Pool Reports by Nadia Bilbassy, Al-Arabiya
| Sent: | Reports: |
| June 4, 2023 14:10 WEST |
FLOTUS Pool #1 Marrakech, Morocco Good morning on this beautiful mild weather day from Marrakech, we left the hotel around 10:30 am and joined FLOTUS's motorcade to a closed press event where she met with embassy staff from Rabat, we were holding in a van for a short time before heading to the Madrasa that took us through the most famous market in the old city in Marrakesh. Tourists were walking briskly wondering about the VIP guest. We walked through artisan shops selling traditional fabrics and jewelries, few cafes dotted the narrow alleys with stones, some small restaurants were preparing lunch meals, the smell of carmalized onion felled the thin air as we were holding for her in the beautiful Sook. The wait was around 15 minutes before she emerged in a brigh red dress walking with her staff and other officials, your pooler and other local press were told to move quickly through the narrow alleyways full with tourists, secret agents and shop keepers. Press rushed through main narrow door of the old Madrasa Ben Youssef, an impressive ancient building with colorful tiles and a pool in the courtyard. FLOTUS walked in with the US ambassador Puneet Talwar and few officials both Morrocans and Americans. Mr Larbi Bazzi the curator of Ben Youssef Madrasa was explaining to her about the school which in effect considered one of the most well known cultural site in North Africa, your pooler couldn't hear well what he was saying to her. Inside the building she was meeting with social and environmental activists. The meeting itself wad closed press. After the pool spay we were sprinting again through the alleyways of the market to reach the motorcade. On her way back through the market FLOTUS bought rose potpourri from a local shop keeper. We are holding in a van waiting for our next stop with is Ennakhil association. Here is more background on the Madrasa and FLOTUS activities from her office. DAY 6 OF 7: SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023 Marrakech, Morocco: Meet with staff and families of U.S. Embassy Rabat and U.S. Consulate General Casablanca In the morning, the First Lady will greet families and staff of U.S. Embassy Rabat and U.S. Consulate General Casablanca. This visit will be closed press. Marrakech, Morocco: Visit to Ben Youssef Madrasa In the afternoon, the First Lady will visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, once one of the largest Islamic Educational institutions in North Africa. This visit will be pooled press. During the visit, the First Lady will be joined by young Moroccan leaders, as well as U.S. and Moroccan officials, including:
About the Ben Youssef Madrasa Marrakech, Morocco: Visit to the Ennakhil Association In the afternoon, as part of the First Lady's work to empower women and youth around the world, Dr. Biden will meet with Moroccan women at the Ennakhil Association, a Moroccan nonprofit organization in Marrakech, and deliver remarks. During the visit, Dr. Biden will meet with the staff and participants of two programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including the Ennakhil Association and the Cooperative Financing Program. This visit will demonstrate the U.S. Government's continued commitment and partnership with the Moroccan Government to support women and women's economic empowerment. This visit will be pooled press. The First Lady will be joined by Moroccan women, members of the Ennakhil Association, and U.S. and Moroccan officials, including:
Speaking program:
About the Ennakhil Association About Manal Benchlikha |
| June 4, 2023 17:42 WEST |
FLOTUS Pool #2 Marrakech, Morocco Motorcade rolled to Ennakhill Association, around 15 minutes' drive from the Madraasa , press pool entered the four-story building to a setup of white umbrellas, wooden chairs and few green trees on the rooftop. US ambassador Puneet Talwar said (We're thrilled to be joined by the President of six cooperatives who have received grants from the US agency from the United States Agency for International Development. These cooperatives generating economic growth and jobs in their communities that we are proud to work with). He then introduced Moroccan singer Manal Benchlikha to the podium against a huge backdrop of a USAID banner. FLOTUS visited Ennakhil Association as part of her work to empower women and young people around the world. Ms Benchilkha talked about using her music to empower women, her song Niya which means intention in Arabic highlights that. She said, " I would like to sincerely thank the First Lady for her mobilization for women and for including Moroccan women into this whole dynamic." The First Lady took the podium, the entire speech is copied here via the link below but here are some highlights: We are reminded that when women come together to mentor and mend, to tell stories, we can rewrite narratives of injustice and inequality. She talked about Latifa Ibn Ziaten who received the US courage award after her son was killed by terrorists. She mentioned the work princess Lalla Hasna does in educating young people about protecting the environment. Afterwards that she joined the women who suffered domestic violence, they demonstrated their products and told their stories, they clustered around her, and she invited them to take a photo . A series of gifts were presented to her, your pooler saw a bed cover, a golden painted tray, an embroidered tablecloth, then one of women threw a velvet cloak around her, Dr Biden said (I feel like a Princess). The women invited her inside a large room to sample some of their traditional Moroccan food that was in full display. She listened to more explanation about the legal and economic support the association gives to women, one of the highlights was the direct link direct link between COVID 19 and domestic violence increase. Pool exited the building before FLOTUS, motorcade moved towards the hotel through immaculate leafy streets. I was told no more public events for the First Lady tonight. Have a great Sunday everyone. From the First Lady's office : In the afternoon, as part of the First Lady's work to empower women and youth around the world, Dr. Biden will meet with Moroccan women at the Ennakhil Association, a Moroccan nonprofit organization in Marrakech, and deliver remarks. During the visit, Dr. Biden will meet with the staff and participants of two programs funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), including the Ennakhil Association and the Cooperative Financing Program. This visit will demonstrate the U.S. Government's continued commitment and partnership with the Moroccan Government to support women and women's economic empowerment. This visit will be pooled press. The First Lady will be joined by Moroccan women, members of the Ennakhil Association, and U.S. and Moroccan officials, including:
Speaking program:
About the Ennakhil Association Here is a link to her full remarks : About Manal Benchlikha |
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Jill Biden, First Lady Pool Reports of June 4, 2023 Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/363003