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Moroccans begin online campaign for return of historic letter exhibited in Austria

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Moroccan activists have launched an online campaign demanding for the return of a letter that dates back to the 18th century which they see as an important part of the country’s history.

The historic letter which is currently being exhibited in Austria was reportedly written by Moroccan Sultan Moulay Ismail Ibn Sharif to Charles Stewart of the United Kingdom in 1720.

According to media in the North African country, the letter was a diplomatic correspondence that was sent in December 1720 by the Sultan to Stewart who was the English Ambassador at the head of a mission sent under the reign of King George I tasked with negotiating peace with Morocco.

A social media influencer in the country, Monir Doli, who is one of those leading the campaign, wrote on X:

“Message to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Morocco in Austria to intervene to stop the sale of our documents and our history.

“It concerns a handwritten letter from Sultan Moulay Ismail being offered for sale at a price of €28,000 euros at an exhibition of antiques and manuscripts in Austria.”

The post garnered thousands of reactions from Moroccan netizens who lamented the sale of Moroccan heritage and even offered to set up funding campaigns to raise money to buy the historic letter.

Another influencer who also denounced moves to auction the letter, wrote:

“Ohhh Mehdi… has this news reached yet? A handwritten letter from Sultan Moulay Ismail is up for sale for 28,000 euros at an exhibition of artifacts and manuscripts in Austria.

Moroccan history narrates that the letter referenced prior communications through notable figures such as Pasha Hamet Ben Ali Ben Abdallah and Ibn al-Attar, affirming that its message had been ratified and agreed upon by relevant authorities.

“In the letter, Sultan Moulay Ismail said he hoped that the proposed agreement would meet the ambassador’s expectations. He underscored the longstanding diplomatic ties between England and Morocco, citing the relationship between his cousin, Ahmad Al Mansour, and Queen Elizabeth I as a historical precedent,” a local media wrote.

“In addition, Sultan Moulay Ismail extended an open invitation to renew the covenant and treaty between the two kingdoms, stressing his willingness to facilitate and encourage bilateral relations.

“The correspondence was sent during the English ambassador’s journey to Morocco in 1720.

“A small squadron, led by Commodore Stewart, set sail from England on September 24, 1720, with Stewart authorized as a minister plenipotentiary to negotiate with Sultan Moulay Ismail. Their mission culminated in the signing of a pivotal treaty of peace in January 1721 at Ceuta.

“The terms of the treaty were significant, securing the release of 296 British slaves, granting free movement for British ships in Moroccan waters, and offering access for Moroccan ships to trade with Britain.

“Prior to their return to London, a conference took place in May 1721 with Pasha Hamet Ben Ali Ben Abdallah, further solidifying diplomatic relations,” the publication said.

Culture

African men run away from single mothers— Joselyn Dumas

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Veteran Ghanaian actress and media personality, Joselyn Dumas, has lamented the fact that most African men shy away from getting married to single mothers due to the added responsibilities they will be saddled with.

The actress who made the assertion in her recent podcast, “Keeping it Real with Joselyn Dumas, The Perfect Picture”, opened up on the challenges of many single mothers who are struggling to find a partner because of societal biases.

In the podcast, Dumas who shared a personal story of a male friend whom she said refused to settle down with a lady because she had a child.

According to her, the friend named Anthony, firmly stated that it wasn’t his thing to be with a ‘born one’ or ‘born two’.

“He said B1, B2, I’m not in and I said to myself, ‘this is the reason why a lot of single mothers are single with their children.

“Now his reason was, why am I going to raise somebody’s child? That’s not my bloodline. He doesn’t have my DNA in him. Why am I now going to help someone’s bloodline grow? What about mine?” she said.

Dumas who is a single mother, noted that Anthony’s mindset is a “reflection of the views of a larger majority of people who don’t want to have meaningful relationship with single mothers.”

She also criticised what she termed as the double standard in society’s views on raising non-biological children, arguing that it should not be seen differently from adoption.

“I have a child but these men won’t even ask you, they don’t even care why you have a child. You’ve had seven miscarriages when you got married. You meet a guy, you were dating and you got pregnant, are you going to abort the baby because you aren’t married?

“He doesn’t want the child, are you going to throw the child away? No! You can raise the child. It takes a village to raise the child, so even if you don’t have a job, you will get support. This is part of the sacrifice you have to make regardless of what has happened,” she said.

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Namibia govt condemns tourists posing naked on Big Daddy Dune

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The Namibian authorities have frowned at tourists who posed naked at the Big Daddy Dune, the country’s top tourist attraction located in the Namibian desert.

Reports in the country’s media say locals were shocked to sight the tourists posing naked on the Dune during a safari and have demanded for action against them from authorities.

According to local media, actions that could be taken against the tourists include being blacklisted from entering any of Namibia’s parks.

A spokesperson from the country’s Tourism Ministry told local media that photos and a video from of the naked tourists have been widely shared, sparking sharp reactions.

Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Namibian Tourism Associations, Kenneth Nependa, who condemned the act, told journalists that the behaviour risked attracting tourists “who think anything goes in Namibia.”

“It is very sickening and it really creates a bad image for Namibia,” Nependa said, adding that the Big Daddy Dune was not just a relaxing place for tourists but for families too.

Though it is not clear who took the photos and the video of the three male tourists who were seen stark naked in the sandy dune, next to their clothes, authorities say a stern action will be taken against them.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, described the behaviour as “extremely shocking,” saying it was public indecency punishable by Namibian law.

“We appeal to that section of tourists to summon the conscience so that they do the right things,” Muyunda said.

He appealed to Namibians to report violations of park regulations immediately for swift action.

The Big Daddy dune is one of the three largest dunes in Namibia’s enormous Namib-Naukluft National Park, one of the largest in the world and are popular with tourists who hike to the top to have a stunning view across the crests.

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