Islamic affairs minister briefs king on activities of Ulema Councils
Morocco-Regional, Religion, 4/22/2005

Moroccan minister of Habous (Islamic endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, presented in Meknes on Wednesday to King Mohammed VI the annual report on the activities of the councils of Ulema (Islamic theologians).

The report was presented to the sovereign, Amir Al Muminine (commander of the faithful) during a religious ceremony held on the eve of Aid Al Mawlid (prophet's birthday) held at the Sidi Mohamed Al Hadi Benaissa mausoleum in Meknes (150 km north east of Rabat).

Toufiq stressed that the year 2004 was a transition period in the life of the Ulema councils, as new legal and orientation bases were set forth for the institution.

He went on that the higher Ulema council, which supervises all the provincial councils, has developed its own rules of procedure and those of the body in charge of the Fatwa (religious edicts). The body in charge of fatwas was created to put an end to the anarchy that used to prevail in religious opinions.

Throughout the year, the councils have organized thousands of training and orientation sessions for preachers, predicators and muezzins both in rural and urban areas, the report says adding that other initiatives conducted in universities, professional organization, orphanages, prisons and public and private institutions include development issues, such as the fight against illiteracy, family and childhood promotion.

The minister insisted that in addition to opening up unto various actors of the Moroccan society, the Ulema are henceforth being very vigilant as regards the need to preserve the national conscience in matters of faith and attachment to the Malekite rite.

The Ulema institution's discourse also illustrates political patriot awareness and takes into account modern management novelties in justice and civil freedoms, said the minister underlining that Ulemas are fully aware of the challenges facing Morocco and requiring that Islamic theologians play a leading part and strictly abide by the major religious principles.

He explained that this approach is consistent with the sovereign's aspirations for a Moroccan model where the Ulema fulfil their mission and proclaim their attachment to the institution of Amir Al-Muminine while discharging their religious predication duty in mosques, conferences and in the media, citing in this regard the precious opportunity offered by the newly-set up Mohammed VI Koranic radio, for Ulema to contribute to creating an atmosphere where faith becomes a source of general mobilization and of moral ethics preservation.

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