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Weekly highlights

Defense of heritage

When mosaic tilework polarizes intellectuals

T HE formal notice sent by Mo- in Algeria and Spain is more proof of
the episodic presence of Morocco in
rocco to the Adidas company
these territories than any paternity of
has unleashed an exciting so-
cietal debate. Two approaches to the these countries on this heritage”. In
defense of heritage are beginning the book “Le Maroc andalou” written
to emerge in the context of a global by archaeologist and historian Abde-
context where the protected origin of laziz Touri, the emergence of traditio-
products is becoming an intangible nal ceramic craftsmanship was gene-
issue and a strike force in terms of soft ralized by the Merinids (Moroccan
power. The first approach is said to be dynasty) and the Nasrids (Andalusian
universal and does not want to confine dynasty of Umayyad origin) . “Used
culture within borders. The second for the composition of polychrome
approach, being more nationalistic marquetry, this technique is however
in nature, wants the world to reco- not a creation of the Marinid dynasty
gnize Morocco’s paternity on zellige since we note its presence in the civil
(mosaic tilework). In reaction to the and religious monuments of the city of
information, our journalist colleague Fez from the seventh century, a period
Abdellah Tourabi reacted on Twitter: prior to the main constructions of the
“And what to say about the Spaniards Alhambra”, can one read in the book.
who will file a complaint against Mo- Zellige, the first traces of which date back to the 8th century under the Idrissid dynasty in Fez, was gene- After the various migrations of the
rocco for a large portion of our cuisine ralized under the Nasrid and the Merinid dynasties around the 11th century (Ph. DR) Judeo-Muslim populations of Anda-
(almond-based pastry for example), dynasties. It would be futile, however, becomes conflictual. Zellige, which is lusia towards Morocco, because those
they who took it from the Arabs who to limit this opposition to a dichotomy a ceramic art found mainly in Moroc- populations were struck by the Edicts
themselves took it from the Persians between a bloc with narrow chau- co, is actually present in two places of Expulsion, the craftsmanship in
who themselves took it from the Turks vinist ideas, and another block that outside Morocco s borders, namely in all its artistic component would bear
from whom we borrowed the Caftan is peaceful and open. The subject is Andalusia and in Tlemcen. This is cal- the mark of these craftsmen. Thus,
(women’s dress) and other symbols… inherently more complicated, because led Moorish identity. Is it Moroccan? the Cherifian dynasty of the Saadians
This is becoming really grotesque!”. if we define Moroccan heritage as the Algerian? Spanish? took up the model of the pavilions of
This statement has unleashed the one contained within the borders of “Morocco is today the main deposi- the Court of the Lions of the Alham-
passions of what is called on social the current national state, we run the tory of this civilization”, says histo- bra, and endowed the Qaraouiyyine
networks, the “Moorish”, a move- risk of benefiting from only limited rian Bernard Lugan (Editor’s note: mosque with two pavilions attached
ment aimed at reviving the “gran- protection. On the other hand, if one born in Meknes and specialist in the to the short sides of the courtyard with
deur of the empire of Morocco” and refers to the historical natural zones of history of Morocco). “The presence a few variations. o
reclaiming the imperial history of the influence of the Kingdom, the subject of remains of this architectural style Abdessamad NAIMI
Bank account in arrears: Alarm sounded in commercial jurisdictions

I T was predictable. The Covid-19 the two-year statute of limitations pe- the date of the first unremedied event Nevertheless, this shift, certainly ex-
riod. This was compartmentalized wit- of default, and not when the bank pro- plicable from the legal standpoint, is
crisis, the stagnation of economic
hin several triggering events. Before nounced the debt as being uncollec- clearly criticized by the magistrates of
activity, as well as the internatio-
nal situation have led to an explosion the judgment of the Court of Cassation tible. However, since September 2013, first instance. They see it not only as a
of bad debts. According to the latest of September 12, 2013, when a credit things have changed. On the one hand, main cause for a surplus of workload
report from the central bank (Bank Al- institution noted that a borrower had the two-year period applies to each ma- to be processed, but also require the
Maghrib), the arrears would represent not paid his debt on the due date, the turity, individually. Thus, if a borrower Court of Cassation to issue a judgment
nearly 90 billion Dirhams (9 billion credit institution had two years, from does not repay the monthly payment in principle to oblige banking opera-
USD). At the judicial level, magistrates this date of observation, to claim in due on January 1, 2020, the bank will tors to warn their customers of such a
are sounding the alarm. “This new court the reimbursement of all the have until January 1, 2022 to compel shift. In addition to the procedures for
court season was marked by the explo- amount demanded. If the credit insti- him to do so. If he does not repay the the realization of collateral and repay-
sion of procedures involving unpaid tution did not do so within this period, installment of February 1, 2020, the ment requirements, our source indi-
debts, in particular banking debts, and its action was time-barred, and the deb- bank will have until February 1, 2022 cates that nearly 3,000 grace periods
the realization of collaterals”, indicates tor had nothing more to repay, neither to do so, and so on. Indeed, the sta- have been requested by consumers
a judge of the commercial chamber at capital, nor interest, nor any compen- tute of limitations is split like the debt and professionals during this new
the Casablanca Court of Appeals. Ac- sation. However, the practice was such itself and runs, with respect to each of court season. This is an exceptional
cording to him, cases have increased by that banks exceeded this deadline, and its fractions, from its due date, and the measure that the president of the court
45% compared to the annual average in for good reason, namely the various action for payment of unpaid monthly grants by order, and which consists
the Casablanca courts alone. “It is real- mediation and amicable settlement installments becomes time-barred from of suspending the performance of the
ly mindboggling”, admits our source. procedures, always preferable for the their successive due dates. On the other debtor’s obligations, particularly in the
There is a case law, concomitant with financial operators. hand, the fact that a banker exceeds this event of layoff or of an unforeseeable
the economic crisis, which has allowed This trend was based on the fact that limitation period no longer affects the social situation. o
this explosion. It is the processing of the two-year limitation period began on rest of the debt. Abdessamad NAIMI

Friday 7 October 2022