Morocco's diplomatic community on November 21st held its annual International Charity Bazaar, in which handicrafts and other goods from around the world are sold to fund social projects.
The Diplomatic Circle, a group which includes the wives of foreign ambassadors to Morocco, organises the annual bazaar. This year's event took place at Rabat's Mohammed V Theatre.
Proceeds from sales went to help finance 20 social projects around Morocco that focus on education, health care and rural women's emancipation. The event has run for over 20 years, and has become one of the most eagerly awaited events in the Moroccan capital.
"By buying tickets and a few items, you can help social projects," said Hamid Bellah, who travelled from Tangier to attend the fair for the third year in a row.
"When everyone works together, efforts to help the poorest people in society can be made. That's why I never miss this event, which is rich in symbols," Bellah explained, as his eye wandered to a table of Algerian handicrafts.
All projects which receive funds from the bazaar are monitored closely by Diplomatic Circle members, who send committees to make regular on-site visits with spot checks that ensure the donated money is used effectively. Organisation members believe the event embodies the values of solidarity and co-existence between different cultures.
"The Diplomatic Circle intends to continue its activities jointly with the Moroccan authorities, with help from all institutions, key figures and sponsors," said the organisation's president, Humera Mahmood. Mahmood, whose husband is the Pakistani ambassador, said the circle has supported social projects since its inception.
Diplomatic Circle members work all year round to find the most interesting international products to sell, in order to ensure they can raise enough money for the projects they support. Previous projects included building an orphanage and a community centre for disabled individuals.
Local ambassadors' wives - the main force behind the bazaar - are proud of the event's success. All agree that the projects give a new dimension to diplomatic activity and should be continued.
"The bazaar is an embodiment of cultural diversity since it provides an opportunity for each country to showcase its specialties," said Catherine Joubert, the wife of the French ambassador.
"It's an enriching experience for me," said 23-year-old accountant Siham Hammouchi. "I was able to share ideas with diplomats' wives from many different places, who met to achieve the same goal. I'm really interested in social development and this kind of event encourages me to play an active role in it myself."
Tasty samples from over fifty countries' cuisines decorated the bazaar tables to create a veritable international buffet, to the delight of families and foreign visitors who descended on the bazaar.
Hamid Bellah said the bazaar is a godsend for Moroccans, adding that the event "enables them to find out more about other countries while having fun."
© Magharebia.com 2009
