Justice and Development party (Morocco)
All topics-
Unrest in Morocco
Condemned to eke out a living
Symptomatic of the widespread poverty and oppression within Moroccan society, the tragic death of the fishmonger Mouhcine Fikri has touched a raw nerve among the population. Attempts to defuse the situation are ongoing. Matthew Greene reports from Rabat
-
Secularism in the Islamic world
Part II – Clouding the issue
In the second part of his essay on secularism in the Islamic world, Saudi analyst Khalid al-Dakhil addresses the ready confusion, found particularly in Islamic writings, of secularism as a concept and separating religion and the state as a legal-political reality. What is the difference?
-
Religion and politics in Morocco
Blurred lines
In Tunisia, the Ennahda Party has announced it is decoupling its political work from ongoing efforts to establish an Islamic social model. In Morocco too, the Justice and Development Party is presenting itself as a primary advocate for the separation of both spheres. In this essay, Ali Anouzla examines what lies behind the rhetoric
-
Three years after the Arab Spring
Self-criticism and genuine dialogue required
Arab Islamists and secularists fought alongside each other in the Arab Spring revolutions. But once they had removed the hated despots from power, they became embroiled in political trench warfare and revealed an astonishing lack of democratic maturity, says renowned Moroccan analyst Ali Anouzla
-
Democratic change in Morocco
The right king in the wrong monarchy?
The paradox of the political situation in Morocco is that King Mohammed VI seems to want to bring about domestic political change, whereas his entourage, which has grown rich and influential since the country gained independence, is resisting such efforts. By Mohammed Hashas
-
Women's rights in Morocco
Gender equality on paper only
Ever since a young woman took her own life two years ago after being raped and married off to her aggressor, equal rights between men and women have been the subject of heated discussion in Morocco. A set of laws that is riddled with contradictions further fuels the debate. By Susanne Kaiser
-
Morocco's Islamist Justice and Development Party
A Delicate Balancing Act
Morocco's Islamist Party of Justice and Development shot to power for the first time after triumphing in parliamentary polls held in 2011. But despite rising popular support and stalled programs of reform, Morocco's Justice and Development Party still has to toe the palace line. By Mohammed Masbah
-
The Rise of Populists in Moroccan Politics
Jokes, Clamour, Jesters and Trouble-making
The election of Hamid Chabat as secretary-general of Istiqlal, Morocco's oldest political party, at the end of September has brought attention to the resurgence in populism that is becoming a distinctive feature of Moroccan politics, writes Mohamed Jalid
-
Turkish Pianist and Composer Fazil Say
Up in Court for Insulting Islam
Last week, the court case against the celebrated Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say began in Istanbul. Say faces charges of spreading anti-Islamic comments via Twitter. Supporters and critics alike say that the case highlights Turkey's shortcomings in terms of freedom of expression. Thomas Seibert has the details
-
Interview with Morocco's Minister Bassima Hakkaoui
''Some Politicians See Women as Intruders''
PJD politician Bassima Hakkaoui is the only woman to hold a ministerial post in Morocco's new, Islamist-dominated government. In conversation with Siham Ouchtou, the Minister for Solidarity, Women, Family and Social Development addresses the concerns of women's rights organizations over the government's gender equality policy
-
Parliamentary Elections in Morocco
Divide and Rule
Following the Justice and Development Party's victory in the Moroccan parliamentary elections recently, the King of Morocco may well be looking to demystify the Islamists by granting them a slice of the power pie, writes Sonja Hegasy
-
Morocco Prepares for Parliamentary Elections
Superficial Respect for the Will of the People
Voter turnout in Morocco's early parliamentary elections on 25 November is expected to be low. A major reason for this is widespread disaffection among the young, who feel ignored by existing parties. In its eyes, the establishment is nothing but a "façade democracy". By Sonja Hegasy