Moroccan Islamist group label monarchy as undemocratic
Moroccan Islamist movement, Al Adl Wal Ihsane (AWI), are publicly opposing the legitimacy of the monarchy, for the first time in many years. According to The New Arab on January 27th, this comes amongst growing speculation surrounding the group’s potential participation in the electoral system, after decades of political isolation.
Omar Amkassou, a senior member of the movement, rejected the legitimacy of Morocco’s monarchy in a recent statement, arguing it is wholly incompatible with democracy.
“A hereditary monarchy cannot be the basis for a true solution. It goes against the people’s will,” he argued, reflecting an adherence to the teachings of Imam Abdessalam Yassine, the group’s late leader and founder.
Amkassou pledged the groups commitment to a fairer system in the same interview: “We want a system where power is decentralised, wealth is shared, and the rights of the people are respected.”
Yassine`s teachings often focused upon the historical change from an Islamic caliphate to monarchies, which he suggested serve the interests and needs of the elites rather than the people.
The controversial Islamist group has a large support base online, having amassed over 200,000 followers.
AWI were responsible for the organisation of many pro-Palestinian protests, with members conducting speeches where they applied Islamist rhetoric to criticise the injustices the people of Gaza are currently faced with.
This has endeared the movement to a wider range of Moroccan society, despite previously being perceived as too radical for many Muslim Moroccan’s.
In February 2024, AWI released a 150-page document, which many experts suggested may signify their intention to join the 2026 elections.
The movement was initially Founded in 1981, but has refused to join any elections for decades, establishing an ‘ideological purity’ in order to build their critiques of the monarchy and the existing political establishment.
The group is tolerated but not officially politically recognised by the state as AWI has historically aimed to create change through its NGO work, rather than participating in a political system they deem “corrupt.”
However, since 2024, AWI have hinted at adding their name to the ballot in the 2026 elections. However last year, Omar Iharchane said that the group are not ready to compromise, as one of the group’s main beliefs is that the current political system cannot ever be democratic.
Driss Ghanbouri, an expert on Islamist movements, views AWI’s recent open opposition of the monarchy as a strategic move pushing the state to better negotiate with political movements: “By emphasising the need for a democratic system, Al Adl Wal Ihsane is calling on the state to engage in a real conversation about Morocco’s political future,” Ghanbouri explained.
The New Arab
