Moroccan association questions suspension of religious lecture in Fnideq

The association “We are for you” said it was surprised by a decision from local authorities to suspend a scheduled lecture by Islamic preacher Yassine El Amri at a cultural center in the northern city of Fnideq.

In a statement sent to Hespress AR, the group said it had planned the event as part of preparations for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and had followed all required legal procedures. It said local authorities had been formally notified and had approved the activity, while the Fnideq Cultural Center had agreed to host the lecture.

The association said demand for invitations had been unusually high, reflecting strong public interest in what it described as “serious educational initiatives” and trust in the group’s civil society work.

According to the statement, the organizers were informed one day before the event that they were required to coordinate with the Local Scientific Council of Mdiq-Fnideq, which authorities said had oversight of the lecture. The association said it contacted the council, but that the council declined to accept the notification, citing a lack of jurisdiction. Attempts to reach the council’s president were unsuccessful, the group added.

In light of the situation, local authorities decided to suspend the event pending a coordination meeting among the parties involved, citing expectations of attendance exceeding the venue’s capacity, the statement said.

The association said the late suspension caused reputational harm to its work and sparked public frustration among residents who had planned to attend. It also raised questions, it said, about administrative consistency, given that coordination with the council was required while the council simultaneously declined to receive notification.

The group said it reserves the right to pursue legal and administrative steps to protect its rights and the standing of civil society activity in the city.

The statement concluded by expressing regret over the suspension of an initiative it said was intended to serve the public interest and promote intellectual awareness ahead of Ramadan, while reaffirming its commitment to community engagement and calling for a clear, participatory approach that respects the law and recognizes civil society as a key development partner.