Think Forward.

Maladie cœliaque, une maladie caméléon à large spectre clinique 1577

Dr Moussayer khadija, 2 y.
- Science - Health -
3.4 min read.
La maladie cœliaque ou intolérance au gluten est une pathologie chronique, qui touche les intestins, suite à l'ingestion de gluten. Le diagnostic de ce trouble est souvent difficile et tardif : avec des caractéristiques très variés, la pathologie est souvent comparée à un véritable caméléon clinique ! Il n'existe toujours pas de traitement curatif et sa seule résolution réside dans l'exclusion de tout gluten de l'alimentation générale. Cette affection fait partie des maladies auto-immunes, qui regroupent un ensemble de maladies - près d’une centaine - dues à une attaque de notre système immunitaire contre des éléments de notre organisme : un processus d’auto-destruction en quelque somme ! Dans le cas de la maladie cœliaque, il s'agit plus précisément d'une intolérance (et non d'une allergie) à un composant du gluten, la gliadine (ensemble de protéines constituant les farines de certaines céréales, dont le blé, le seigle, l'orge, l'avoine). Le malade présente à la base une prédisposition génétique de type HLA et son organisme va produire des anticorps qui vont attaquer la muqueuse des villosités intestinales. Passons donc en revue ce qu’est la maladie et les actions de l 'ASSOCIATION MAROCAINE DES INTOLERANTS ET ALLERGIQUES AU GLUTEN (AMIAG) qui oeuvre au Maroc pour sensibiliser la population à ce trouble. QUE SAVOIR SUR LA MALADIE COELIAQUE ? La maladie cœliaque (MC) est donc une maladie auto-immune, plutôt féminine, où le système immunitaire attaque la paroi de l’intestin grêle induisant des dommages et des troubles très divers dans l’absorption du fer, du calcium, et des vitamines et de multiples autres complications. DES MANIFESTATIONS PEU CLAIRES ET DEROUTANTES Elle est difficile à diagnostiquer à cause de ses multiples manifestations. D’une affection de nourrissons et d’enfants en bas âge et dont les signes typiques se limitent à l’appareil digestif (diarrhées, vomissements, état irritable, cassure de la croissance), la maladie cœliaque est devenue ces dernières décennies une pathologie de l’adolescent et de l’adulte et dont les manifestations sont très étendues. Des douleurs articulaires, une ostéoporose, des anémies, des fausses couches à répétition, des aphtes buccaux, une dermatite ou même encore des maux de tête, une fatigue chronique, une anxiété, une dépression …constituent le large spectre clinique de la maladie. Elle peut d’ailleurs rester plus ou moins « silencieuse » pendant des années tout en poursuivant un travail de destruction sur l’intestin et d’autres organes. UN MAL SOUS-DIAGNOSTIQUE De ce fait, la maladie cœliaque chez l’adulte est bien souvent découverte au stade de complications. On estime souvent d’ailleurs que le délai de sa mise en évidence est de 13 ans et que, pour chaque cas détecté, en particulier chez l’adulte, 8 resteraient ignorés. Le diagnostic de la maladie cœliaque repose sur la recherche de substances particulières, responsables d’attaques sur l’organisme et appelées auto-anticorps (les anti-transglutaminases) et sur la découverte d’une atrophie des replis de la paroi intestinale (les villosités) après la réalisation d’une biopsie duodénale. Les complications de la maladie cœliaque peuvent entraîner des cancers intestinaux, de l'œsophage, des lymphomes, ulcères intestinaux, ou ostéoporose. UN REGIME CONTRAIGNANT ET COÜTEUX L’application de ce régime contraignant demeure toujours difficile en temps ordinaire du fait de l’absence d’un étiquetage obligatoire sur la présence du gluten dans certains pays comme le Maroc (à la différence de la France), alors que ce nutriment est présent dans la plupart de produits très divers (pain, farines, pâtisserie, pâtes, charcuterie…) et souvent insoupçonnés (médicaments, rouge à lèvres, dentifrice, colle, bonbons, sauce à salade, plats cuisinés…) L’ASSOCIATION MAROCAINE DES INTOLERANTS ET ALLERGIQUES AU GLUTEN (AMIAG) Fondée en 2013, l’AMIAG a su s’imposer rapidement comme l’association nationale de référence pour la maladie cœliaque au Maroc et est reconnue comme telle par ses partenaires à l’étranger. Comptant près de 1 000 adhérents, elle a mis en place ou organise : - la journée nationale de la maladie cœliaque chaque année en mai, avec des conférences pour les malades ; - des ateliers culinaires mensuels (couronnés épisodiquement de concours de cuisine festifs) animés en particulier par le Dr Maria Chentouf, une des meilleures cheffes cuisinières en recettes sans gluten ; - une grande fête annuelle pour les enfants cœliaques (mélangeant à la fois un spectacle, de la musique, des jeux et des conférences médicales) ; - des conférences scientifiques avec des experts nationaux et internationaux, en particulier lors d’événements des professionnels de santé (comme Officine Expo) ; - des aides alimentaires et des dons de moulins à céréales aux familles les plus pauvres, grâce au concours d’autres associations caritatives et de sponsors divers, lors des manifestations énumérés précédemment. Enfin dernier succès et pas le moindre, L’Institut Marocain de Normalisation « IMANOR » et l’Association Marocaine des Intolérants et Allergiques au Gluten ont établi en 2023 un partenariat visant à promouvoir les produits alimentaires sans gluten sur le marché marocain, à travers la mise en place d’un label national « Sans Gluten ». Les règles fixant les critères et modalités d’attribution de ce Label ont été élaborées en concertation avec l’AMIAG et autres parties prenantes. Enfin, l'AMIAG organise une journée de sensibilisation à la maladie cœliaque le 10 février 2024 Cette journée sous le thème de " La Maladie Cœliaque & son Régime Sans Gluten à vie " se tiendra au Théâtre du Complexe Culturel Sidi Belyout – Casablanca. L’AMIAG profitera de cette journée également pour organiser avec ses adhérents son Assemblée Générale Ordinaire. Dr Khadija Moussayer Présidente de l’association marocaine des maladies auto-immunes et systémiques (AMMAIS), Vice-présidente de l’AMIAG OVERVIEW Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide, but only about 30% are properly diagnosed. The first and most important step in treating celiac disease is to stop eating gluten. The Moroccan association of those intolerant and allergic to Gluten (AMIAG), chaired by Jamila Cherif Idrissi , was created by civil society people and members of the medical and paramedical corps with the aim of informing and raising awareness to the population to these pathologies as well as the unification of the efforts and the assistance to lend to the people suffering from it
Dr Moussayer khadija

Dr Moussayer khadija

Dr MOUSSAYER KHADIJA الدكتورة خديجة موسيار Spécialiste en médecine interne et en Gériatrie en libéral à Casablanca. Présidente de l’Alliance Maladies Rares Maroc (AMRM) et de l’association marocaine des maladies auto-immunes et systémiques (AMMAIS), Vice-présidente du Groupe de l’Auto-Immunité Marocain (GEAIM)


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N’Djamena-Kousséri Half Marathon: A Message for the UN and Everyone Working for Peace in the World 176

Aziz Daouda, 22 h.
Next September, more precisely on the 6th, an exceptional half marathon race will bring together the people of Kousséri, Cameroon, and N'Djamena, the capital of Chad. The athletes will start in front of the N’Djamena city hall and head towards Kousséri’s town hall, crossing the border between the two countries without any customs checkpoint or stop. On the contrary, authorities from both countries are collaborating to ensure that runners are supervised and secured on both sides under the best possible conditions. This will already be the third edition of this unprecedented race. This sporting event, largely sponsored by the African Athletics Confederation, goes beyond simple competition: it embodies a powerful symbol of rapprochement and reunification of the peoples of Central Africa, highlighting the deep human dimension of such an initiative. Indeed, the populations on both sides of the border share so much in common that this administrative boundary, a colonial legacy, cannot separate them. The strength of sport as a vector of unity is a slogan and a value we repeat on every occasion. But how many sporting events can truly embody it on the same scale as this unique race in the world? Sport, by its universal nature, has the rare power to transcend cultural, political, and social barriers. But here, this is the only sporting event where it transcends borders. In the border region between Cameroon and Chad, it is actually one and the same people who live here. Circumstances have made them two populations belonging to two different countries. On both sides of the border, people share history, traditions, and common challenges. In this context, which is not unique to this central African region, this half marathon represents far more than a simple endurance challenge. It is a bridge between communities often separated by artificial borders inherited from the colonial past. Running together, across spaces that connect these two neighboring cities, symbolizes the will to overcome historical divisions. Every step is an invitation to solidarity, mutual understanding, and the celebration of shared values such as respect, brotherhood, and peace. Kousséri and N'Djamena, though geographically close, have often been distanced by political tensions or administrative differences. But on the ground, in the heart of this race, the differences fade away. Runners, whether amateurs or professionals, from here or abroad since the race is international, share the same goal: moving forward together. This sporting initiative also allows the meeting of communities, families, youth, local leaders, and institutional actors from both countries. It encourages cultural, economic, and social exchanges, paving the way for more sustainable partnerships and regional stability. Here is a genuine message of hope for peace and reconciliation that the UN should hold up as an example, especially in the face of those who waste fortunes on endless conflicts. Examples are abundant... The Kousséri-N'Djamena half marathon sends a clear and inspiring message: despite borders and differences, it is possible to build human bridges, consolidate lasting peace based on mutual understanding and cooperation. In a world where ethnic and political conflicts often divide peoples, these moments of sporting gathering illustrate the power of dialogue and reconciliation. They express deep humanism, where each step taken on the ground is a step toward fraternization, toward rapprochement, toward a shared future. Beyond athletic performance, the half marathon between Kousséri and N'Djamena on September 6th is a true celebration of human unity. By bringing together peoples with close origins yet sometimes divided, it invites reflection on our ability to overcome the borders that separate us to prioritize what should unite us: brotherhood, peace, and hope for a better world. **The Human Dimension of Rapprochement and Reunification of Peoples finds a true embodiment in the N’Djamena-Kousséri Half Marathon, Bridge of Hope.** For those who understand, greetings.

Ley Lines: The Invisible Currents of Earth’s Sacred Geometry 340

Tupan, 3 d.
The concept of ley lines suggest the existence of invisible pathways of energy that crisscross the Earth, forming a network of subtle energy, ancient alignment, and spiritual resonance. Though the term “ley line” was first coined in 1921 by the English antiquarian Alfred Watkins (1855-1935)—who noticed that many ancient sites in the British landscape aligned along straight tracks—the concept is even older, echoing geomantic traditions across cultures that recognized the Earth as a living, breathing being with its own circulatory system of sacred force. Basically, ley lines are believed to be channels of Earth's energy—similar to meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)—which connect sites of spiritual, astronomical, and historical significance. These may include standing stones, megalithic temples, pyramids, cathedrals, burial mounds, and crossroads. In the East, these currents are known as dragon lines or "lung mei" in Chinese geomancy (feng shui), while in South America, the Inca referred to similar energetic pathways as "ceques", radiating outward from the Coricancha Temple in Cusco. From an esoteric standpoint, ley lines are neither arbitrary nor merely symbolic. They are understood to follow the electromagnetic shape of the planet—interacting with telluric currents, magnetic anomalies, and planetary grid systems. At certain points where multiple ley lines intersect, energy becomes concentrated, forming what are known as power nodes or vortex points. These nodes are believed to amplify consciousness, enhance ritual, facilitate spiritual contact, and sometimes thin the veil between the seen and unseen worlds. Places such as Stonehenge, the Giza Plateau, Machu Picchu, Glastonbury Tor, and Mount Shasta are frequently cited as residing on these potent intersections. Mystically, ley lines represent more than geological curiosity—they are conduits of planetary consciousness, arteries of Gaia herself. In Hermetic and occult traditions, the Earth is viewed as a macrocosmic body, complete with chakras, nadis, and energetic organs. Just as the human body channels prana through subtle pathways, so too does the Earth transmit vital energy through her leys. To walk these lines consciously, or to work magically upon them, is to participate in the planet’s own alchemical process—aligning human intention with terrestrial intelligence. In this context, the concept of ley lines resonates with the Gaia Theory, proposed by James Lovelock (1919–2022) and Lynn Margulis (1938–2011). This theory pictures Earth as a self-regulating, living system in which the biosphere, atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere are deeply interconnected. Just as Gaia Theory suggests that the planet maintains balance through feedback loops, ley lines can be seen as subtle energetic channels through which this regulation occurs. From an esoteric perspective, these currents mirror Gaia’s own physiological processes—arteries circulating life-force and sustaining the interdependence of all beings within the planetary organism. Many practitioners of geomancy, dowsing, and ritual magick believe that ley lines can be activated or aligned through offerings, ceremonies, sound, and sacred architecture. Temples and churches built upon these lines often reflect celestial alignments, forming a harmony between heaven and earth. Some traditions hold that ancient initiates placed monuments at ley crossings not merely as markers, but as resonant structures designed to stabilize or modulate the flow of planetary energy. There is also a mythical and cosmological layer to ley line theory. In Arthurian legends, Glastonbury is not only a place on a map but a threshold to Avalon—an invisible world accessible through altered states or alignment with the land’s living current. In this way, ley lines serve as the nervous system of a planetary intelligence, a kind of spiritual cartography through which initiates navigate both terrestrial and cosmic realities. Though scientific consensus does not validate ley lines as measurable phenomena, their enduring presence in sacred geography, myth, and ritual suggests they function on a level beyond conventional empiricism. They invite the sensitive and the intuitive to perceive the Earth not as inert matter, but as a divine organism—alive, aware, and in communion with those who learn to walk her lines in reverence.

Legislative Elections 2026 in Morocco: A Democratic Challenge Driven by Royal Initiative 451

Aziz Daouda, 4 d.
- Politics - Society -
3 min read.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has officially tasked the Ministry of the Interior with preparing the 2026 legislative elections. This decision, announced in the 26th Throne Speech, represents both a solemn directive and a particular vote of confidence in the ministry. By the end of the year, the ministry is expected to have finalized the legal and organizational framework for the election. Following this, Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit convened the main political parties for inclusive consultations aiming to guarantee a "model," transparent, and credible election, in accordance with royal instructions. This approach reflects a clear desire to strengthen the organization of elections by removing them from the direct influence of the government, particularly its head, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, who is also president of the RNI party. This party is seen as having significant influence over the electoral process. Entrusting this mission to the Ministry of the Interior, recognized for its role as an institutional arbiter, aims to limit direct political interference and prevent any attempt to capture the vote by certain actors in power. During the meeting, the minister emphasized the necessity for the elections to be "exemplary" and suggested that significant effort would be made to meet democratic and institutional expectations—implying that everything will be done to strictly implement the royal will, while distancing from all political factions. A new electoral code specific to the House of Representatives is therefore being prepared, with an adoption planned before the end of 2025. The ongoing reflections and discussions address several key areas: updating or simplifying voter lists, with reliance solely on identity cards to identify voters; the moralization and regulation of campaign financing through stronger control, possibly including caps on candidate and party spending. Better transparency and a review of electoral districts based on the latest census are also on the agenda. The issue of the number of polling stations—which exceeded 40,000 in the last election—should also be discussed, as well as the representation of approximately 6 million Moroccans living abroad. The current voting system, based on proportional representation by lists, could also be reconsidered to address shortcomings observed in 2021, particularly the tendency to favor "kingmakers" of deputies and local clientelism, often fueled by money. Within the political sphere, there is rather a radio silence. The impression is that political parties are either indifferent or strategically cautious. The debate and torrent of ideas are thus taking place among commentators and other writers. There is a shared feeling that things must change if political life is to regain meaning. This is what His Majesty desires. The introduction of a two-round single-member district voting system is one frequently cited idea as a possible way to reduce the influence of money and traditional networks of power. This voting method, never experimented with in Morocco, would favor a vote focused more on individuals than on party lists, thus strengthening democracy through better citizen mobilization and greater representativeness. So far, citizens have often been surprised by unnatural alliances formed after the vote, leaving voters without control over the final configuration. The two-round system has the advantage that any negotiation or alliance between parties occurs between the two rounds, at a time when citizens can still intervene by casting a second vote. This profound electoral reform could respond to a major challenge: citizens' disenchantment with politics, shown by high abstention rates, fueled by perceptions of insufficient renewal, party inefficiency, and therefore of elected bodies. To succeed, reform must go hand in hand with efforts by parties to renew their approaches, attract youth seeking alternatives, and rekindle popular interest in voting. Moroccan political parties have historically had an ambiguous relationship with voters beyond their traditional bases. They even seem to discourage mass participation in the electoral process, fearing that their often small membership, relative to the statutory electorate, would be diluted. The PJD came to power with only 1.3 million votes, about one-tenth of potential voters. Some parties hold parliamentary groups despite having obtained only around 200,000 votes or less. Parties are sometimes seen as unrepresentative and tainted by corruption accusations. However, they have a pragmatic interest in mobilizing their core voters to retain their political weight and public funding. The prospects for a dynamic electoral campaign today appear limited by a certain apathy among political actors, hindering the expected democratic momentum. Regarding the two-round single-member vote, although it might structure the political landscape around two major poles and encourage clearer alliances, it alone cannot neutralize the influence of money, networks tied to local leaders, or clientelism. This system could even exacerbate artificial polarization, marginalize smaller parties, and allow hidden alliances between major parties, harming transparency and democratic legitimacy. Risks also remain concerning lower participation between rounds and the complexity of changing voter opinions, potentially opening the door to strategic manipulations. Thus, complementary reforms are essential, notably in campaign finance transparency, the moralization of the electoral process, and control over local clientelism, to guarantee fairer and more credible political competition. The royal decision to entrust the Ministry of the Interior with election management, inclusive dialogue with parties, and the declared will to moralize the process demonstrate a strong ambition for profound reform toward a fairer, more equitable, and trustworthy election. The voting system remains central to the debate, but the success of the 2026 legislative elections will also depend on the ability to reinvent an electoral and political system capable of mobilizing citizens and establishing trust in Moroccan democracy. Citizens are also called upon to embrace greater honesty and responsibility.