Morocco offers model in handling Islamist phenomenon, Egyptian analyst says

Morocco offers an exceptional model in handling the Islamist phenomenon in the Arab Maghreb, Egyptian political analyst, Fahmi Houaidi said, MAP reported.

Houaidi, who attended recently in Morocco a meeting on women's rights and obligations in Islam, said Morocco proved that moderation can be very efficient in restricting extremist influence.

The analyst wrote in a story published by the widely-circulated Egyptian daily "Al-Ahram" that Morocco opted for dialogue and opened the way for Islamist participation in political life.

Islamists are represented in the Moroccan house of representatives (lower house) within the Justice and Development Party (former Popular Democratic and Constitutional Movement/MPDC).

Touching on the Rabat meeting on women's rights and obligations, Houaidi said all participants, regardless of their trends, agreed that women are prey to injustice and that their situation should be improved.

The Rabat meeting was attended by religious scholars, including the Shiite leader of Lebanon, Sheikh Shamseddine, and representatives of several feminist organizations and political parties.