Following the terrible earthquake in the Marrakech-Safi region on 8 September, which has so far claimed almost 3,000 lives, a number of public figures and artists are rallying to support the victims and help rebuild the kingdom. Jamel Debbouze is currently in Marrakech and calls for donations. He encourages tourists to keep their reservations and come to Morocco to support the local economy. For his part, Gad El Maleh encouraged his community to help the kingdom. Mariam Hussein is also appealing to public figures to organise a show to raise funds to support the people affected by the earthquake.
Several historic monuments have been affected, particularly in the medina of Marrakech, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The international organisation has sent a team to assess the damage. Among the main damage, portions of the city's historic wall were destroyed or cracked, while a large part of the minaret of the Kharbouche mosque, on the Place Jemaa el-Fna, was reduced to rubble. Overlooking the same square, the famous medieval Koutoubia mosque is still standing, but weakened by structural cracks. The Kasbah of Agadir Oufella has been ripped open in several places following the collapse of several sections of its stone ramparts. Founded in 1540, the fortress had already been damaged by the 1960 earthquake.
Photo: "The Hands", 2020, Moroccan photographer Hassan Hajjaj. Copyrights Hassan Hajjaj.