Morocco Names Chief Rabbinical Court Master, Ending 100 Years of Vacancies In the Post

Arutz Sheva reports that the government of Morocco, on behalf of the country's King Mohammed VI, has appointed Rabbi Yoshiahu Pinto to the post of Supreme Chief Rabbinical Court Master. The post has been vacant for last 100 years. In his position, Pinto will head the Moroccan Jewish community's kosher food supervision and will adjudicate religious and customary issues for the country's 10,000 Jewish residents, as well as for the many Jewish visitors to the country.

Morocco Implementing Burqa Ban

According to UPI, in Morocco this week the government began to give notices to businesses that they must stop making and selling burqas. Government officials say the ban stems from instances in which criminals have used burqas to disguise themselves during robberies. Others however suggest that the ban of the head-to-toe garment is aimed at conservative Muslims in the country. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]

Moroccan King Asks Muslims and Jews To Pray For Rain

JTA reported this week that in Morocco as the country faces a possible drought, King Mohammed VI is covering all of his bases. He requested that prayers for rain be recited both in mosques, and synagogues in the country.  Last Friday Muslims prayed for rain, and on Saturday Jews in Moroccan synagogues did likewise in response to a statement from the Council of Israelite Communities in Morocco asking Jewish worshipers to pray so that God may "spare our country and help His Highness the King."