
Larache, Morocco – June 6th, 2020: Pasha, center, overseeing the implementation of the strict lockdown imposed by Moroccan government in the early months of Covid-19. authority agent (Caïd), right, auxiliary forces Chief, left. Three members of the auxiliary forces, background, left making sure no person sneaks to the water through the rocks.
×
Larache, Morocco – April 24th, 2020: my father desinfecting his shoes as he comes from a factory with multiple confirmed Covid-19 cases.
×
Larache, Morocco – May 19th, 2020: my father taking a quick breath as he brings groceries home, before heading back to work.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 7th, 2020: family having lunch. My mother and siblings refused that my father would eat at a seperate table, as part of his distancing to protect everyone from the possibility of getting the virus. An alternative was to distance ourselves from him at the table.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 19th, 2020: a photo of my father greeting the king, Mohamed 6, for the first time in 1998. The right lowerside of the frame shows my father's shoulder, who's preparing to leave for work.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 09th, 2020: a private route leading to the city port. A boat with a the first confirmed case of Covid-19 among fishermen called for swift control of the situation, as it created anexity among all relevant parties: fishermen, the public and authorities. Much of the local economy in Larache relies on the fishing sector, and halting these activities would have grave consequences on the community
×
Larache, Morocco – June 09th, 2020: a fishing boat being disinfected as one of its fishermen tested positive for COVID-19, at Larache Port. This boat had the first confirmed case of Corona Virus among fishermen, which called for swift control of the situation, as it created anxiety among all relevant parties: fishermen, the public and authorities. Much of the local economy in Larache relies on the fishing sector, and halting these activities would have grave consequences on the community.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 27th, 2020: a medical unit testing finshermen, for COVID-19, at Larache Port. The virus spread in the port, which made it challenging for fishermen who rely on the little income they get from their work, and also to boat owners that suffered from the great loss that comes from boats being static (engines of the boats get damaged if they stay in water unattended). At the same time, less fishermen working meant economic implications on the city, as much of the population relies on the fishing industry.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 17th, 2020: car door with disinfectant. The constant presence among Covid-19 positive cases called for a constant disinfection of everything that is touched.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 12th, 2020: auxiliary forces member lighting the stairs for the head of district. Shopping complexes were examined by authority agents to asses their suitability for re-opening, considering aspects like ventilation and potential crowdedness.
×
Larache, Morocco – April 04th, 2020: woman looking at the head of district. Morocco allowed adults only to leave their homes for necessities, in the earlier months of its lockdown, while minors were not allowed to be outside. the wearing of masks is mendatory in all parts of the city.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 20th, 2020: a second lockdown in Larache after loosening the measures led to protests by store owners. Follwoing the protest, authorities allowed the re-opening of the stores, starting the 21st of June.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 20th, 2020: head of district inofrming a man of the fragility of he building structure, as the man was staying inside a tiny shop (blue door in the middle). This is in addition to stricter Covid-19 measures require the re-closing of non-essential stores.
×
Larache, Morocco – May 20th, 2020: my father watering the plants as an escape from the Covid-19 work routine.
×
Larache, Morocco – May 18th, 2020: my father chose to isolate himself from the rest of the family since the first day of lockdown.
×
Larache, Morocco – June 15th, 2020: my father praying in the evening in the living room (his sleeping room at the time).
×
Larache, Morocco – June 18th, 2020: glasses, car key, gas coupon, and phone wrapped in plastic. Some of the essentials always ready after my father's lunch/dinner breaks at home.
×
Larache, Morocco – April 04th, 2020: my father taking a quick cop of tea before returing to work in the evening.
×
Larache, Morocco – April 23rd, 2020: the sky view from our home while walking my father to the door as he leaves for work.
×
Larache, Morocco – April 23rd, 2020: my father, a front-liner in the fight against Covid-19, leaving home for a nightshift. As an “authority agent”, to give a literal translation of the job title, my father is tasked with reassuring that the lockdown measures are followed by the different parties, and supervises activities like testings, and makes sure that infected individuals are in quarantine, after issuing a “confinement order”.
×Being under lockdown in Morocco gave birth to this personal project about my father.
As a state of emergency was announced in Morocco in late March 2020, authorities were mobilized to implement the measures. “Authority agents”—literal translation of the French “agents d'autorité”—are at the forefront of the “Covid-19 scene” in Morocco.
An authority agent is an administrative position particular to Morocco, and corresponds to government officials of varying ranks; notably: Caïd, Pasha (Head of District), Governor and Wāli. These officials report to the ministry of interior and exercise several administrative responsibilities. In the Covid-19 context, this includes ensuring the implantation of the measures, organizing and supervising Corona virus testing sessions, issuing quarantine orders, and monitoring movement/travel. Outside of that, their responsibilities involve various fields (e.g., political, social, economic, cultural, and ecological).
While Moroccans are well-accustomed to these ranks, given their role within Moroccan administration, they are only used to them in suits and ties. Authority agents walking the streets, in military uniforms, was a novelty to many in early 2020, in Morocco.
This project offers a rare perspective from the personal life of a Pasha, while shedding light on the general atmosphere resulting from the pandemic and lockdown.