Rabat – Morocco has allegedly summoned its ambassador in Malaysia. According to reports, Morocco’s move was due to the participation of the banned Islamist movement, Al Adl Wa Al-Ihssan (Justice and Spirituality) in the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Summit 2019 in December, Elaph Morocco reported.
Founded in the 1980s by Sheikh Abdessalam Yassine, a former teacher and the late spiritual guide of the group, the movement is banned in Morocco from political activities.
The movement is banned due to its “antagonistic” approach towards the Moroccan government.
Morocco summoned its ambassador in the country more than two weeks ago, a source quoted by the same news outlet argued.
The event, boycotted by Morocco, convened intellectuals and officials from Turkey, Iran, Qatar, and Malaysia, Indonesia and Pakistan.
Morocco maintains diplomatic relations with all the aforementioned countries, except Iran. The North African country severed ties with Iran in 2018, accusing its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah of training and providing arms to the Polisario Front, a breakaway group seeking independence in the Western Sahara in southern Morocco.
Other countries, such as UAE and Saudi Arabia also boycotted the summit due to continued tensions with Turkey.
The participation of Iran and the banned movement in the summit might be the main reason Morocco chose not to participate in the symposium.
The Malaysian government said it clarified the aim of the symposium to Morocco.
The country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, said that the participation of certain groups in the summit does not mean a recognition by his government, Malay Mail reported.
Jamat al Isslah wa Tawhid also participated in the event.
“I had a telephone conversation with Nasser Bourita [Moroccan FM] earlier this morning concerning the participation of the two Moroccan organisations, Attawhid wal Islah and Al Adl wa Al Ihsan, at the recent KL Summit,” said the Malaysian official.
The Malaysian official “clarified” that the event was the initiative of a Malaysian non-governmental organization.
“All invitations to Muslim scholars and representatives of private sectors and civil societies as well as their respective meetings with the Malaysian Prime Minister (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) and other Malaysian leaders were undertaken by the NGO concerned,” he explained.
The Malaysian official also emphasized that his country stands by the principle of non-interference in other states’ internal affairs.
