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Moroccan Community in Corsica Faces Second Ramadan Away from Home Due to Travel Restrictions

Friday 16 April 2021, by Ginette

While they thought they could return to Morocco to spend the month of Ramadan with their families, Moroccans in Corsica will, for the second consecutive year, have to be content to stay in place. Beyond the measures taken by France, Morocco has suspended maritime and air links with France and Spain.

Moroccans represent the largest foreign community in Corsica, with nearly 40,000 members. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there was not a month of Ramadan when they did not return to their country. The Moroccan consul in Corsica, Mohammed Harak, confides that we must get used to this new life made of restrictions, border closures to fight against the spread of the pandemic. "It is true that it is hard not to be able to go to one’s country during this month of celebration, even I as a consul have not returned to Morocco for 16 months because of my responsibilities in Corsica," he reported France Bleu.

Faced with the disappointment of his compatriots, the Consul invites them to fully experience the month even if they are stuck abroad. "For a year now we have had to live differently, we adapt to the situation. Ramadan, it’s the same everywhere. Personally, I don’t observe it differently here. It’s a sacred month of piety but also of meetings with friends and Moroccans in Corsica have their friends on the island, but what we may miss is that particular aspect of a Ramadan that can only be found in Morocco. We hope to be able to spend part of this time on site next year," he said.

In terms of the links between Corsica and Morocco, the Consul indicates the opening of a direct weekly air link between Fez and Bastia starting July 3 by the airline Transavia.