Latest news with #Alj
Morocco World
02-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
CGEM Urges Morocco's Private Sector to Grant June 9 Holiday for Eid Al Adha
Rabat – Chakib Alj, the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), has urged the private sector companies to grant employees a day off on Monday, June 9, aligning with the public sector, in celebration of Eid Al-Adha, which will take place on Saturday, June 7 in Morocco. Last week, the government decided to exceptionally suspend work in state administrations and local authorities on Monday, June 9. CGEM called on companies to follow suit, noting: 'We invite, as far as possible, private sector companies to also grant Monday, June 9, as a day off to their employees,' Alj said. Eid Al Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu Al Hijjah, the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Islamic month marks Eid Al Adha or the sacrifice feast, which commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah's command. Dhu Al Hijjah also marks the Hajj pilgrimage, which will commence on June 4. While the feast is a sacred and special time in Morocco, Moroccans will celebrate it differently this time. In February, Morocco announced its decision to cancel the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual due to drought and a notable decrease in the country's livestock population due to dry seasons that affected Morocco's agriculture sector for six years in a row. This is not the first time Morocco has canceled the Eid Al Adha sacrifice ritual. The first time dates back to 1963 when the late King Hassan II announced the cancellation of the sacrifice ritual during the Sand War between Morocco and Algeria, as it affected the two countries' economies. The second time was in 1981, and the cancellation was due to drought, as well as in 1996. Last week, ONCF announced that it has expanded the train schedule ahead of Eid Al Adha from May 30 to June 15 to help travelers move easily and safely during the holiday. The program includes up to 237 trains per day across the national network. ONCF also pledged to add extra trains on the main routes to help passengers during busy times. Tags: Eid Al Adhaeid al adha 2025
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Burlington teen meets donor for kidney transplant; ‘Life is too beautiful to give up on'
BURLINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) – We have a great update about a young man many of you have followed throughout the years. Albert Jeffries, known as Alj, is from Burlington and received a heart transplant nearly 10 years ago. Now, he needs a kidney transplant. He has a donor and his surgery is scheduled for Feb. 4. As a baby, he was diagnosed with a heart condition. Then he had his life-saving heart transplant at 13. At the age of 22, he found out that his kidneys weren't working and that he would need a new one. NASCAR legend makes 1 millionth Give a Kid a Coat donation His mom has been by his side for all of this. On Wednesday, she arranged an unforgettable surprise for Alj to meet the donor who is saving his life. 'I could not let go. I didn't want to let go at all,' Alj said about the moment he met his donor. The two shared a powerful hug that held tight to hope. 'It's amazing. I really don't have the words. It was just very surreal and emotional but it was almost like we've known each other too. It was an immediate connection,' said Mandy Harris, the donor. Two strangers, connected, at first through social media. 'I followed his story on Facebook when he was younger and had his heart transplant and then I didn't follow him for a little while and then it popped up on my Facebook page that his mom said he needed a kidney transplant,' Harris said. Soon, they will be physically connected too. 'When I saw the post and it had the clinic information on there on how to go and get tested, I immediately just felt led to do it. I just feel at peace and I have felt at peace from the very beginning,' Harris said. Mandy shares a part of her life to give Alj a second chance at his. 'It makes me think of her as an angel, as a guardian angel,' Alj said. He knew the kidney was on the way, but he had no idea where it was coming from. 'I am still trying to process everything really. I didn't expect it to happen,' Alj said. He thought he was just going to the hospital for an appointment on Wednesday but instead, his mom and the donor planned a surprise. While in the waiting room, he got a box with a note inside that told him his donor was in the room with him. Mandy also gave him a matching sweatshirt that she was wearing to show they are a perfect match. 'It was a surprise. It was a surprise. I was like, 'Oh my god, I can't believe this is about to happen,'' Alj said. Another surgery, another transplant and another unknown road ahead. But Alj is ready to take this journey with Mandy by his side. 'The fact that she is willing to give me a kidney, a part of herself, for me to live longer makes me appreciate her a lot. Life is too beautiful to give up on,' Alj said. After years of following Alj's story online, the post today on Alj's Facebook page on Wednesday is about Mandy and her selfless donation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
