Are Americans safe in Morocco?

[Martiniolive 0]

I ask this because I have spent 5 weeks at a time in morocco and felt very safe and thought the local people were actually very kind and warm and I felt very safe. However my husband (from morocco) tells me that he does not want us to live in morocco (as a last resort) because he feels (altho visiting morocco is ok) alot of people are prejudiced against Americans because of the war and will be unkind to me. He feels living there would actually be dangerous for us both. He feels that if I knew the native languages fluently at least than I could defend myself if the say bad things to me but because he feels I do not understand and am too nice, I would just smile and somehow that would be worse. also we would be reprimanded if we show affection in public if we forget to control our actions. And that the government is very protective of americans and if anything happened to me he would be prosocuted and punished. WOW! He also said he would be so nervous to leave me alone that he would not be able to work like he would have to watch me all the time. I have not heard anyone else say this stuff. I mean he said he would love it if we could have a home there and visit but he just thinks it is not possible. What do you all think? Is this true? It seems crazy. He sounds like my parents before I went there the first time.

[nunyab 0]

Well, My husband and family reside in Casablanca a large city...my husband is protective of me and didn't like the idea of me being out alone. In fact i was never out in public alone. We never show public affection as i am a Muslimah in Hijab and he feels it is disrespectrul and he/we are private he will hold my hand and guide me through the traffic. I don't smile at or look at men in the eyes as respect for my husband unless they are talking to me.

Am I safe there? Well Ex MI vet I had to get clearance prior to going there and was told to stay aware of things and away from large gatherings like market. Ie i believe they were more concerned about a grander scale thing happening then me being snatched and grabbed but that was it.

My MIL and family would love me to move there and eventually we will when the kids are older without fear so I am not certain what exactly he is referring too...the only reason we are not living there is cause of the kids i have 50% custody of and there is no work there. Whatever his reasons are i am sure he feels strongly about them.

Good luck.. our back up plan??? Madrid Spain, he's got work and I have family from there so me getting residancy a sinch

[Martiniolive 0]

Hey Hijabi Princess Rajaa Spain sounds dreamy. I vote for spain! We talked about morocco in the beginning and I actually really wanted an apartment there in the city in meknes or? but when it became a more serious possibility to seek residency someplace other than the USA my husband asked around and everyone just told him it was a really bad idea and we would have alot happier life with better overall conditions else where. But I had not heard this before about maroc. Senior Member Martini *good lord*!

Well, My husband and family reside in Casablanca a large city...my husband is protective of me and didn't like the idea of me being out alone. In fact i was never out in public alone. We never show public affection as i am a Muslimah in Hijab and he feels it is disrespectrul and he/we are private he will hold my hand and guide me through the traffic. I don't smile at or look at men in the eyes as respect for my husband unless they are talking to me.

Am I safe there? Well Ex MI vet I had to get clearance prior to going there and was told to stay aware of things and away from large gatherings like market. Ie i believe they were more concerned about a grander scale thing happening then me being snatched and grabbed but that was it.

My MIL and family would love me to move there and eventually we will when the kids are older without fear so I am not certain what exactly he is referring too...the only reason we are not living there is cause of the kids i have 50% custody of and there is no work there. Whatever his reasons are i am sure he feels strongly about them.

Good luck.. our back up plan??? Madrid Spain, he's got work and I have family from there so me getting residancy a sinch

Edited October 28, 2008 by martiniolive

[brnidokiegurl 0]

I think in the larger cities you will experience all, you already knew about the touchy touchy in public so thats not new and im sure able to control. I stayed alone more than once while he was off checking the store or doing the papers etc and i felt fine. On the streets and in the coffeess i felt fine but of course i was not off waunderng around alone. I would have felt ok to go to the store alone, if u were to be there a extended time of course you would want to know the language no reason you wouldnt just to stay in touch with your surroundings. If i was to go there to live his family would be soooooooo glad and they would do everything they could to make my stay nice, they already built and (american bathroom) they say its for when i return. They didnt need this but they did so i would be more comfortable when i can visit. His friends, people on the street i never found anything but kind and helpful and i only saw a drunk one time on the streets.

[rosalindaca 0]

moroccan peaple are very nice

and morocco is a very nice city

you can live together in morocoo whith no problems but you have to choise the city...

ie the big city like marrakech casablanca agadir................

and you know that marrakech and agadir and casablanca are touristiques cities and a lot of forein people live there like

peaple from spain usa france and pecialy on marrakech and agadir

so you can find a work very eisy

[ginny20 0]

I've lived in Morocco for the last 2.5 years and have felt very safe-much safer than I do living in Chicago. I have felt very little judgement or harassment about being American-most people are sympathetic to the fact that although the government is bad, the American people are not necessarily responsible. Morocco is not a democracy and the idea that people are responsible for government isn't common. I get hassled more in France for being American than I do here.

The most judgement I have felt is from upper class people, but I feel like there is an envy that runs deep in the upper class here (especially in Fez where I live), and isn't necessarily due to politics. Envy is a big problem in Morocco in general, but I've only felt it directed towards me with the upper class. People in the supposedly 'dangerous' working class neighborhoods and countryside where I have worked have been extremely kind and open-minded in terms of talking about politics--even, for example, when Sadam Hussein was hanged on the Eid lKbeer and the video was replayed over and over again on Al Jazeera. I find Moroccans to be very flexible, in general, and not terribly ideological. Depends on the person, though, of course.

I feel completely safe doing things on my own, walking by myself, etc., in most of the major cities except sometimes at night. The most harassed I have felt on the street is in major tourist areas (old city of Fes, Essouaria, etc.), but if you dress and act appropriately it's fine.

It is true that PDAs are completely unacceptable here, although holding hands seems to be fine. I think after you spend a few months here, though, you adapt to this and it feels odd to engage in that kind of behavior. A lot of people seem to have that idea that if something happens to a Westerner, the person in charge could be severely punished, but I've never actually heard of this happening. My fiance certainly is not concerned about this. I think there was a case of a member on this forum whose American wife died in Morocco and nothing happened to him. It seems to me to be more of an urban myth.

This is not to say that living in Morocco is easy--especially if you don't speak the language. I was unhappy for the first 9 months I was here, but as my language and connection to people improved, so did my experience. I also have major career goals that my experience here will help me to attain, which was highly motivating. Struggling with the difficulties in doing day-to-day things is very taxing, though. Life also feels a lot more boring here--there isn't much of a public culture and people tend to stay home a lot. Even in Casablanca, it feels like there isn't much to do coming from a big American or European city. It's been an amazing and intense experience here, but I am happy to be returning soon to the States.

[caybee 21]

I've lived in Morocco for the last 2.5 years and have felt very safe-much safer than I do living in Chicago. I have felt very little judgement or harassment about being American-most people are sympathetic to the fact that although the government is bad, the American people are not necessarily responsible. Morocco is not a democracy and the idea that people are responsible for government isn't common. I get hassled more in France for being American than I do here.

The most judgement I have felt is from upper class people, but I feel like there is an envy that runs deep in the upper class here (especially in Fez where I live), and isn't necessarily due to politics. Envy is a big problem in Morocco in general, but I've only felt it directed towards me with the upper class. People in the supposedly 'dangerous' working class neighborhoods and countryside where I have worked have been extremely kind and open-minded in terms of talking about politics--even, for example, when Sadam Hussein was hanged on the Eid lKbeer and the video was replayed over and over again on Al Jazeera. I find Moroccans to be very flexible, in general, and not terribly ideological. Depends on the person, though, of course.

I feel completely safe doing things on my own, walking by myself, etc., in most of the major cities except sometimes at night. The most harassed I have felt on the street is in major tourist areas (old city of Fes, Essouaria, etc.), but if you dress and act appropriately it's fine.

It is true that PDAs are completely unacceptable here, although holding hands seems to be fine. I think after you spend a few months here, though, you adapt to this and it feels odd to engage in that kind of behavior. A lot of people seem to have that idea that if something happens to a Westerner, the person in charge could be severely punished, but I've never actually heard of this happening. My fiance certainly is not concerned about this. I think there was a case of a member on this forum whose American wife died in Morocco and nothing happened to him. It seems to me to be more of an urban myth.

This is not to say that living in Morocco is easy--especially if you don't speak the language. I was unhappy for the first 9 months I was here, but as my language and connection to people improved, so did my experience. I also have major career goals that my experience here will help me to attain, which was highly motivating. Struggling with the difficulties in doing day-to-day things is very taxing, though. Life also feels a lot more boring here--there isn't much of a public culture and people tend to stay home a lot. Even in Casablanca, it feels like there isn't much to do coming from a big American or European city. It's been an amazing and intense experience here, but I am happy to be returning soon to the States.

Great post from one who's done it. You answered some of my own questions. Thank you.

[star_dragon 0]

That was a great post ginny....and as she said, I've felt more anti-American sentiment in other countries (in Europe) than I ever did in Morocco. Then again, as clatita mentioned, I was in Marrakech where there are many foreigners there (from the UK, America and other parts of Europe) who have made Marrakech their home.

[Muh and me 18]

At times in Morocco, I felt nervous about my surroundings. But didn't ever feel not safe. I can't wait til we retire and move there for good! I think its hogwash about what your hubby said about how moroccans feel about americans! Just my opionion!

[nunyab 0]

Ginny great information... i agree i rather be in Morocco in hijab then parts of EU or even the U.S. (in places) for obvious reasons.... awwww guys now i am missing casa booohoooo good for me i have plans on returning soon insha'allah but only for a couple of weeks

[star_dragon 0]

Another thing too, not that it's really relevant, but when I did speak English to people, they always asked "So how is England?" Even with my very American accent And I would say "I'm not English, I'm American" and they would say "OH!!" and laugh. but no biggie. No wierd face like "damn you!!" Also, I don't wear a hijab. And when we'd be out and about, many times people would just start talking to me in Arabic, assuming I knew it. Even though I obviously do NOT look Moroccan.

[chaishai 1]

Just my two cents - I went to morocco on business and walked around a bit alone, etc and I felt completely comfortable. (I am a woman)

[caybee 21]

Another thing too, not that it's really relevant, but when I did speak English to people, they always asked "So how is England?" Even with my very American accent And I would say "I'm not English, I'm American" and they would say "OH!!" and laugh. but no biggie. No wierd face like "damn you!!" Also, I don't wear a hijab. And when we'd be out and about, many times people would just start talking to me in Arabic, assuming I knew it. Even though I obviously do NOT look Moroccan.

Hmmm...when I was there, an old woman spoke French to my husband, thinking he was a tourist himself.

[sereia 0]

I've lived in Morocco for the last 2.5 years and have felt very safe-much safer than I do living in Chicago. I have felt very little judgement or harassment about being American-most people are sympathetic to the fact that although the government is bad, the American people are not necessarily responsible. Morocco is not a democracy and the idea that people are responsible for government isn't common. I get hassled more in France for being American than I do here.

The most judgement I have felt is from upper class people, but I feel like there is an envy that runs deep in the upper class here (especially in Fez where I live), and isn't necessarily due to politics. Envy is a big problem in Morocco in general, but I've only felt it directed towards me with the upper class. People in the supposedly 'dangerous' working class neighborhoods and countryside where I have worked have been extremely kind and open-minded in terms of talking about politics--even, for example, when Sadam Hussein was hanged on the Eid lKbeer and the video was replayed over and over again on Al Jazeera. I find Moroccans to be very flexible, in general, and not terribly ideological. Depends on the person, though, of course.

I feel completely safe doing things on my own, walking by myself, etc., in most of the major cities except sometimes at night. The most harassed I have felt on the street is in major tourist areas (old city of Fes, Essouaria, etc.), but if you dress and act appropriately it's fine.

It is true that PDAs are completely unacceptable here, although holding hands seems to be fine. I think after you spend a few months here, though, you adapt to this and it feels odd to engage in that kind of behavior. A lot of people seem to have that idea that if something happens to a Westerner, the person in charge could be severely punished, but I've never actually heard of this happening. My fiance certainly is not concerned about this. I think there was a case of a member on this forum whose American wife died in Morocco and nothing happened to him. It seems to me to be more of an urban myth.

This is not to say that living in Morocco is easy--especially if you don't speak the language. I was unhappy for the first 9 months I was here, but as my language and connection to people improved, so did my experience. I also have major career goals that my experience here will help me to attain, which was highly motivating. Struggling with the difficulties in doing day-to-day things is very taxing, though. Life also feels a lot more boring here--there isn't much of a public culture and people tend to stay home a lot. Even in Casablanca, it feels like there isn't much to do coming from a big American or European city. It's been an amazing and intense experience here, but I am happy to be returning soon to the States.

I would have to agree with Ginny on most of her points. I have spent a lot of time in Morocco, before and after I met my husband and I didn't feel any less safe than any large US city except for certain areas at night, like she said. In the medina of Fes I felt uncomfortable at night walking down that big hill towards our house when it was deserted, the shops are closed, and only some random creepy men were standing there whispering things and sometimes following close by. My friend owns a riad there and was attacked once at night. That being said, we were tourists and up late at concerts/dinner and if I lived there, I wouldn't want to walk alone there at night. Other than that, I felt TOTALLY safe in Fes and was welcomed with open arms. Would you want to walk alone in certain areas of LA, NYC, Chicago, Boston, Miami at night alone?

I was also there during Sadaam's hanging and my in law's were happy it was happening. hehe

The only major thing I would say about walking alone, day or night, is that there are men who stare and comment to you constantly. It can get very annoying (especially if you understand what they're saying to you!) but over time I grew a thick skin and learned to ignore the comments. They even happened when I was with my husband so it really didn't matter if he was holding my hand or not.

Pick pocketing/purse snatching is common in Casablanca. And shopping alone can be a hassle. The second they notice you aren't Moroccan the price goes uppppppp. lol So many shop keepers have told my husband if he hadn't been with me the price would have been way more than double.

PDAs are not acceptable but we've held hands everywhere we went (not just crossing streets) and never had issues. One time on a train I was lying against my husband and the man came in and demanded our passports. He and my husband were arguing out in the hall, came back, and nothing happened.

Gotta agree about the language...brush on that Arabic and things would be MUCH easier! If you had a computer, satellite tv, and were in language school, you'd be good to go!

Edited October 28, 2008 by sereia

[MrsAmera 41]

Funny!

When my husband went alone after living here for like 2 years people thought he was Indian!!! When we go together people always think I'm Arab and talk to me in Arabic (I do wear hijab) and never guess that he's not Indian. Here in the states, people think he's Iranian or Mexican (happens less often now that we moved to a big city).

The times that I have been in Morocco and lived there (2 months). I never really felt threatened. There were situations that I was uncomfortable in, and didn't go out too much alone. However I did get a taxi and get to my MIL's house solo with my son!! I think that when we do move there, the language hurdle will be a big step towards independence. My husband is from Marrakech and there are a lot of expats from Europe and the US living there with very few issues so I don't foresee any problems.

One thing I will point out is that in some especially residential areas there is a rising conservative movement. I really noticed it in Marrakech this past March. There are Islamists in Morocco and of course there is the chance that you may be met by hostility from those people, but that is the same no matter where you live, and whatever their beliefs are. The Moroccan government does not support these movements and is actively involved in anti-terrorism efforts, they are one of the US allies in fighting terrorism (I won't get into the morality of any of that!). Just something to consider.