Morocco announces will to reform religious affairs

Morocco on Wednesday announced will to review religious affairs within a comprehensive development project embracing political, cultural and doctrinal branches.

This came in a TV debate broadcast by Morocco's second TV channel 2M, with minister of Habous (endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Toufiq.

This new vision will be based on "our fundamental options," Taoufiq said, adding that Oulamas (Moslem scholars) will have an important role to play in this new approach.

According to the official, the suicide bombings that hit Casablanca last May 16 "are contradictory to Islam" which, like all other revealed religions, bans suicide as an inadmissible and unjustified act, especially in a society that systematically adopts dialogue.

These attacks were perpetrated by individuals, embracing ideas that nonchalantly accuse other people of being apostate and of heresy, he said, adding such an attitude shows ignorance of the supreme values of Islam.

It is crucial to understand the reasons behind indoctrinating the victims of these extremist ideas that harm culture and democracy through practices and behaviors that are alien to the Moroccan society, said Taoufiq. The persons who blew themselves are victims of such indoctrination, he added.

Toufiq urged Moroccans not to tolerate doctrinal ideas that are contradictory to the Moroccan society and not to turn mosques into places for doctrines' propaganda.

Religion should be handled based on an "in-depth understanding," he said, announcing that his department will open a toll-free number to answer all religious queries.