Following the recent case of a minor's gang rape during the Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival in El Jadida, the Doukkala Network of Non-Governmental Associations has urged the Ministry of Interior to urgently ban overnight stays in tents at festival sites across the region. The network warned that this practice has become a «breeding ground for moral corruption, the exploitation of children and minors, and the spread of prostitution in all its forms», while also contributing to «fatal traffic accidents caused by overcrowding and chaos, as well as theft and violence». In a statement released after its monthly meeting, the network, which brings together dozens of associations, stressed that the uncontrolled spread of thousands of makeshift tents in and around festival grounds, sometimes lasting more than 13 days, endangers residents and visitors alike. It argued that these practices damage the environment, tarnish the region's reputation at home and abroad, and lead each year to widely reported scandals and violent incidents. While commending local and security authorities for their efforts to maintain order, the network held organizers and responsible parties accountable for «the absence of regulatory oversight and the failure to guarantee proper safety and protection measures». It called for a thorough overhaul of how such events are organized, ensuring respect for human dignity and preservation of the region's identity. The statement concluded with a call to properly structure the Moulay Abdellah Amghar festival, one of Morocco's oldest cultural traditions, so that it reflects an authentic image of Moroccan culture, free from chaos and moral decline.
