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Moroccan activists petition UNESCO over Algeria’s claim of ‘Caftan Ntaa El Fassi’

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Moroccan activists have launched an online petition against what they describe as Algeria’s attempt to claim its cultural “Caftan Ntaa El Fassi” as part of its own heritage at UNESCO.

According to the activists, this is not the first time that Algeria has attempted to claim elements of Moroccan culture and heritage as its own, prompting the petition.

So far, the petition has garnered more than 21,000 signatures, calling on Moroccans to defend their heritage against repeated attempts of cultural theft.

The signatories expressed deep concerns about safeguarding the country’s cultural legacy from any form of misappropriation.

The activists also expressed their disapproval of the inclusion of the image of the Moroccan “Fassi Caftan” in Algeria’s cultural heritage dossier which it submitted to UNESCO in April which had sparked heated debates in the two countries.

The Moroccan Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication has also waded into the impasse with a pledge to take legal measures to counter alleged attempts by Algeria to claim the Moroccan caftan as part of its own and include it in the file they submitted to UNESCO.

The ministry, according to local media reports, has already filed a complaint to UNESCO’s evaluation committee requesting the removal of the image and the accompanying description placed under it in the Algerian file.

The Fassi caftan, which originates from the Moroccan city of Fez, is reported to be one of the most iconic and cherished elements of Moroccan cultural heritage and is characterized by its unique design, showcasing the fine craftsmanship and artistic skills of Moroccan artisans.

“The dispute over the Fassi Caftan is not Algeria’s first attempt to claim elements of Moroccan culture and heritage as its own,” one online media said.

“Over the years, there have been recurring incidents where Algeria has sought to appropriate Moroccan culture and even claim some Moroccan traditional dishes as their own.

“These attempts have sparked tensions between the two neighboring countries, with Moroccans fiercely defending their cultural identity and expressing concern over the preservation of their heritage,” it added.

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Culture

Ghanaians react angrily as American video vixen Rubi Rose tours Jubilee House

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Some Ghanaians have been outraged following a tour of the Jubilee House, the country’s seat of government, by American entertainer and video vixen, Rubi Rose.

The visit and tour of the Jubilee House by the controversial vixen, rapper, and OnlyFans content creator who arrived in Ghana on Thursday, October 31, 2024, sparked outrage and angry reactions among Ghanaians on social media who questioned the rationale behind the visit.

The American star was a special guest for a Halloween party in Accra and during her stay, was granted access to the Jubilee House, where she met with Nadia Adongo Musah, Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, and was given a tour of the premises.

Photos of Rose’s visit to the Jubilee House circulated on social media, prompting discontent among Ghanaians, who questioned why someone with her background was allowed into the Jubilee House, also known as Flagstaff House, which holds significant historical and symbolic value as the seat of Ghana’s presidency.

Some angry Ghanaians took to social media to voice out their discontents.

A X user with the handle @fanti_boy wrote:

“Is this really Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana?”

Another user, @_blacksnow09, said:

“Foreigners have more access to the presidential residence than citizens.”

@CopsonClaude commented:

“The Jubilee House is now Oasis Lounge.”

@PositiveAt59011 said:

“Please, is the place a hotel where Americans do lodge in?”

@DanQuaye22 said:

“They told the citizens Flagstaff House is a security zone, but see who has easy access.”

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Culture

Mauritius bans access to social media until after elections

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The Mauritius government has placed a blanket ban on access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to hold on November 10.

The ban, which was announced on Friday by the country’s national communications regulator, will be in force until November 11, the day after the election.

“The ICT Authority wishes to inform the public that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that constitute a serious threat to national security and public safety, it has received directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to direct all Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024”, the Information and Communication Technology Authority said on Friday.

The move which came amid a wiretapping scandal in the Indian Ocean nation, has however, raised concerns as opposition parties and prominent figures have a ploy by the governing party to avoid defeat at the polls.

Local media say the unprecedented social media ban follows a wiretapping scandal which rocked the country last month when recorded conversations of politicians, business people, and members of civil society were leaked on social media.

According to media freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RWB), the recorded conversations of five well-known journalists were leaked published on social media, prompting the ban.

“The government of the Indian Ocean Island country, which has a population of 1.2 million, has claimed that these leaks are a threat to national security and instructed the communications authority to suspend all access to social media,” the RWB said in a statement.

In response to the bank, network service provider, EMTEL, said it would comply with the directive and user experience will be “progressively disrupted”.

“EMTEL understands the inconvenience that this action shall cause to its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative other than to comply with ICTA directive,” the company said.

Local media also quoted a statement from the office of the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, who is seeking a second term in power, as saying that the suspension of social media was essential to protect national security and the country’s integrity.

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