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20 July 2006: The Prosecution of Al-Adl Wal Ishane in Morocco
Anneli Botha, ISS
Considered at face value, Morocco’s government can be described as moderate, relatively modern and open to political reform. However, closer inspection indicates that this is not entirely true, and by way of example I reflect on the government’s relationship with Al-Adl wal Ihsane - the ‘Charity and Justice Movement’. Although not considered by the authorities to be a legal body, it has been tolerated, until recently that is.
Al-Adl wal Ihsane was founded by Sheikh Abdessalem Yassine in 1980 as part of a strategy to gain political power; in 1981 his application for recognition of a political party was refused. The group primarily advocates the transformation of Morocco into an Islamist state, ruled by its interpretation of the Qur’an. A number of similarities exist with the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt:
Both strive towards the spread of Islam through non-violent means throughout society. (The Muslim Brotherhood initially focused its attention on a violent strategy.)
- Both direct activities towards grassroots social welfare organizations and their presence at universities.
- Similar to the Muslim Brotherhood, Al-Adl wal Ihsane is also considered to be a party that embodies the political and socio-economic aspirations of the ordinary citizen.
Since the reign of King Mohammed IV commenced in 1999, ordinary Moroccans have anxiously awaited the promised social, economic and political reforms that would not only benefit ordinary citizens, but would serve to prevent growing radicalization among certain Islamic groups such as Takfir wa Hijra, Salafia Jihadia and the Groupe Islamique Combattant Morrocain (or Moroccan Islamic Combat Group), which were previously implicated in acts of terrorism. The hopes of Al-Adl wal Ihsane that it could now formally participate in the political process were raised when, after 11 years under house arrest, Sheikh Abdessalam Yassine, was released in May 2000. Subsequent to his release, Sheikh Yassine announced a ‘spiritual’ education campaign in which Al-Adl wal Ishana would incorporate some 700 small charitable, cultural and sports associations throughout Morocco. The organization also has a strong presence among the country's 270,000 university students, and in the sprawling slums outside the large urban centers of Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Tetouan and Oujda (1). In a further attempt to spread its message, they established two newspapers, Al-Futouwa (or Youth) and Al-Adl wal Ishana. However, in July 2000 the government reacted by banning the printing and distribution of both publications. This was indicative of government’s subsequent failure to implement the sought for political reforms and its increasingly oppressive stance. Al-Adl wal Ihsane has neither been allowed to transform itself into a political party nor to participate in the September 2002 elections.
This year has seen a marked escalation of government crackdowns on Al-Adl wal Ishane, and the arrest of several members in a number of campaigns. On 27 May 2006 security forces arrested 330 members attending authorized public meetings that were taking place across the country. In reaction to the prosecution of Al-Adl wal Ihsane, Interior Minister, Chakib Benmoussa, announced on 31 May 2006 that the organization is "outside the logic of law, while prevalence should be given to this latter and to the legitimate representative institutions. It is the State's duty to enforce the respect of laws, including respect of public freedom, the preservation of order, the freedom of speech, meeting and demonstration, as well as the possibility of raising funds are governed in a way that prevents the citizen from being manipulated or used as a tool" (2). The most recent arrests of some 68 members occurred in Fez on 13 July 2006 (3).
Members of the organization see these arrests as part of an exclusionary strategy that is directed towards anyone with opposing ideas and views, and to be in violation of basic human rights and freedoms. It is widely feared that government oppression of the opposition may indirectly force groups that had been willing to participate in the political process to adopt a campaign of violence in order to realize their aspirations. With high unemployment, widespread poverty and illiteracy, it is expected that popularity of Al-Adl wal Ihsane, and similar groups will increase. Without the possibility of representation, the possibility of violent dissent can be anticipated. In the world after 9/11 and amid growing pressure to initiate strategies to prevent and combat terrorism, governments are often tempted to apply counter-terrorism initiatives against opposition groups – a strategy that will not only foster radicalization, but also open up the recruitment pool of more determined extremist organizations. In other words, although this strategy might seem to be successful in the short term, more harm will be done in the medium- and long-term. As a matter of fact, it is through acknowledging, and working in partnership with moderate organizations, that governments can effectively counter the spread of radicalism as part of a pro-active counter-terrorism strategy.
1. A Bouzerda, Freed Moroccan Islamist leader plans strategy, Reuters News, 24 May 2000.
2. Maghreb Arabe Presse, Al Adl Wal Ihsane is 'outside the logic of law,' minister, 18 July 2006, http://www.map.ma/eng/sections/general/al_adl_wal_ihsane_is/view
3. BBC Monitoring Middle East, Morocco arrests several members of Islamic group, 16 July 2006.
