King announces new strategy to shield Morocco against terrorism
Morocco, Politics, 5/1/2004

Morocco's King Mohammed VI of Morocco on Friday announced a three-part plan designed to overhaul and revamp the domain of religious affairs in order to "shield Morocco against the perils of extremism and terrorism."

In a speech before members of the Higher Council and Provincial Councils of Ulemas (Scholars), at the royal palace in Casablanca, the king said this "comprehensive, multi-faceted and integrated strategy" is meant to "preserve the distinctive Moroccan identity, which is characterized by moderation and tolerance."

The institutional aspect of this strategy, he explained, involves the restructuring of the Ministry for waqf and religious affairs. To this end, the King promulgated a Dahir (Royal decree) setting up two directorates, one for traditional education, and the other in charge of mosques.

Legislation on places of worship will also be reconsidered to ensure that "architectural requirements are complied with and that acts of worship are performed in a quiet, peaceful atmosphere," the sovereign said adding that, at the same time, the aim is to ascertain that places of worship are financed in a transparent, legal and sustainable manner.

Eager to "shield the domain of religion from the influence of some intruders acting outside the legal institutional framework," the monarch asked the Higher Council of Ulema to submit to him, in his capacity of "Amir al Muminin" (Commander of the Faithfull) and President of the Council, Fatwas (religious ruling) "on events and matters with religious implications, lest others resort to expedient ploys or seek to spread confusion and chaos."

King Mohammed VI also insisted in his speech on the supervisory role assigned to this body that will remain, according to him, purely formal in the absence of a "third pillar, a fundamental one, namely sound Islamic education and modern scientific training.

The king vowed to remain "at the forefront of the struggle against all destructive currents that are alien to our society, which remains unwaveringly committed to the moderation and purity of Islam."

"This commitment applies to all Moroccans, including my loyal subjects who live abroad," he insisted.

The new Ulema Councils, he said, will be composed of learned persons known for their loyalty to the sacred institutions of the nation as well as for their erudition as religious scholars and their open-minded attitude to modern times.

The king urged their members to listen to the citizens, especially young people, and to protect their faith and minds against those who have strayed and those who distort the truth.

"I also want the membership of these Councils to include women well-versed in religious matters. We would thus be doing justice to women and treating them on an equal footing with men."

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan official stresses democracy is remedy to terrorism   (4/23/2004)
  No incompatibility between Islam and democracy, Says Moroccan Islamic party chief   (4/15/2004)
  Islamic party committed to democracy, vows new chief   (4/13/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search