Morocco Blocks Israeli-Organized Dance Festival in Marrakech During Ramadan

The festival organizer had booked a large hall for her dance workshops as well as 50 rooms for the dancers in a grand palace in Marrakech, in order to organize a dance event scheduled between June 3 and 10.

For religious considerations, the local authorities preferred to refuse the authorization, especially during this sacred month. An exemption which, according to a senior official, would prevent harm to public order and spare the religious feelings of Moroccans.

Upset by this decision, and after several attempts, Simona Guzman finally withdrew, writing on Facebook that the Moroccan authorities had succumbed to the pressure of "Islamists". "I have become persona non grata in Morocco," she added. However, she did not fail to ask the hotels in Marrakech to avoid hosting competing festivals.

As can be seen in numerous videos posted on YouTube, the dancer Simona Guzman visits Morocco very regularly, where she gives dance classes or participates in festivals.