UAE | General

Moroccans dream of a 'green country' on National Day

Embassy hosts traditional reception as part of celebrations in Abu Dhabi.

  • By Binsal Abdul Kader, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 22:44 August 2, 2009
  • Gulf News

Abu Dhabi: Moroccans in the capital share the dream of a "green Morocco" on Moroccan National Day.

"The Moroccan King said in his speech on the National Day that the country will work towards making 'a green Morocco' with substantial progress in agriculture this year; we are excited about that goal," Yousuf Hamri, 36, an assistant recreation manager told Gulf News.

He spoke on the sidelines of a reception hosted by the Moroccan Embassy as part of the Moroccan National Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi.

Hamri added that "a green Morocco" would create prosperity and more job opportunities in the country.

Nabeel S., 23, a banker, is excited about the recent successful elections in the country. "It shows the increasing democratic rights of the people", he said.

Hesham Karrada, 37, a banker, said the relationship between people and government has improved considerably.

Fares Fahd, 28, who works in the finance sector, said people are trying to utilise freedom given by the government for the betterment of the country.

Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, was the chief guest of the function.

Several ambassadors, other diplomats and Emirati officials attended the function

The guests were served Moroccan green mint tea and traditional food while traditional Moroccan music played in the background. Demographic: Population increases

The number of Moroccans in the UAE has increased by 65 per cent in the past three years, the Moroccan Ambassador to the UAE told Gulf News.

The population increased from 15,000 in 2006 to 25,000 in 2009, Abdul Kader Zaoui said. About 45 per cent of Moroccan expatriates in the UAE live in Abu Dhabi and 40 per cent in Dubai, he said.

Most of them work in the judiciary, government departments, banking, media and other private sectors, according to the ambassador.

Mooch

Mooch ado about nothing

Mooch represents dreams, troubles of a Dubaiite

The villa owners have now brought their own kit to check chlorine levels

Pool horror

Twins hospitalised after swimming pool horror

Picture of Burj Khalifa taken at 12.19am on Sunday. The picture clearly shows fog-covered Burj Khalifa, quashing rumours of fire.

General

Reports of Burj Khalifa fire: Rumours or real?

Community Reports

More from Community Reports

National Day wallpaper

40 years of UAE

Download commemorative wallpapers of the UAE

<i>Building a Nation</i> is both accessible enough for newcomers in the UAE to appreciate the emirates and informed enough for long-term residents to value the history and context.

Book

Gulf News' book chronicles UAE's rich history