Rabat – Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita highlighted today Morocco’s front-row contribiution to the global fight against terrorism, saying that the country’s counter-terrorism efforts and approach are recognizerd and sought worldwide.
The top Moroccan diplomat made the declaration in a speech he made during the International Conference on “Inclusive Democratic Participation to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism.”
In the speech, Bourita emphasized Morocco’s noted – and increasing – efforts to combat extremism and terrorism.
He stressed the creation of the Mohammed VI Institute for the training of Imams in 2015.
The establishment is an intergal part of the Moroccan strategy to counter extermist thought by training a new generation of imams adequately equipped to preach a “Middle Way Islam” that is tolerant and diffence-accommodating, Bourita argued.
The institute has gained international prominence in recent years, receiving contingents of students from many countries in Africa and beyond.
Morocco also co-chaired the Global Counter-Terrorism Forcum with the Nerhleands between 2016-2019 and was re-elected for a third term alonside Canada for the 2020-2022 period.
Bourita’s speech listed some of Morocco’s other achivements and initiatives on the counter-terrorism and de-radicalization fronts.
“The opening in Morocco of the UN Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa (UNOCT) on June 24, 2021 is in line with the efforts made by our country to create a dynamic portfolio of advanced training on counter-terrorism, law enforcement, border security management, prevention of the presence of radicals, and human rights in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
In addition to Morocco’s significant contribution to global efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism, Bourita’s speech also covered the country’s efforts toward tackling women’s empowerment and youth issues.
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“Advancing democracy where it exists means creating environments that are conducive to empowerment and inclusive democratic participation, and enabling young women and men to become active global citizens,” he said.
He emphasized that youth empowerment and increased investments to improve education could save many children and youth from falling prey to extremist circles and other networks that exploit them.
The young are “the prime targets of [extremist groups’] recruitment strategies and are also victims directly or indirectly of extremist violence,” Bourita emphasized.
