Thousands of Jews from Morocco, Israel and other parts of the world have over the past week carried out an annual pilgrimage to the Islamic nation to honour celebrated rabbis.
Morocco may not be the likeliest of Jewish pilgrim destinations, but the north African nation has for centuries had a vibrant Jewish population and some 1,200 of the faith's pious ancestors are buried in cemeteries here.
In recent days, about 5,000 pilgrims have gathered to pray for peace at sanctuaries and gravesites.
Perhaps the most famous of these burial grounds is that of Amran Ben Diwan, a venerated rabbi who was interred 250 years ago in the mountains of Ouazzane, about 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the capital Rabat.
Cookbook author Paula Wolfert of Sonoma has won a James Beard Foundation Award for her latest book, “The Food of Morocco” (Ecco Press, 2011).
Morocco Religion is marked by tolerance towards all religious beliefs. Though Islam is the principal religion of the land, yet other religious sects derive equal treatment and respect which they expect and deserve. 
A perfect introduction to Moroccan history for the general reader. A challenge to scholars to reconsider Orientalism, without polemics.