Latest news with #Moroccan-Dutch
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan humanitarian's 38-year wheelchair mission threatened in the Netherlands
Mohammed Chaoui, founder of the Tangier Wheelchair Foundation, is at risk of pausing his decades-long mission of collecting and sending refurbished wheelchairs to Morocco. The old Ritmeester cigar factory in Veenendaal (Utrecht), which currently serves as his base, is set to be demolished by July 1 to make way for 170 new homes, reports RTV Utrecht. Since founding the organization in 1986, after meeting a man in Tangier who had never seen a wheelchair, Chaoui has shipped up to 300 wheelchairs and other medical equipment each year to Morocco, including sports wheelchairs for athletes. The Moroccan-Dutch humanitarian has always operated from buildings awaiting demolition in order to keep costs low. With no income from his work and no affordable alternative yet found, he fears he may be forced to halt operations temporarily. Chaoui has appealed to the municipality of Veenendaal for help but has not yet secured a new location. «I am now 65 years old, but as long as I am healthy, I want to keep doing this. But I cannot continue without a building. So I'm really hoping someone has space for me in Veenendaal or just outside», he pleaded.
Ya Biladi
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan-Dutch coaches seek UEFA PRO diploma via Morocco
Moroccan former professional footballer and current Sparta assistant coach Nourdin Boukhari is working to obtain the UEFA PRO diploma through Morocco, after being deemed ineligible for the course in the Netherlands for now. «Yes, I'm trying», Boukhari said on ESPN's Goedemorgen Eredivisie. «I've indicated to the KNVB that I want to do UEFA PRO to get my highest coaching credentials. But to qualify for that, I first have to train a team independently for one year. Only then can I do UEFA PRO with the KNVB». With that requirement standing in his way, Boukhari is turning to the Moroccan Football Federation, which is opening its doors to Moroccan-Dutch coaches based in Europe. «The Moroccan association has indicated that they want to give Moroccan-Dutch trainers in the Netherlands the opportunity to grow as a trainer in Morocco», he said. «They want to arrange that paper for you there. For that, you have to be in Morocco a few times, also be on the field, and then they look at the qualities that you have. They also want to come to the Netherlands a few times. And then there are a lot of online meetings», he explained. He's not alone. Others going through the same process include Saïd Bakkati, Ali Boussaboun, Oussama Assaidi, Karim El Ahmadi, and Khalid Sinouh. «I am trying to complete that as soon as possible», Boukhari said. «But that piece of paper is only valid in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. They are working on making that diploma valid in Europe as well».
Ya Biladi
12-03-2025
- General
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan tree becomes symbol of inclusivity in Dutch park
A Moroccan Atlas cedar was planted in Leiden's Singelpark as part of a symbolic project unveiled yesterday. The cedar, along with a Dutch winter oak and a Turkish hazel tree, forms a triangle in Huigpark intended to connect people and cultures from the three countries. According to Sleutelstad newspaper, the initiative was partly conceived by Moroccan-Dutch councilor Abdelhaq Jermoumi, who oversees inclusivity in the city. Jermoumi collaborated with botanical curator Rinny Kooi on the project, which aims to make the park known to more diverse communities. «Many people in North Leiden don't know what the Singelpark is», Jermoumi stated, hoping the trees will help introduce the park concept to Moroccan and Turkish residents. The tree planting coincides with the 12.5-year anniversary of the citizen initiative behind Singelpark in 2025. While hundreds of thousands of people already use the park annually, organizers believe the symbolic trees will help expand awareness about the inclusive nature of this public space among all of Leiden's communities.
