Family law in Morocco, a revolution in the Arab states, writer

The Moroccan francophone writer, Tahar Benjelloun, described in Tripoli Monday the newly-approved family law in Morocco as a revolution in the Arab states.

Addressing a conference themed the "Arab World and Modernity," Benjelloun said the reform of laws related to the situation of women in Morocco is a "bold step" that was favourably greeted worldwide. The reformed Family law highlights the principle of "equality of rights and duties" within the marriage and abandons the principle of the "wife's obedience to her husband." According to the new reforms, the age of women in marriage raises from 15 to 18 and polygamy can only be practised under highly restrictive conditions.

Benjelloun insisted that Arab countries should give more attention to the situation of women and heed personal liberty, democracy, equality, the fight against poverty and marginalization.

He added that "misunderstanding between the Arab world and the West stems from the lack of a common vision concerning the individual," highlighting the need to draw inspiration from the apogee of the Arab-Islamic society from the 9th to the 11th century.

The 60-year old writer, currently visiting Libya on the invitation of the French institute of Tripoli, presented his book "l'auberge des pauvres" (the Hostel of the Poor) at a meeting last Saturday with Libyan intellectuals. Benjelloun won in 1987 Prix Concourt for his book "la nuit sacree" (sacred night).