Benkirane on LGBT: Morocco Is Not Europe

Rabat- Morocco’s Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) may have been routed in the country’s latest general elections because of its extremely conservative social policies and ineffective handling of the economy.

But the party’s newly elected leader, Abdelilah Benkirane, is adamant that the PJD is determined to remain the custodian of religious righteousness and authentic Moroccanness.

Speaking last weekend during the first meeting of the party’s National Committee on December 4, Benkirane discussed LGBT rights and provided a useful guide to where his party will draw the social lines as it seeks to remain an influential voice in the Moroccan political scene despite a historic electoral defeat.

PJD will never treat homosexuals as “if we were in Europe,” Benkirane insisted, suggesting throughout his speech that homosexuality is un-Moroccan and un-Islamic.

“We will not strive for homosexuals to publicly declare the disobedience of God,” he said.

Citing a number of religious texts to justify his statements, Benkirane said that homosexuals have always existed in the Islamic world and Morocco, but they have always been hidden.

Benkirane said that the PJD will never change its “strategic convictions” under his leadership. Instead, the party will continue “adhering to the Islamic reference, with ijtihad, and renewal.,” while being at the forefront to counter any calls or actions to decriminalize homosexuality.

Many Moroccan intellectuals, including religious scholars, have in recent years invoked Ijtihad (critical or independent reasoning) to oppose the PJD’s rigorous and literalist interpretation of Islamic precepts.

Notably contending that Islam allows for critical thinking about or exploration of foundational Islamic texts, these critics have called for the application of a progressive and difference-accommodating Islam.

Referring to this debate, Benkirane said: “Some people ask us to practice Ijtihad. But if it is about gays or individual freedoms, if you want to change this [the criminalization of homosexuality], look for someone else.”

Further afield in his speech, the former Moroccan head of government discussed consensual extramarital sexual relations in Morocco, describing them as “adultery” and “filthiness.”

Whoever declares being involved in sexual relationships outside marriage must be subjected to the law, Benkirane argued.

The remarks of the PJD leader, which come on the heels of ongoing debates about the need for Morocco to effectively implement its 2011 progressive reforms, are bound to spark uproar in some circles in the country.

Last year, a group of Moroccan rights activists launched an online campaign to call for the abolishment of Article 490 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes consensual sexual relations outside marriage.

Local activists describe the law as a fundamental impediment to citizens’ freedoms, while supporters see it as a way for the state to enforce Islamic values.

On the other hand, surveys have consistently shown that many young Moroccans are receptive to sex before marriage.

A recent study indicated that one out of two Moroccans believe prenuptial sex is a personal choice.

The study, based on 1312 responses from across Morocco, “dealt with the reality of individual freedoms” in the country.

For instance, at least 76.7% of Moroccans believe that relationships outside marriage are common and should not be frowned upon.