MOROCCO WORLD NEWS
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Being a journalist abroad had always been a dream. Technically, as an international student reporting for my university newspaper in the U.S., I was already a journalist abroad — but I wanted to see if I could push myself even more.
During my junior year, I spent a semester studying Field Studies in Journalism and New Media in Morocco. The moment arrived, I began hunting for ways to report. That's how I ended up as a news correspondent and staff photographer for Morocco World News. I wrote stories, took photo, interviewed dozens of people from across the country and learned how to produce credible journalism under a monarchy with strict control over the freedom of the press. |
NEWS ARTICLES
During the three months of my internship I logged close to 400 hours with Morocco World News, covering contractual teacher protests, papal visits, presidential ceremonies and desert marathons. I also created weekly features and covered breaking news in Rabat and surrounding cities. I wrote 44 stories for Morocco World News, which can be seen on my Author's Page. These are my best ones.
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Nation-wide contractual teachers' strike
Thousands of the Morocco's teachers rocked the country's education system by joining union strikes protesting for job stability, increased pay, promotions, health care and pensions. This is my coverage of the teachers' strike in order of publication: Story I: Two protests take place in Rabat on International Women's Day Story II: Contractual and Cell 9 teachers: 'We will continue our protests' Story III: Moroccan teachers march into April, making 3 months of protests Story IV: Moroccan teachers: 'We can't go back until government gives in' Story V: Moroccan teachers: 'Each protest gets bigger as more join us' Story VI: Police disperse teachers protests at Morocco's Parliament Story VII: Moroccan teachers to suspend strike after month of turmoil Story VIII: Unions and protestors march on Labor Day in Morocco |
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Selling books in a country that can't read: A devout man’s vendetta is bringing literature to Rabat
RABAT, MOROCCO — Sprawled on a rug, under the shade of a street-side tree, Mohammed Aziz began taking his revenge by re-reading one of the nine books he owned. Orphaned at the age of six, Aziz attempted to afford his dream of graduating high school, but the textbooks were too expensive. Angry and without a diploma Aziz's more than half-century career as a bookseller began... |
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Post-appeal decision brings hundreds to protest freedom for Hirak Rif activists
RABAT, MOROCCO — The sound of rain was drowned out by the chants of hundreds of protestors at this year’s first major march in support of Hirak Rif prisoners in Morocco, following a controversial court decision. Slogans such as “No liberty, no peace” rattled the gates of Parliament as dozens of protesters waving Amazigh flags rallied in front of the building in Rabat... |
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From terrorist to disciple: Moroccan Hollywood's longest-serving extra
OUARZAZATE, MOROCCO — With a lit cigarette between his lips and a walking cane in hand, "Osama Bin Laden" left his clay home to begin his daily neighborhood stroll. The only sound on that Thursday morning were the flip-flop of his sandals — a methodical pitter-patter that paused three times... |
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Pope Francis starts 2-day visit in Morocco to boost interfaith dialogue
RABAT, MOROCCO — Under the cover of surrounding buildings, dozens of people lined the streets of Rabat to welcome Pope Francis to Morocco, whose two-day visit will focus on interfaith dialogue and issues of migration. King Mohammed VI received the pope at the Rabat-Sale Airport and escorted him to Hassan Tower — a long awaited meeting that was first officially announced in March... This story was Part I of two regarding the pope's visit: Story I: Pope Francis starts 2-day visit in Morocco to boost interfaith dialogue Story II: Hundreds gather to attend Pope Francis' mass in Morocco |
PHOTOGRAPHY
I began my internship with Morocco World News as a news correspondent but by the end of my first month was given the additional role of staff photographer. This meant that I not only continued to take all of the photos for my own stories, but also had to begin taking photos for the stories of my colleagues. It was a blast, I loved working with other journalists to find ways to best illustrate their incredible reporting.