Rabat – US First Lady Jill Biden is making the most of her ongoing visit to Morocco, meeting several high profile figures and exploring the red city of Marrakech.
On Sunday, Jill Biden was given several tours in different locations in Marrakech, including landmarks like the Ben Youssef Madrassa, a historic Islamic school founded in the 14th century in Marrakech.
Videos and pictures showing the first lady in comfort sneakers and a red dress went viral online.
Some of the visuals showed Biden’s wife enjoying the historical architecture inside the school, including Morocco’s zellij tilework.
The zellij is an artistic form of tilework reflecting Morocco’s originality and unique architectural designs.
US first lady Jill Biden toured Marrakech as part of her visit to Morocco.
Several videos and pictures show Jill Biden exploring the red city, its buildings, and uniqueness.
#US #JillBiden #Marrakech #Morocco.@FLOTUS pic.twitter.com/Qz3Hx2qUMb— Morocco World News (@MoroccoWNews) June 4, 2023
The visit also included a tour in the old medina of Marrakech, where Jill Biden witnessed the city’s unique shops, walls, and colors.
Moroccan tea is also itself an attraction. One of the pictures online also shows the US first lady enjoying Moroccan mint tea and Moroccan sweets and snacks, including fakia – which consists of dried fruits and nuts.
Jill Biden enjoying Morocco’s famous mint tea. Photo shared by Saad Abid.
During meetings with locals, association founders, and content creators, Jill Biden exchanged talks on a round of topics – particularly women empowerment and climate change.
The visits included a stop at Ennakhil Association, an NGO in Marrakech that supports women who have been victims of gender-based violence.
“Empowered women power our communities,” the US First Lady said on the NGO’s efforts. “The United States understands that and stands with women throughout the world.”
US First Lady Jill Biden delivering her speech
Jill Biden also expressed satisfaction with the US and Morocco’s long standing partnership, stressing the North African country’s efforts to encourage reforms to empower women and youth.
These efforts, under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, reflect shared US-Morocco priorities, she said.
Biden’s wife also received a unique Moroccan gift, reflecting the country’s heritage and tradition.
Women from the association offered the US First Lady a selham, a Moroccan traditional cape that people wear on the top of their jellabas and caftans.
US First Lady Jill Biden wearing a Moroccan traditional cape. Photo: MAP
Both men and women can wear the cape on different occasions, particularly religious and national celebrations.
Jill Biden arrived in Morocco on Saturday. Upon her arrival, Moroccan Princess Lalla Hassna welcomed the First Lady.
US First Lady and Morocco’s Princess Lalla Hassna
Following her meeting with the Moroccan Princess, Jill Biden took to her social networks to express gratitude to Morocco’s royal family – particularly King Mohammed VI – who she thanked for the warm welcome in Moroccan Darija.
“Your Majesty King Mohammed VI and Princess Lalla Hasna, thank you for the kind welcome to Morocco — it’s an honor to visit one of the United States’ oldest friends. Shukran bzaf!”she said.
Prior to her Morocco visit, Biden also visited Egypt.
A statement from the White House last week said the visit is part of a six-day trip to the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe, where she will focus on promoting women and youth empowerment.
