Category: Blog

Founded in 2015, The Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta has successfully organized an international event that aims to promote the inspiring story of the young traveler who journeyed the world for 30 years. The International Festival of Ibn Battuta which took place from November 9 to 12, 2017 has effectively stimulated the cultural and literary value presented by Ibn Battuta himself throughout his travels.

Organized by groups of young local and international volunteers, the 4-day event also highlighted one of the association’s primary objective of promoting the universal values of peace and tolerance realized through the spirit of volunteering. Students, professionals, artists, speakers who believed in the mission set by the founder of the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta Aziz Benami and Honorary President Mohamed Dekkak have united and worked together to achieve an engaging event.

The festival’s opening day took place at the Cultural Center of Ahmed Boukmakh. Hosted by Egypt’s famous TV personality Tamer Shaltout, the ceremony was attended by ambassadors, government leaders and business professionals from different industries. Horses, camels, motorbikes, cultural dances and band music greets visitors on the way to the entrance. Andalusian and African music brought dynamics to the program which also featured a short fashion show.

An art exhibition filled with historical artifacts, paintings and sculptures welcome guests as they enter the main hall. Some of the painters/associations who participated in the art exhibition includes: Afif Bennani, Amina Badraoui Idrissi, Nadia El Mouaque, Afafe Slaoui, Sophia Abi, Hicham Zouine, Hassan Mrani, Chaimae Aboudi, Aicha Arji Lebbar, Mhamdi Alaoui, Nadia Skali, Jacques Samir Stenka, Houdamouaddah, Noufissa Benjelloun, Aouatef Khelloqi, Association Forsaty Assadaka, Association Marocaine Pour La Solidarité Musulmane, Younes Cheikh Ali,  Abdelwahab Sibaouaih and Fondation Abdelhadi Tazi.

Open for public, the evening showcased performances from Les fils et filles du Ziryab, Perle bleue, Groupe Youssef Saber and Orchestre Tarab.

The second day is a celebration of African Day for the promotion of Peace. The day’s highlight includes theater play, conferences, street art, and concert.

Mohamed VI Museum held a conference entitled “L’eau et l’homme : paix et coexistence” with invited speakers Jaafar Kanssousi, Khalid Rami, Khalid Rfifi, Tugba Evrim Maden and Jalila El Ofir tackling peace and coexistence between man and water.

Another conference held by the Anouar group discusses “The legacy of Ibn Battouta.” Keynote speakers include Mohamed Ait Laamim, Abdullah Alaoui, Mustapha Lamhaddar, Jaafar Kanssousi, Muhammad Al-Boughali, Mohammed Abdullah Boodai and Michlah Abderrahmane.

Another interesting conference held at University of New England entitled “Self-discovery through travel” introduced speakers like Ahmed EL Shehawy, Zouheir Houmane, Anthony David, Noufissa Benjeloun, Aouatif Khelloqi and Bouchra Baibanou

The second evening’s concert was graced with performances from MloukGnawa, Sarro,Cisby , Malika la slameuse, Safiath, Groupe INING and Naj.

The third day was filled with conferences featuring topics on: Juan Goytisolo, a Spanish poet who was considered as Spain’s greatest living writer; the values of International Volunteering and its message of peace; role of having cultural dialogue to the world; and the journey between the Arab world and Latin America organized by the “Council for relations between the Arab World, Latin America and the Caribbean (CARLAC)” and an intervention on “Immigration and integration Arabs in Mexico “organized by the Mexican Embassy in Morocco at the University of New England.

The night capped off with two major events: the gala dinner and live concert. King Barra, Samia Tawil and Abir El Abed thrilled their audience with their music on the stage of Cultural Center of Ahmed Boukmakh. The association also organized a formal gala dinner set at the Hotel Royal Tulip to honor the awardees acknowledged by the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta as “Ambassadors of Peace.”

To close the four-day event of the festival, a carnival parade participated by students, bands and associations marched along the streets of Tangier. Theater play and film shows were also presented for young kids to watch.

The International Festival of Ibn Battuta which started from a simple concept of promoting Tangier and the legacy of Ibn Battuta has produced a positive impact to the host city and captivated the hearts of many to further develop their love and passion to their country and the culture of travel. Local and international volunteers made this engaging festival come to life, certainly, a dream realized.

Spending some quality time with your family during your travels always create fond memories. If work has put your life on hold and has not traveled with your family for a very long time, here are some reasons we would like to share to inspire you and your family to take that long overdue Family Vacation.

1.Relax together with your family. We all face a lot of challenges on a daily basis. Your kids have homework and you do house chores and spend long working hours so be able to provide for your family that a much needed time out is a must. Travel sets aside your boring old daily routine even just for a while and allows you to relax and unwind. Do things you do not usually do together with your family. Remember that these vacations should be fun and stress-free.

2. Spend quality time together. Travel offers that chance to not just be physically together with your loved ones, but more importantly to have good communication. It’s the best time to talk about life. Engage in some real heart to heart conversation and catch up on things you missed talking about or doing. Vacations can pull your family together and spend quality time.
3. Start creating beautiful memories. Moments that will fill you, your partner and your children’s hearts to leave a lasting impression that will always leave a smile once remembered. When you look back to the past while opening an old photo album or a travel video, you can relive those wonderful moments you shared together with your family.
4. Experience new things together. When you’re outside traveling to other countries, you will see different things. You get to experience these new things together with your family. Together, you will learn a lot while on the road. Meet new people, culture, adopt good travel habit such as tolerance. These shared experiences will give you an amazing opportunity to create many of your family’s firsts. Take advantage of that chance,

Learn more about the amazing benefits of travel to you and your family and what it can do for the world. Join in the celebration of the second edition of the International Festival of Ibn Battuta happening on November 9 to 12, 2017 at the beautiful city of Tangier in the Kingdom of Morocco.

To know more about the event, visit the official website of the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta at http://ibnbattuta.ma/

The Life of travel opens your world in ways you can never learn just by reading books. It lets you see first-hand man’s ways of living in many different ways, from cultures, to dress, to food to language, the scenic landscapes – the beautiful diversity of each travel destination.

We end up caring more for the rest of the world. We’d probably less likely to support senseless government foreign policies because we have a deeper understanding of the world.

Travel as far as you could and be an ambassador of peace and tolerance. And while in a foreign soil, don’t be just a tourist, extend a real effort to learn about other cultures.

We all see different realities. So the journey we take also gives us a chance to reflect on our own life journey. When we have experienced other nation’s vulture and people, we start to understand ourselves more. We appreciate our homes even more and get hopeful ideas on what changes we desire for our country.

Consequently, development calls for compromise and this becomes easier if you can empathize. Travel breeds kindness. Learning to connect creates understanding, compassion, and tolerance.

The culture of traveling is definitely not the lone solution for world peace but if travel can help even just a small part of the world to have an intercultural understanding, it can create a massive, sustaining and positive impact on our planet.

A Travel and Cultural Festival

Know more about the importance of travel to attaining a peaceful world at the upcoming celebration in Tangier, Morocco on November 9 until 12, 2017. The Second Edition of the International Festival of Ibn Battuta is celebrating this year’s theme, “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace.”

In memory of the legacy of The Great Ibn Battuta, the event will simultaneously carry out many social activities attended by invited guests, sponsors, and international volunteers. To know more about the International Festival of Ibn Battuta, visit the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta’s official website at http://ibnbattuta.ma/

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1

If you are in your twenties, healthy, fit and would like to learn and become a better person, go on a journey, see the world and travel. Discover how other people go on their day to day life, and learn from people.

Sadly, for many, traveling is not a possibility due to money and time. For the younger ones, travel can be expensive. For those who have financial capacities, travel conflicts their work and families.

Travel Now or You May Lose the Chance

But if the travel bug bits you, don’t ignore it. This is the moment where mostly the younger generation has this constant desire for adventure. Go on and let the world teach you while you are still young and able. Grab the chance to explore the beauty of our planet and leave your comfort zone.

The benefits and importance of travel are becoming more significant as the world becomes more connected. Therefore, it is vital that we nurture the unity and tolerance amongst the international community.

Your relationship towards mankind and the earth change as years pass by. A 4-year-old kid will most likely not understand completely the story and value of Peru’s Machu Pichu but a young traveler will be amazed at the ancient pyramids of Egypt like a child.

Do not let the borders dictate your cultural views. Accept and understand that there are other communities out there who live a life far different from yours. But just because their culture is different from the norm it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Be reminded that perceptions of what’s correct can be subjective, with large influences due to history and geography.

If you want to gain more insights regarding the world of travel, celebrate along with the international culture and travel community on November 9 to 12, 2017 at the city of Tangier for the Second edition of the International Festival of Ibn Battuta carrying the theme “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace and Tolerance”.

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1

When you have tried an array of international cuisines, interact with diverse cultures, have explored the many metro and wilderness, have observed the many differences and similarities, you tend to develop your personality as well. You transform into a better person because travel changes you.

Along with your journey, you grow as a person and adopt some traits very much familiar to many people who have passion for traveling. Check out some of these common traits:

1. You are curious. Moving from one place to another lets you learn many new things and meet new faces. With a lot of information coming in, you can’t help that eventually, you become curious and eager to learn new things.
2. You learn to take risk. Getting out of your comfort zone may have been difficult but in the long run, you manage to take risk. You seek for adventure and the unknown.
3. You are compassionate. Having experienced the world’s diversity in culture and economic standards, shared stories with strangers, experienced difficulties, and meaningful encounters, we learn to accept our individual differences. We see the world in a bigger perspective.
4. You welcome life changes. The only thing that’s constant in this world is change. The sooner we accept and welcome that fact, the easier for us to adapt to changes life brings.
5. You have confidence in yourself. Years of experience on the road help you build higher self-esteem It’s easier to get into a conversation with random strangers, make travel arrangements all by yourself and to overcome unexpected challenges.
6. Self Awareness. In line with the above, you also become more aware of your own character because you understand yourself more. Drawing a variety of experience, you start to develop your EQ and use it to your advantage. You acknowledge both your strengths and weaknesses.
7. You are observant. A traveler is a keen observer. Our brains take in too much information and have active senses.
8. You are grateful. Since traveling has exposed you to some of the world’s rich and less fortunate communities, you become more grateful for what you have been blessed with – enough food and the thought of being able to travel.
9. You are independent. You become mature and more responsible that you make things work for you.

Traveling the world makes one realize that it is a big world out there. Know more about the life of past and modern-day travelers on the upcoming second edition of the International Festival of Ibn Battuta happening on November 9-12, 2017 at the city of Tangier in Morocco.

Visit the event’s official site at https://ibnbattuta.ma/

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1

Some of the biggest issues concerning solo travel include these fear factors: fear of not being safe, scared, of being left alone and lonely. The truth is, fear holds many people back. It holds them back from their dreams and of things and places they want to pursue.

The United States Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt has this to say, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” She urges people to get out of their comfort zones.

Come to think of it, if all of us stays in our regular safe zones, it limits us of many possibilities. The change that we provide to the world is limited and slow and we must improve our society at a faster rate.

First and foremost, we must learn to acknowledge that change is good. We should welcome it and utilize it to flourish, to learn and create a better place for us and for future generations.

Traveling is a great means to engage ourselves with fresh experiences and discover the world from a different perspective.

Every sunset is different. The quality of the air we breath is different per country. The more we see and feel how life goes in another part of the world, the more we understand the world and our own place.

At present, there are many external factors that try to divide and destroy the international communities against each other. But travel can be an effective means to help people be more connected and united in ways never anticipated. Mass transportation is now made more affordable and faster, safe and reliable.

Having huge life changes might seem scary for many, although it is also exciting as new things await you. Solo travel, in particular, is one of the most amazing gifts you can give to yourself. Taking in mind not to let fear hinder you from reaching for your dreams.

Learn more about how travel can make an impact on your life and helping you embrace big life changes. On November 9 to 12, 2017, the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta will be celebrating the Second edition of International Festival of Ibn Battuta in honor of the legacy of the Great Ibn Battuta who have for many years travelled the world.

Carrying the theme “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace”, this travel and cultural festival encourage today’s generation to welcome the culture of traveling as a means to promote peace, tolerance, and unity throughout the world.

To know more about the International Festival of Ibn Battuta, visit http://ibnbattuta.ma/

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1

If you already have a scheduled trip in the coming days, you are probably happier than you were before you planned the trip.

According to findings of some studies, people who are planning and expecting an approaching trip are likely to feel happier than those who do not have an upcoming trip.

But then, as soon as the trip’s finished, travelers are back to their usual level of happiness until another trip comes up.

Headed by Dr. Jeroen Nawijn of NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences in Netherlands, the study presented that travelers reported an increased level of happiness before their trip as to those who do not travel probably because they are expecting a holiday.

The study revealed that many people feel more burst of joy when they begin planning their trip, usually 8 weeks before the actual trip. It also presented that travel showed improvement in one’s health after the trip, where a sound vacation does well for both the heart and soul.

Get more information about travel and its many lifestyle benefits during the conferences held at the second edition of International Festival of Ibn Battuta which will run for four days. This travel and cultural festival entitled, “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace” is set to take stage on November 9 to 12, 2017 at the city of Tangier in the Kingdom of Morocco.

A much-anticipated event by the international travel community, this festival will showcase parades, conferences, film showing, street art exhibitions and other exciting social happenings. The Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta, the head organizer of the event is inviting everyone from volunteers to sponsors to join in the celebration of the legacy of the journey of the Great Ibn Battuta, the values it upholds, its significant contribution in the fields of travel and literature and in promoting the spirit of peace, tolerance and unity through supporting the culture of traveling.

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1

According to St. Augustine, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Traveling is like a school, set outside the comforts of the four corners of your classroom. The world is waiting for you to learn and discover the many surprises of nature, people, religion and culture. It’s fun, colorful and interactive. Much more, the experience and the learnings are there to stay, building up the strength of your character. Allowing you to be independent, mature and tolerant as you travel the world.

Travel teaches us tolerance. Those who travel far and wide are more tolerant compared to those who just stay in one place for the longest time. People who travel gets the opportunity to see and experience the many cultural diversities the world has to offer. Furthermore, a good chance to gain friends in the international community, thus developing the spirit of tolerance. As time goes, travelers learn to look more on the similarities rather than the differences. They develop open mindedness and learn to look at things at a wider perspective. That is why, it is highly recommended to travel and visit other countries while you still can. Get out of your comfort zone and open your world to a bigger world.

Do not stop travelling, listening and asking.

International Travel Festival

In line with the concept of tolerance and travel, the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta has put up an upcoming event that will feature the many aspects of travel. The Second Edition of International Festival of Ibn Battuta is happening on November 9-12, 2017 at the city of Tangier in Morocco. This year’s theme will evolve on “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace.”

A travel and cultural event, the festival will discuss and feature the journey of the Great Ibn Battuta and its significant contributions to the field of travel and literature. Participants, sponsors and volunteers from different parts of the globe will convene on this four day event to celebrate the culture of traveling.

To know more about the event, visit http://ibnbattuta.ma/

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1

Remembering the International Day for Tolerance means spending a time to understand, respect and acknowledge the social, religious and cultural rights of other people. We take a moment to reflect and discuss the harmful effects of intolerance.

During this annual observance, school teachers use the theme to let the students tackle the issues concerning tolerance and non-violence. They use educational materials, flyers, broadsheets to spread awareness on the value of tolerance. Engaging activities such as storytelling and dialogues also fill the social gap.

It all Starts at Home

Many parents accept the fact that we have a very diverse community. While some who had not much exposure to different culture may seem to be more hesitant of other people. But today, children have more exposure due to a more diverse group of friends in school or other organizations compared to the time of their parents from years ago.

Keeping this in mind, parents today should teach their children as young as possible how to live and work in a more diverse community. To learn and let them play with other kids from other countries is a subtle way of teaching them tolerance. Discuss to them the importance of being a person who is open to differences opens more opportunities in life.

Instil in them the value of being open-minded and respect as the success of a person is also dependable on his childhood experiences. So be a good role model and start exposing them to other cultures while still young so they appreciate the differences this world has to offer. Travel with them when visiting other countries and let them interact with local kids.

Learn more about the spirit of tolerance in the upcoming second edition of the International Festival of Ibn Battuta happening on 9 to 12 of November 2017 at the city of Tangier in the Kingdom of Morocco. The event is organized by the Moroccan Association of Ibn Battuta with this year’s theme, “Travelers, the Ambassadors of Peace and Tolerance.” To know more about this travel and cultural festival, visit http://ibnbattuta.ma/.

Mohamed Dekkak

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MohamedDekkak1