Moroccan authorities concerned over Iranian religious intervention
2009-03-19
As relations with Iran deteriorate, Moroccan authorities are taking a closer look at Shi'ism in the Kingdom and its possible links to terrorism.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat – 19/03/09
 [Getty Images] Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Taieb Fassi-Fihri denounces Iranian religious activism in his country. |
Strained relations continued this week between Morocco and Iran, this time over the issue of Shi'ism in Morocco. The kingdom broke diplomatic ties with Iran March 6th over aggressive comments the latter made towards the nation of Bahrain.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Taieb Fassi-Fihri said that Moroccan authorities have "recognised activism by [Iranian] authorities, and particularly by its diplomatic representatives in Rabat, aimed at changing fundamental religious values in Morocco, attacking the very foundations of the Moroccan people's ancestral identity, and attempting to threaten the uniqueness of Muslim practices and the Sunni Maliki faith in Morocco".
"We were aware of the existence of Shi'ite activism in Morocco," he continued, "but given that relations between the two sides were on an even keel, we did not want to rock the boat."
Now that relations between Morocco and Iran have reached their present state, the problem can be addressed in the open, he added.
Interior Minister Chakib Benmoussa confirmed that Iranians have been proselytising in Morocco since 2004, through various cultural centres and the circulation of a number of publications. Dozens of young Moroccans are now in Iran, studying Shi'ism at that country's expense.
Former Iranian Ambassador to Rabat Valid Ahmadi told the press that these students were "small in number" and that there was no need to pay the matter any attention.
"It would be pointless to want to change certain constants, such as religious adherence," Ahmadi said, refuting accusations that Iran is actively proselytising.
"The accusations about involvement in Moroccan internal affairs are unfounded and we reject them out of hand," confirmed Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs Monouchehr Motaki.
Moroccan observers have had mixed reactions to the issue. While some have echoed the position taken by officials, others play down the effects of Shi'ism in Morocco, stressing that it is simply a reaction to the recent deterioration in relations between Morocco and Iran.
Moroccan MP Abdelbari Zemzemi said he has seen evidence of a Shi'ite movement in Morocco going back a decade or more.
"The danger of Shi'ism lies in the division it could create at the heart of the Nation, as is happening in Iraq," Zemzemi said. "Iran's objective is to export its culture throughout the Islamic world and among Muslim expatriates… This can divide societies."
Others express a more immediate concern.
"There is a section of Shi'ites who call for combat and pay no attention to dialogue," said Hassan Benadir, a specialist in Islamic issues. "That's the real danger, because we have seen a number of cases of Shi'ite terrorists of Maghreb origin."
"Amongst others, I could mention the now-disbanded Moroccan terrorist network 'Ansar El Mahdi', which had Shi'ite connotations... As for the Belliraj network, the interior ministry indicated it was in contact with Hezbollah," he added.
Despite the current alarm, many think the question of Shi'ism in Morocco is being overstated. Ahmed Ramzi, a specialist in Islamic movements, stressed that the Shi'ite presence in Morocco is still rather marginal, as it is not a structured or organised movement.
Political expert Mohamed Darif suggests that Morocco is pushing back, because "relations between Tehran and Algiers are getting stronger and stronger, to the detriment of Moroccan interests, particularly where the Sahara issue is concerned".
Ties between Morocco and Iran, never stable, have been severed in the past, such as in 1979 when the Shah was overthrown. Normal relations were not restored until 1991.
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عبد السلام المغربي Posted 2009-03-19
God, the nation, the king.
KAMAL Posted 2009-03-19
The issue is exaggerated and requires an investigation. We hope that Mr Darif Tahari tells us the truth and investigates the information.
Amir Posted 2009-03-19
What a childish attitude by morrocan goverment. So thousands of morrocan who study in Europe or US are at danger to become christian!! or what about hundreds of christian activist working freely in morraco. this in insulting to the people intelligent How pathetic!? Now Ahmadinejad doesnot seem that stupid does he?
Jamal Morelli Posted 2009-03-20
Yeah, before you know it we will have brotherhoods making music while smashing their heads until bleeding, screaming about Ali, Hussain, the shorfa, etc. We can't let that happen to our Moroccan culture! What would the Gnawa, Aissawa, Hamadsha, Jilala think if they saw something like that?
Eng.Hasan Al-Bahkali Posted 2009-03-20
Ever since the emergence of the Iranian revolution in 1979, it has been trying to export revolution and interfere with the affairs of other states. Now it want to have control over the region and continuous claims that it controlled historically other countries which means obliterating some countries which exist today. Persians cannot be trusted. So may God assist Islamic countries from the acts of Persians inside and outside their lands. Engineer Hasan Al Bahkali.
Abu Amina Posted 2009-03-21
Shi'ism is very very dangerus. They hate the (sahabah companions of rasulilah saws)and they obey Iran in every aspect both politicaly and religiously. They have a tomb where the murderer of Omar ibn al-khattab (ra) is laying. (see Pirouz Nahavandi on wikipedia)and they call our Ulaama liars and say that imam al Bukhari was a lier. This is only the top of the iceberg. may allah keep the Magreb free from the Saffarid.
مسلم مغربي حتى النخاع Posted 2009-03-22
Peace, mercy and blessings of God be upon you. No one of us denies the Shiite threat to Muslims. This Shiite religion wants to intervene in the religion of Islam. By God, there is no more serious threat to Muslims worse than Shiites who believe in Ali, El Houssein, I seek refuge with God from what they worship and adore. So, from this site which offered us an opportunity to express our opinion, I want to address a salutation to everyone who works for the safety of the country, protection of our religion Islam from the worshippers of Satan, worshippers of Karbalaa. I want to address my words to every Iranian, Lebanese and Syrian Shiites, you will not damage our religion and faith no matter what you do and regardless of the efforts you mobilize with the support of Israeli. Everyone knows today the comic play acted by Iran with America in order to infiltrate Muslim minds with a weak belief in God. They depicted to the world that America is the enemy of Iran and that it wants to destroy it. Is there a mind which can believe that the arrogant American power fears Iran which took control of the poor Iraq for only forty days? I hope that Muslim Arabs, not Shiite Arabs activate their minds which have been sleeping for decades and see the threat surrounding them. By God, Shiism is just a mixture of Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and other religions known only by God. When was the Muslim adulating a person? There is no power and no will but from God the Almighty. Finally, may Morocco keep its firmness against the invasions which started in the era of El Mensour and continue to this day. It will not retract from its religion or beliefs to death. Salam.
Jamal Morelli Posted 2009-03-24
And also we have to stop them before they introduce wali worship! Before you know it we will have a giant shrine with an Islamic saint buried inside, with women circumambulating, chanting out his name, praying for healing while putting their heads under the cloth which covers the tomb... you know, that Shia stuff that nobody does in Morocco, least of all, the conservative bastion of Islam, Fes. Can you imagine huge crowds of people in Fes shouting out the name of a revered Muslim who was a member of the Prohphet's family, while making a pilgrimage to his tomb? Impossible! Only in Iran!
قل الحق : رد على مغربي مسلم Posted 2009-03-25
In reply to Moroccan Muslim to the bone. Honestly, your opinion is respectable, but there are a few observations: 1- the opinion of the brother is embedded with radical chauvinism. My brother, I am Moroccan like you but I don't accuse Shia of apostasy. On the opposite, it is an Islamic country . Review your position, you cannot accuse of apostasy someone who says La Ilaha Illa Allah (There is no other God but Allah). The position of the scholars is clear and you can make sure of this. 2- Islam is a religion addressed to the world and the messenger was sent to all the people. 3- Shia are conservative. It is true that there are many deviations but at least the Islamic opposition front against the American hegemony over the Islamic World. 4- Even Sunna are today immersed in deviations to the head. The proof is clear. There is no single Islamic state which implements the instructions of the messenger . They existed only during the period of the four Caliphs and Omar Ben Abdelaziz. 5- We need to unite against Zionist-American arrogance, while you divide people into Muslims and infidels. I don't know your name or address to publish it Mr Mufti??? 6- The era of this is a Muslim and this an infidel just because he disagrees with you is over. There are Islamic countries who make alliances with America against my brother Shia. 7- The conflict of Shia and Sunna is very old. It has its background. However, Shia witness that there is no other God but Allah and that Mohamed is His messenger. Their vision of Ali is wrong this is because they love him. But they they read the Holy Qur'an. They have not distorted it. Maybe they have a different interpretation of the Qur'an, but this is the role of scholars. They must discuss the issue and warn them of that. Beyond that, no one has the right to do anything. If want to, critisise, critisise Western countries and what is promoted in Morocco as there is the good and evil. 8- Morocco was Shiite; my brother please read the history of Morocco. I will give you some indications. The celebration of Achoura, the Shiite dresses in many Moroccan regions: Zagoura, some regions in Souss... Abdellah the Shiite started from Morocco to set up the Shiite Fatimide dynasty in Egypt; Ibn Toumerte is considered Al Mahdi Al Mountadar and he was called Al Mahdi,; names of people used in Morocco and in abundance in these regions are: Al Hassan, Al Hussein, Al Mahdi, Ali...The Moroccan culture is mixed up with the Shiite thought. 9- In politics there is no eternal friend or eternal enemy.
Jamal Morelli Posted 2009-03-27
قل الحق : رد على مغربي مسلم Great post, t'barak Allah alik... Shumisha in Politics: We are being slowly prepared for a war of the US and/or Israel against Iran. This way, when the bombs start flying....these accusations against Iran will have reached the general population and temper the Moroccans from protesting and increasing their possible aggression against our Western sponsors. Moulay Idriss was Shia - I would think if this Shia problem was actually serious, we would cancel the yearly moussem.
متقفة Posted 2009-03-27
I hope that you will elaborate more on this topic because it is ambiguous and requires explanation to most people.
الطيب الفاس الغبي Posted 2009-03-27
Comment-----> What Amir said, period.
Shahraz Posted 2009-03-27
See this what the west has intended. To divide the Ummah and besides they have. Morocco have you achieve economic respect from world. Of Nations as Iran...stil a protectorate of France. Since you prompt..Fracphonism is accurate in spelling. You fail to achieve the cultural respect. But you have icon worship...madrass is full unqualified Ullamh. It's a non-Arab resentment as depise south Asian Moslem. Whom majority are Sunni and African Moslem whom not Arab. Heritage and the Berbers so if exclude us. Iran is still the learning center for the Ummah. I notice the insufficient amount of universities and Madrass. The great Morocco has but drug addicts and poverty. I know France shall resolve your problems dream own! Your Arab nationalist!
walid jamal Posted 2009-04-15
I think that we need a single objective approach to the issue with Shiites in Morocco in particular and religious phenomena in general. I hope that the specialists will be able to clear things up for us with regards to religion and society. We have already had the opportunity to read some interesting things about the problems in the relationship between religion and society. Ghilani, a sociologist, offers one profound approach that could open up some new paths in research. I support academic studies in order to really explain and analyse the fate of a society open to many changes.
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