Introduction / History

There were not many Moroccans in the U.S.A. till the middle of the twentieth century. After the Second World War, some Shepardhic Jews from Morocco emigrated to the U.S.A. because of poverty in North Africa. Arab Moroccans did not arrive in greater numbers till the late 1970s.

In the last two decades of the twentieth century, many Moroccans came to the United States to go to universities, colleges and medical schools. Some Moroccans emigrated to America for work and began businesses with small retail shops and restaurants. They speak Moroccan Arabic, French, English and Spanish.

In the late 1990s, Morocco began having economic problems and more Moroccans came to America. They had good work skills. Most came to New York, New England, California, Texas and Columbia. They owned small businesses or went into professional work. By the end of the 1990s most Moroccans were present or former students. Some were mechanics and others taxi drivers.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many women work as well as doing house work. Some of them are teachers. The families are usually big ones.

There is a Moroccan American magazine called Tingis and it helps to build friendships with Morocco and the United States.

One of the favorite Moroccan foods in American supermarkets is called Couscous made from fine semolina. The Moroccans also like chicken with lemon and olives.

Moroccan Americans who are Muslims celebrate Ramadan for thirty days. They like the friendship it brings.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Moroccan Americans are Muslims and most of them Sunni Muslims. Men wear a Fez on their heads which is supposed to have come from the Moroccan city of the same name. Some women cover their faces with veils. The man is the main person in the family though Moroccan women have more freedom than most other Muslim women.

References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morrocan_American
www.everyculture.com/multi/le-pa/moroccan-american.html