Region | Morocco
Moroccan Islamists expected to lead in polls despite Al Qaida fears
Widespread fears of Al Qaida-inspired bombings and accusations that Islamists are to blame for terrorism are unlikely to impact Morocco's upcoming parliamentary poll or halt the advance of moderate Islamists.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:40 August 26, 2007
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Supporters of USFP (Socialist Union of the Popular Forces) sing during an electoral meeting in Rabat. Parliamentary elections in Morocco will be held on September 7.
Rabat: Widespread fears of Al Qaida-inspired bombings and accusations that Islamists are to blame for terrorism are unlikely to impact Morocco's upcoming parliamentary poll or halt the advance of moderate Islamists.
Morocco's secular elite considered banning the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) in 2003 after suicide bombings killed 45 people in Casablanca.
But the PJD, tipped to lead 32 other parties in the September 7 parliamentary polls, survived that crisis and secular and Socialist charges that Islamist ideology was "morally responsible" for violence by militants.
Analysts and diplomats said any Islamist-linked bombings in the run-up to next month's elections would become new ammunition in the ideological war between Islamists and their secular foes, but the vote would not be much influenced by any attacks.
"The danger of terror attacks is looming large but I do not believe attacks during the campaign would impact the election," said leading security analyst Tawfiq Bouachrine.
"Neither Al Qaida in the Maghreb nor the cells linked to it in the region have a precise political agenda. They want only to spread fear and undermine trust in the state," he added.
Moroccan secularist and Socialist politicians on Saturday launched the two-week campaign during which they will try to trim the PJD's advance by linking the party to terrorism.
They argue PJD, though it is not linked directly to terrorism, advocates an "ideology feeding terrorism".
"Moroccan voters have to choose between those who seek to push Morocco into a dark tunnel of obscurantism, hatred and war of religious sects and those who defend democracy and progress," said Socialist Union of Popular Forces chief Mohammad Al Yazghi.
Opponents
PJD leaders say they are staunch opponents of radical Islamists and violence.
"We are all part of the same front against terrorism, whether we are leftists or Islamists. We are all committed to protect the country," said Lahcen Daoudi, top PJD official.
"Social misery, poverty and unemployment are factors which push youth to extremism. We in the PJD are aware that we must explain to the people that violence is useless," he added.
North Africa has been on alert since Al Qaida's regional wing, Algeria-based Al Qaida Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb, threatened last month to step up its war against 'corrupt' Maghreb rulers and their Western allies.
Seven Al Qaida-inspired suicide bombers blew themselves up in March and April in Casablanca, killing themselves and one police officer.
PJD, which has become increasingly palatable to reform-minded King Mohammad and business and political elites around him, has been dogged by suspicions it has a hidden agenda to turn Morocco into a purist Islamist state.
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
