Moroccans debate role of Islam in new constitution

The place of Islam under the law is guaranteed in Morocco's draft constitution. What do voters think?

By Siham Ali for Magharebia in Rabat – 01/07/11

Moroccans vote Friday (July 1st) on a draft constitution that retains Islam as the state religion.

According to the draft preamble, the pride of place given to Islam in the law goes hand-in-hand with Morocco's commitment to "openness, moderation, tolerance and dialogue for mutual understanding between all cultures and civilizations in the world".

Debate over this issue probes the nature of Moroccan identity. Some people welcome the preservation of the traditional arrangement, while others contend that the importance attached to religion might hinder development and democracy.

Before the final text of the draft was published, proponents of the traditional definition – including the Justice and Development Party (PJD) – threatened to boycott the referendum if the text did not stipulate clearly the pre-eminence of Islam.

These views on Islam and the constitution indicate various undercurrents in Moroccan society, said Rajae Naji Mekkaoui, professor of law and member of the Constitutional Reform Advisory Committee.

Speaking to Magharebia, Mekkaoui said the Committee never considered the idea of discarding Islam or King Mohammed VI's role as Commander of the Faithful. A moderate and tolerant form of Islam prevails in Morocco, she said, which is why Moroccans do not tolerate certain forms of extremism and fanaticism.

Despite the explicit role of Islam in the Moroccan Constitution, the law also guarantees freedom of religion. The Jewish community has always played a part in Moroccan society, Mekkaoui said, adding that Jewish Moroccans were represented on the Committee by Albert Sasson, a former dean of the Faculty of Sciences in Rabat.

The draft has been welcomed by Morocco's Jewish community. The Council of Israelite Communities of Morocco called on Jews to vote "yes" in the referendum.

"We are delighted that the draft highlights the rich diversity of our national identity, which is a major asset in our bid to come to terms with our history and build our common future together," reads a statement issued June 23rd by the Council.

Some public figures are calling for vigilance, however.

Khadija Rouissi, president of NGO Bayt Al Hikma, warned Moroccans to be wary of those who "use religion to attack innovative and modern ideas that promote values and principles of human rights", citing the march against the Moudawana in 2002 as a past example.

This view was shared by Ahmed Assid, an Amazigh activist who told Magharebia that "although moderate Islam prevails in Morocco, it is known that there are certain strands, parties and organizations within society that espouse a rigid and intransigent interpretation of Islam and may seek to block certain rights and freedoms".

Reda Hnaoui, a professor of Islamic education, rejected these arguments, saying it was the king as Commander of the Faithful who guaranteed the open and tolerant nature of Islam.

It was he who intervened to ensure that the Family Code was adopted, by setting up a committee made up of ulemas and experts in various fields," he said.

Source: Magharebia.
Link: http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/2011/07/01/feature-02.