editing Board:

A. Saadouni, M. Blibil,

H. Lehnoud, N. Belkachla,

S. Belassal, M. Maanaoui,

A. Rasmy, M. Hassim. Depôt LégalDepôt LégalDepôt LégalDepôt Légal : 85/2000: 85/2000: 85/2000: 85/2000

مراكش -الفرع المحلي

marrakech express ss magazine4

Documents

palestinian children

number of innocent children

children new york

world fit

arab world

arab people

young people

students magazine issue