Morocco, Reference in Promoting Moderate Islam, Combating Extremism - Italian Magazine

Morocco represents a reference in promoting a moderate Islam and fighting against religious extremism, Italian magazine InsideOver reported on Saturday.

“Morocco’s strategy within the African continent and the Arab world is closely linked to the vision of Islam adopted by the Kingdom, the objective being to represent an important reference point for a moderate interpretation of Islam and export its principles and particularities to Africa and the Middle East,” according to the author of the article, Mauro Indelicato.

This real “soft power” applied to the religious sphere contributes to the influence of Morocco throughout the region, InsideOver stressed.

“In the Islamic world, especially in the Sunni world, there are different currents that reflect different visions of religion. Each of them is pushed and supported by their respective governments. In this context, Morocco is trying to advance the promotion of moderate Islam,” it added.

For the publication, Morocco could be a reference for those seeking a moderate path to Islam, an ambitious goal, especially at a time marked by the spread of fanatical and radical ideologies that have led to the rise of terrorist movements.

The Kingdom’s strategy has “also produced results in the diplomatic field, with the resumption of relations with Israel and the recognition by the United States of Rabat’s sovereignty over the Sahara, InsideOver noted, highlighting “Morocco’s reputation as a moderate Arab country and reliable partner.”

The author of the article also recalled that since the terrorist attacks of May 16, 2003, in Casablanca, Morocco has implemented a strategy aimed not only at combating extremist ideologies, but also at promoting a new moderate vision of Islam.

The magazine focused in this sense on the reforms undertaken in the religious field in Morocco, with a particular interest in the training of Imams and all those involved in the management of religious affairs, as well as the promotion of a moderate vision of religion, “a hard work of nearly two decades.”

InsideOver also looked back on the historic visit of Pope Francis to Morocco in March 2019, stressing that “this event has consecrated Morocco in the role of advocate of a moderate and tolerant vision of Islam.”