Bin Laden tape makes little impact on Moroccans

2007-09-14

A videotape reportedly containing remarks by fugitive al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, released on the sixth anniversary of the September 11th attacks, was largely ignored in Morocco.

By Mawassi Lahcen for Magharebia in Casablanca – 14/09/2007

[Getty Images] Hundreds protest in Morocco after the May 19th, 2003 terror attacks in Casablanca. The television appearance of Bin Laden on the anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 attacks did not receive special attention in Morocco.

Osama bin Laden's video appearance on the anniversary of the September 11th attacks in the United States went largely unnoticed in Morocco, despite the excitement that has long surrounded his disappearance. Some Moroccans were too preoccupied with the results of the country's recent legislative elections and many others remembered the terrorist bombings of May 2003, as well as those in March and April 2007, which have led to a widespread aversion to terrorism and its associated ideologies.

In bin Laden's tape, aired Tuesday (September 11th), the al-Qaeda leader commemorated the "19 champions" who perpetrated the terrorist attacks in 2001, urged all Muslims to join the jihad and warned Americans to convert to Islam.

Many Moroccans interviewed by Magharebia stated they had not seen the new bin Laden tape. Some said they had heard about the tape or read about it in the press, but had not paid attention to it.

Most Moroccan newspapers opted to re-print existing coverage of the bin Laden tape from Agence France Presse, with slight changes.

Abdelelah Sakhir, a journalist specialized in terrorism issues and fundamentalist movements in Morocco said bin Laden is a failed model; that he has become isolated and no longer has the same ability to influence people. "Bin Laden has caused harm to Arabs and Muslims. With his rashness, he has given justifications to attack Islam, though his actions have nothing to do with Islam," said Sakhir. He added sarcastically that the only achievement bin Laden can be proud of is the attack on buildings with civilian planes on September 11th, which is "a criminal act we can't describe in any other way."

When asked about his lack of interest in the bin Laden video tape, young Casablanca law student Mohammad al-Wardani said Bin Laden is a "ghost" that exists only on the Aljazeera television network.

Minister of Rural Development Mohamed Mohattane said the events of September 11th are strongly ingrained in Moroccans' memories, pointing to the feeble performance of Islamist parties in the September 7th elections that were far below expectations.

"Today I live the September 11th memory like any citizen of the world," Mohattane told Magharebia. "As a Muslim Moroccan citizen, whose religion prohibits the killing of innocent people, I re-live it as a painful and tragic memory, and as a source of major fear and concern."

The Minister said no one can feel safe and secure in a world haunted by terrorism; one in which any citizen walking in the street feels threatened by the possibility that someone else could blow themselves up and take their life without cause.

"Efforts must be enhanced, both internally and externally to combat this phenomenon which goes against the principles of Islam," He added. "Continuing down such a path will certainly enable us to overcome this danger that kills children and innocent people."

"Morocco is an ancient Islamic country," Mohattane said. "We have our own tolerant and open Malikite school of theology, which is based on the principle that Islam is a religion of ease rather than difficulty. We also have the King, who is the Commander of the Faithful."

Driss ben Ali, head of the Development and Change Alternatives Association, criticized the US reaction to the attacks of September 11th. "I think that the United States, as a superpower, could have acted with much more wisdom, and could have led the world to the stability and peace we all desire," he told Magharebia.

As to the effects of September 11th on Morocco, Ben Ali said, "We have lived through similar situations, such as the May 2003 bombings and other events. However, Morocco remains one of the least-affected countries. Yet, we shouldn't forget that there are Moroccans involved in terrorist organisations on a global level and inside Morocco as well, with all the associated risks and dangers."