Organised in the heart of Ribate Tit, the 2012 edition of the Moussem of Moulay Abdellah Amghar was a great success and regained the prestige of yesteryear. This major popular event maintains the tradition rooted in the Moroccan landscape for centuries. It was an opportunity to pay tribute to the Kouassems falconers and the 1,600 horsemen of the equestrian tradition. This moussem brought together more than 500,000 people who travelled from all over the country to pay their respects at the tomb of the saint Moulay Abdellah Amghar, whose sanctuary is meticulously maintained by his descendants. In addition to the religious events, this event was also an opportunity for festival-goers to attend open-air "halkas" shows within the "mahrek", fantasias, to discover falconry, the culinary arts of the different regions and to dance to the rhythm of musical and folkloric evenings…
During this memorable ceremony, which was presided over by provincial authorities, including the governor of the El-Jadida province, Mouâad El Jamaï, the emphasis was placed on the both civic and spiritual character that this moussem takes on. The event testifies to the deep respect that the Moroccan people have for H.M. King Mohammed VI and the defence of the sacred values of Islam.
The Doukkala moussem was certainly a success, but some shortcomings were recorded here and there:
-* 1. Regarding cleanliness and drinking water: it is unacceptable to see this commune, one of the richest communes in Morocco, remain in a very primitive state at a time when it is supposed to satisfy all the expectations of its inhabitants and visitors. Worse still, the grounds of the sanctuary of the saint Moulay Abdellah were also a real "rubbish dump".
-* 2. Regarding sanitation: every year, the number of visitors to the moussem exceeds 500,000 people. However, everything is left to chance. Thus, for all these visitors, there were only a few toilets in a lamentable state. Why then does this locality, which is one of the richest in the country, not strengthen this aspect by calling on, during the moussem, a specialised private company to equip it with paid mobile toilets?
-* 3. Regarding security: despite the great efforts made by the agents of the Royal Gendarmerie and the Auxiliary Forces, it is necessary to improve and strengthen security in the sensitive points of the moussem, namely "El Mahrek", the square reserved for popular evenings and the station, by calling on a company specialised in this field.
-* 4. The choice of the "coincidence" of the Jawhara Festival and the moussem was not judicious, because it was the provincial security agents who suffered from it given the lack of staff and means necessary to ensure the smooth running of the event.
-* 5. The location and space reserved for car parks leave something to be desired. Consequently, it is essential that an evaluation meeting be held in the presence of the potential of Doukkala-Abda, the Chorfas amghariyines, parliamentarians, local elected officials, members of the press and eminent professors.
A traditional wrestling show
On the sidelines of the moussem, the Royal Moroccan Federation of Associated Wrestling (FRMLA) organised, in Moulay Abdellah, the African Traditional Wrestling Championship (Lamaabza). During the closing ceremony, a large exhibition hosted by Moroccan and African wrestlers took place in the presence of local personalities.
A 4-year strategy was put in place by the Federation concerning, in a first stage, the broadening of the base of practitioners of this discipline at the level of all regions of the Kingdom. In addition to the implementation of the partnership programme concluded with the National Mutual Aid, the objective is to train national teams in the youth categories with a view to participating in the world junior and cadet championships scheduled before the end of the current year.
The FRMLA plans to bid for the organisation of a number of continental and international competitions, such as the African Traditional Wrestling Championships in Moulay Abdellah (El-Jadida province), the Arab Cadet Championships and the Beach Wrestling World Championships (2013) in addition to the Cadet World Championships which will take place the same year.
