We learned a lot today in our classes here in Rabat. The first thing we learned a lot about is religion. Most of the country of Morocco is Muslim, over 90% and you can see some of this by the way they live. A lot of women wear Hijabs outside of the home, however there are also a lot who do not. In addition, every morning and during the day the call to prayer happens and you can hear it all throughout the Medina. However, I have not really noticed as many people as I though praying as it goes off. For example, today I was in the Souks and the call to prayer went off and a lot of people continued shopping like normal.

Another thing we learned a lot about is Moroccan politics. Morocco has a King and we learned that people often follow the laws best when the King leads by example. I also found it very interesting that the King did not marry someone who was also royalty, I believe she was just a Engineer. I also think the politics is interesting because I just did not think of politics in a way that would really be the case if there was not a president like back in the US. Overall, the politics was very interesting and I enjoyed learning more about it especially when the rules and laws in place will effect us while we are here in Morocco.

Finally we learned about the role of women both in the homes and society. We learned a couple days ago that women who used to leave the house were looked down upon because it meant that they did not have a good man who would go out for them. However, it is a lot better now. Women go out often and are able to shop, go to schools, and have jobs. Women are also considered the head of the house. When men used to visit the home for big party celebrations or other events they would even have control of where the men could go and take them to locations like the bathroom if they left the square they were allowed. The role women has impacts the way that our house functions with my host Mom making all the meals and doing stuff around the house to help.

Write again tomorrow!

Sarah Lowman