Morocco's Islamists divided on Family Code reform

On March 9 and 10, the 22nd session of the «Shura Council» of the Moroccan Islamist association Al Adl wal Ihsane (AWI) was held, chaired by the movement's secretary-general, Mohamed Abbadi. The ongoing project to revise the Family Code was discussed during the meeting.

After examining this subject, Al Adl wal Ihsane pleaded for a reform «which unites and does not divide, which brings together and does not alienate the various components of Moroccan society», according to a press release published Monday by the association.

The body «emphasized the need to take into account, in each amendment considered, the provisions and purposes of Islam's teachings, while striving to provide creative and original solutions to emerging problems».

This measured approach by Al Adl wal Ihsane contrasts with the Justice and Development Party's (PJD) stance. The Islamist party continues its strategy of direct confrontation with any party opposing its vision for the Family Code reform.

As evidenced by the PJD's internal meeting held on Sunday in Rabat, Secretary-General Abdelilah Benkirane once again condemned the memorandum presented by the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and its supporting parties. He reiterated his plan to organize «a millionth march».

Moderate Al Adl wal Ishane vs. confrontational PJD

Unlike the PJD, Al Adl wal Ihsane has for years engaged in dialogue with left-wing and far-left forces, such as the Marxist-Leninist Labor Democratic Way. This dialogue resulted in Al Adl wal Ihsane's supporters supporting the creation of the Moroccan Front for Palestine and against Normalization, led by Jamal El Asri, the current secretary-general of the Unified Socialist Party (PSU).

In addition to this political dialogue, Al Adl wal Ihsane, in its new political document, has reached out to the Moroccan state, seemingly overlooking its past opposition to the hereditary monarchy and the commandery of believers - key themes under its founder Abdessalam Yassine.

For the record, on March 12, 2000, in Casablanca, the PJD and Al Adl wal Ihsane co-organized a large march against the Action Plan for the Integration of Women, then supported by the Party of Progress and Socialism's Minister of Family, Mohamed Said Saadi. Islamist pressure forced the El Youssoufi I government to withdraw the plan and dismiss the minister during the September 6, 2002, reshuffle.

Following Benkirane's threat on March 3 in Casablanca to defend Islamic values through a new «millionth march» on the Family Code, Al Adl wal Ihsane has remained silent on the PJD leader's proposal.