Global Bridges Egypt

            In the huge language mosaic of Morocco, where Arabic, French, Spanish, Amazigh create a pattern, English is in high demand! Schools and colleges across the country are reaching out to teach more and more English - the language of business, of the internet and of success! The private Primary school we visited - Ajiyal Souss Privee introduces English in second grade, while most public schools begin English instruction in middle school.  To bridge the gap between public and private, the Education ministry has created Access centers.  Apart from being synonymous with the English test we administer in the US, there is nothing else in common.          Access centers have been created all across Morocco for low income students to learn English.  There is an application and interview process for the students.  However, once a student is selected, they receive not just English instruction, but numerous opportunities for personality development. Two young students we met have jus

The Roman Empire             In the heart of this Muslim nation, where a minaret rises in the smallest of hamlets, and the call to prayer is heard every few hours; the magnificent ruins of the Roman Empire hark back to a different time.  In the midst of green rolling hills, we can see the ancient columns, the arches, the mosaics, and the Latin inscriptions when this part of the globe was occupied by a different people. They came from Europe and began building their grand structures.  They found olive trees and made oil, still used extensively in this region. They built Roman baths, the concept has lasted to this day in the use of hammams all over Morocco. The mosaic floors of many homes are still intact.  Makes me wonder if the Islamic art of tile making and zellige artistry was influenced by the Romans! While the Romans depicted gods, seasons, animals and patterns; Islamic tile art concentrates on geometric patterns.  Islam forbids the depiction of people and animals, so

Moulay Mohammed VI             King Mohammed VI is the ruler of the Kingdom of Morocco. His family is believed to be descended from the Prophet Mohammed himself.  He is omnipresent, with royal palaces in every city, and portraits everywhere.  As the religious head of the country, he slaughters the first sheep after the long lean period of Ramadan to begin the Eid celebrations.  When so many royal families around the world crumbled under the clutches of colonization, how is this dynasty survive? Curious to discover, I turned to the internet for the history of Morocco. The Royal Palace in Fez           European were hungry for the control of this strategically situated country. Although under the control of the Alaouite Sultans, Morocco became a French Protectorate in 1912. While Spain retained two cities - Mellila and Ceuta, Morocco was divided by  French and Spanish colonial powers. However, the independence movement started to gain ground by 1940s.  In 1953, the king Mohamm