Marrakech Nightclub Shut Down for Using National Anthem to Promote Alcohol

On the web, actors in the tourism sector as well as anyone who viewed a viral video documenting this exploitation of the national anthem for advertising alcoholic beverages expressed their indignation. They also denounced it as an outrage to national symbols.

On Tuesday, the wali of the Marrakech-Safi region and governor of the Marrakech prefecture took action against the establishment. He decided to close it for a period of 30 days, in order to put an end to this kind of disorder used to promote alcoholic beverages in the ochre city. Previously, a similar decision had been taken by the wilaya of Marrakech against a luxury restaurant in the Hivernage district, which had committed the same act.

According to the Moroccan Penal Code, anyone guilty of having damaged the emblem of Morocco and its symbols is liable to a sentence ranging from 6 months to 3 years in prison, along with a fine of up to 100,000 dirhams.