King Mohammed VI: “Extremism Can Only Be Fought through a Participatory Approach”

Meknes – Terrorist attacks have multiplied in the Arab region, if not in the world, particularly in France with the tragedies of Hyper Kosher, Charlie Hebdo and Thalys. In Morocco, this threat should be “fought through a participatory approach”, according to a royal speech delivered to the Moroccan nation on the occasion of the 62^nd aniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People on August 20.

Morocco, with its Moroccan people and its guests, should remain a land of tolerance, hospitality, and stability. In this respect, Moroccans should do their duty by cooperating with the security services to keep this stability sustainable, because they are also responsible in the framework of the coordination with the intelligence services. Socially speaking, they should especially do more to help Syrians and sub-Saharan Africans, because some of them have to resort to begging to survive.

On the other hand, these guests should remain neutral regarding Moroccans’ choice in the religious sphere. “Refugees have to abide by Moroccan laws and respect sacred national and religious values, mainly the Sunni Maliki rite (…) I am referring particularly to those who attempt to create chaos inside and outside mosques or join criminal and terrorist gangs,” said the sovereign, characterizing Morocco as a land of tolerance.

This participatory approach meets, therefore, the Moroccans and their guests. It is based on strengthening the values of openness and tolerance in which Moroccans believe. This is an approach where religious, educational, and social components complement each other as a dimension of development.

However, this participatory approach was thought of after border security had been achieved successfully. To accomplish this priority, the country imposed visa entry on some Arab nations, namely Syria and Libya. “This decision is not aimed at any party and should not be seen as an unfriendly gesture. It is a sovereign decision and as the defender of the country’s security and stability, I will not tolerate any carelessness or negligence in protecting Morocco and Moroccans,” King Mohammed VI explained.

In fact, Morocco’s King took the opportunity on the occasion of the 62^ndanniversary of the Revolution of the King and the People to pay tribute to all the security services for their mobilization and vigilance, as demonstrated recently by the Center for Legal and Judicial Studies in Tangier, in order to foil any terrorist group plot aimed at “upsetting the Moroccan model.” This “security label” became recognized and known on an international level.

The participatory approach is much more needed today, whether on the internal or the external levels. The counterterrorism relationship between different countries should be reinforced to make a long-term global agenda for a fruitful cooperation.