Rabat – Moroccan former Head of Government Abdelilah Benkirane has shared a video in which he explains why his party, the Justice and Development Party (PJD), is not an Islamic movement. He says it is a political party with an Islamic orientation.
“PJD is not a religious party; there’s a huge difference between a political party and a religious movements such as Al Adl Wa Al Ihsan and other groups.”
In the 50 minute video, which was published on Monday on his official Facebook Page, Benkirane explained what he sees as the difference between the two.
According to him, an Islamic movement focuses on resolving issues that relate to religion. Political parties on the other hand work to find solutions to the problems that a country faces, independent of religion.
Benkirane gave the example of Moroccan laws on alcohol and public drunkenness.
“Alcohol is haram, but it is the state which is in charge of forbidding it or not.”
According to Benkirane, religion and politics can be separate.
“The state’s body of laws should not necessarily be in line with the Islamic rulings.”
He goes on to emphasize that since engaging in the Moroccan political scene, his party has always promoted a separation of politics and power.
“Our party chose this reference as other parties chose other references,” he said.
Benkirane noted that his political party had come across a number of issues in the employment, health and education sectors. For him, the solution to the issues lies in good management.
“If there is no good management, these problems will remain the same however religious you are,” he said.
