Morocco's Islamic party welcomes upgrading of religious realm
Morocco, Politics, 1/26/2005

Secretary General of the Party of Justice and Development (PJD- only authorized Islamic party in Morocco) affirmed that he appreciates the evolutions registered in Morocco with regard to upgrading the religious realm.

"We appreciate the different evolutions that have recently taken place in Morocco with regard to upgrading the religious realm because the kingdom truly needed a religious awakening after the gaps of the past, following the marginalization of the Islamic culture and the religious education," said Othmani in an interview published Tuesday by the UAE daily "Al Khalij."

PJD's Secretary General held the transition government responsible for the "marginalization of the Islamic culture." This is, he said, among the causes that led to the proliferation of religious extremism.

"We are currently witnessing reparation attempts that we welcome with satisfaction and we consider them a good initiative," he pointed out.

Othmani underscored in the interview the initiatives made by the Ministry of Habous (endowments) and Islamic affairs to innovate the religious realm, recalling attempts to bring younger staff to the council of Ulemas (religious scholars) as well as the creation of the "Koranic radio Mohammed VI."

"There is definitely a positive evolution in the transmission of religious messages, both at the level of institutions and the media," he pointed out.

The secretary general said it is crucial not to leave gaps in this realm, underlining that "it is not reasonable for Moroccans to seek fatwa (religious decrees) and religious advice in other countries as if Morocco did not have its own Ulemas and theologians."

"We have skilled thinkers. We should only put them in their right position," he noted.

For Othmani, "the Ministry of Habous, Ulemas councils and all other bodies concerned by the religious realm are well qualified to fulfil this mission."

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