Radical Extremism and Social Media

Radical Extremism and Social Media

    Indubitable, that every one in the the globe, be it a child or a grown up , has heard of the terrorist group ISIS [the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria]. Since its early days, ISIS has made of social media platforms useful tools for dispersing its propaganda - consequently its extremist ideology. 

  Youtube, for instant, has been one of the central tools used by the group. A simple typing of the groups name would lead the viewer to thousand of propadanda vedioes that are available in high quality and filmed with the very  high standers of professionalism akin to that of a Hollywood productions.

  

     Even Facebook and Twitter did not elude its hands. Though their strict user terms and politicies, ISIS has managed to find pores to insert its poisenous ,brain-washing ideology. For example, members of the group mght impose themselves as administators of Muslim web pages in order to persuade users, especially young Muslims, as to join their bloody crusade; thus, circumventing the policies of the platform used. And the example said is only the tip of the iceberg.

  My advice those wanting to know Islam is to carefully analyse what you read, view or watch at tese sites,  and the best way of learning about Islam is by reading about the Prophet's (pbuh) life and his companion's too.

        The need for a revolution in morocco

   Since the Arab Spring, starting in 2011 and lasting tell this day, the talks about revolution in Morocco grow louder and louder. Enforced by the economical crisis and the high living costs and fueled by the community’s outrage against the corruption sweeping the kingdom, the talks gathered momentum. However, one question remains: Do we, Moroccans, really desire a pointless revolution?

   

    Even before the chaotic Arab Spring, the debate over change was subject matter in the Moroccan political avenue and community. And Moroccan, both politicians and commoners, believe that change is a one-step at a time process not a sudden and violent change, which will destabilize the country. This instability is what all post revolution countries akin to Tunisia, Libya and Syria are living currently. The former example of these countries shows what sudden eruptive revolution/change might cause, and a revolution, even at its ideal state, would result in instability of the state involved.

   Then, if we did not revolt, one might ask, things will never change? Maybe, but a blood-shed rebellion is the last thing we need. Instead, Moroccans should bring about change peacefully, and a cultural revolution is the first step to the investable change. What is a cultural revolution some might ask? It is a first step toward change. What is more is that it is a revolution which will enlighten the people of Morocco and increase their level of awareness; thus, erase illiteracy and total ignorance. In other words, the more we educate, the more we get closer to achieving our revolution because if the citizens of Morocco are aware of both their Rights and Duties, they will neither find trouble fighting for them nor respecting them.

                                So, what type of revolution do you want?

Moroccan youth and the mystery of voting in the upcoming elections

Moroccan youth and the mystery of voting in the upcoming elections

   Probably, the most talked about subject in the Moroccan society these days is the upcoming elections this September, and many Moroccan wonder whether Moroccan youth will finally break their silence and participate in the upcoming elections. However, given the low percentage of youth turnout in the last elections, things looks to be another déjà vu. So, what are the main causes of youth reluctance from voting?

    First, most youth believe that change will never come due to the successive disappointment of governments. For instance, in 2011, when the Islamic-oriented party of justice and development, led by the current president Mr.Ben Kiran, took power, their promises were big and bright, yet the sad reality that it was only lies. Trough-out their campaign they voiced an extremely large number of fancy slogans such as "we shall bring down all sorts of corruption," and "we will bring about change and social justice and equality to all," but, seriously, does not one notice how that every political party, running for office, recites what its predecessor promised, though not delivered. And genuinely this is only one of the reasons why Moroccan youth refuse to vote; the following paragraph will shed light on another aspect of the issue. 

   Second, another thing which hinder youth involvement in policy making is the wide spread officials’ corruption. In 2012, morocco ranked as the tenth corrupted country among other eighteen Arab countries in the report issued by GISWATCH. Moreover, Moroccan youth believe that even if a corrupt official is replaced; the one replacing him ultimately follow their footsteps, and change can never come unless there is a drastic change in mentality. What is more, I dare add that the main cause for Moroccan youth’s withdrawal from the political scene is that sense of estrangement they feel as if they are left behind when it comes to decision making.

   In short words, I believe that change will only occur if youth rise and unite to fight for their rights and establish a real political representation in the Moroccan political scene, away from all the corrupt greedy politicians, and this will only happen if youth participate actively in the upcoming elections not only as voters but also as candidates.  

Moroccan youth and the media 

 

    The first thing I did after creating this blog was asking some of my friends about what they want as qualities in those whose job is to inform them about the changes in their world- the media. Their answers were likewise : integrity, professionalism and objectivity; these qualities are found so little in Moroccan media since most of the media platforms(journals, channels, radio, web journals…) are either state controlled or owned by some political party.

   On further inquiries about these qualities, my friends defined integrity as truth, completely and utterly. They said that a large number of Moroccan journals manipulate the truth to show rather a different image than the one that is actually. Besides, some even go further with their manipulative actions to either hold vital information, or by giving a total opposite version of the happening. Moreover, they pointed out that the media only show the full half of the glass; that is to say, they only focus on the positive aspect of the story leaving its negative one.      

  Other qualities which my friends would like to have in the media are professionalism and objectivity. They both might be considered as the two faces of a coin in the media, for they are must have quality in the journalist. Because some Moroccan journalists are somehow unfamiliar with these terms, I am going to briefly define them. First, Professionalism is having the competence to practice an activity, for instant, reporting the news, with a profound efficiency; this which Moroccan media fall to do. They only report on trivial news neglecting the core issues in the ordinary Moroccan person’s life. Second, Objectivity is dealing with the news in a neutral way avoiding bias and prejudice. 

    As a sum up, my friends said that the media should be independent, straightforward and frank dealing with important issue of our society and neglecting the insignificant issues.  For after all, the media is a representation of the people, not those who own it but those ordinary folks of the society.