SAUDI ARABIA: Exhibition in city of Jeddah celebrates Moroccan culture and heritage following an invitation by the Gulf Cooperation Council to the North African country to join the bloc

Record ID: 188784

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Exhibition in city of Jeddah celebrates Moroccan culture and heritage following an invitation by the Gulf Cooperation Council to the North African country to join the bloc
  • Date: 3rd August 2011
  • Summary: PICTURE OF SAUDI AND MOROCCAN KINGS WAVING
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: Arts
  • Reuters ID: LVADRUME5TJHZ1UWORIWG10KFFUK
  • Story Text: In Jeddah, ties appear to be blossoming between Morocco and Saudi Arabia. An exhibition in the city aims to introduce Saudis to the traditions and heritage of the North African country.
    The event comes at a time when Gulf dynasties have invited fellow Sunni monarchies Jordan and Morocco to join their Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as they seek to counter unrest and a perceived threat from Shi'ite Iran.
    In a television address on Saturday (July 30) to mark the 12th anniversary of the Moroccan king's reign, 47-year old King Mohammed did not mention the GCC invitation, concentrating in his remarks instead on bolstering the Marghreb Union of North African countries.
    But at the Jeddah exhibition, there was plenty of support for the idea of Morocco joining the Arab Gulf bloc.
    Social scientists and political expert Ihsan Tayeb said both sides stand to gain if Morocco were to join the GCC.
    "I think this bloc will bring big benefits. First will be a large force of armies that are common in this area. Second, in economic terms and economic returns in exchange of valuable benefits, which is between the State and other countries through exports, which sends products of each country active in economic development and active in urban development," Tayeb said.
    Visitors at the exhibition were impressed with the display of Moroccan interiors, artefacts, tiles, and handicrafts. Some said an enlarged Gulf bloc will enhance cultural exchange as well.
    "Merging the two civilisations -- Moroccan with Saudi Arabian -- gives more power and cohesion to the Gulf states. It will have large amount of cultures and this will be a beautiful thing for civilisation, for the engravings in the Moroccan furniture. I feel that there is integration between the old and the present and the past," said photographer Tharwat Salem.
    Saeed Ajeh, Coordinator of the International Union of Moroccan communities agreed -- he said both sides would gain politically, economically and socially.
    The Gulf Cooperation Council includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain.
    Exhibition director Alaa Zawawi compared the body to a bouquet of flowers.
    "Morocco's adherence to the GCC countries will add to the heritage of Saudi Arabia, as Moroccan heritage adds to the heritage of Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab heritage and the whole becomes a beautiful bouquet of flowers," he said.
    The exhibition is called "Fez Gate" and will run through the month of Ramadan.
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