Casablanca – A member of the Istiqlal Party sparked commotion after allegedly expressing a positive opinion about prostitution before the House of Councilors during its monthly parliamentary session in Rabat.
The first segment of the parliamentary session was devoted to women’s issues in Morocco. The session was held in the presence of Head of the Government, Abdel-Ilah Benkirane.
During a speech, Khadija Zoumi, member of the Istiqlal Party, allegedly expressed a positive opinion about the prostitution in the kingdom. “Prostitution contributes to the growth of the national economy,” she said. “We must have the courage to admit it.”
The Istiqlali MP also attacked the female cops who patrol the streets of Marrakech to arrest underdressed, provocative women, as well as prostitutes.
Zoumi’s controversial statements during the parliamentary session provoked laughter from the bulk of present MPs.
However, Zoumi affirmed that she was not encouraging prostitution in Morocco, but was rather suggesting a different way to approach the problem.
Zoumi referred to a verse from the Quran to illustrate that God makes no distinctions between men and women, and that God has reserved equal punishments for all of those involved in prostitution, regardless of their sex.
Zoumi’s take on prostitution in Morocco dumbfounded many Moroccans, especially the fact that it was expressed by one of the members of the Istiqlal party, which many view as an ideologically conservative party.
Edited by Timothy Filla
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