Morocco - anyone know what the political situation is there right now?

[csziggy]

I tried looking at Google, but it does not tell me the general political situation and feeling toward Americans at this time.

I'm asking because my niece and her husband of a little over a year are going to Morocco. He is from Morocco and most of his family have not met my niece. He is also using this visit to get some dental work done that he cannot afford to have here.

I'd just like a general idea of what is happening there now so I can worry/not worry as the case may be. It won't make a difference since they have already taken off headed that way. I just want to know that my niece and nephew in law will be safe.

[MineralMan]

1. It wouldn't be my choice of destinations right now.

Look here:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_975.html

[csziggy]

2. Thank you for that link - I've bookmarked it just in case

I hope they will be safe. His family is apparently well off so I guess they will be staying with them. I also hope that being a spouse of a Moroccan will help protect her from harassment.

She will likely be very disappointed in the country and in attitudes towards women. Although she does not think of herself as a feminist, she takes her freedom as a woman for granted and may be surprised at how restricted it will be in Morocco even though it is not one of the more restrictive Islamic countries.

Her mother (my sister) and step-father will be in England and they are all supposed to meet in London later in the month. Hopefully if there are any problems, they can get out and get help if need be.

Frankly, any Islamic country would not be my preferred destination right now. There is bound to be some level of reactions to the death of Osama bin Laden even in countries where his influence has not been apparent. But my niece and her husband have been planning this trip since shortly after they got married and this was when they could go.

[MineralMan]

3. Since he has family there who have resources, it will probably

be fine. They'll know the situation at the time. I wouldn't worry too much about it. They should be just fine. I'd feel differently if they were just casual tourists.

[csziggy]

4. Yes, if she as an American woman were going as a tourist

I'd be freaked out.

He really needs to get the dental work done. I think his father or one of his brothers is a dentist so he can get the work done cheaply or free while in Morocco though he cannot afford it at all here in the US.

She is excited about the trip and about meeting the rest of her new family. I hope she has a good time and is accepted by them.

It was a little rough for him at first in our family - my parents, especially Dad, were not prepared to accept him but he is charming and has worked hard to fit in and I think he has won them over. I find him to be a really nice guy and if he will take good care of my niece, I don't care about anything else.

[MineralMan]

5. Not all Muslim families are the same. I'm sure she'll charm them

as much as she did her new husband and they'll accept her as family. Morocco is an interesting country, and I hope she gets to see some it, accompanied by her new in-laws.