Rabat – King Mohammed VI has announced clear directives for the revision of Morocco’s Family Code, underlining the need for a balanced and holistic reform that aligns with the country’s religious precepts and contemporary social needs.
In a meeting held at the Royal Palace in Casablanca today, the king instructed the government to communicate the details of the revision to the public and ensure that the reform process is carried out within a reasonable timeframe, adhering to constitutional guidelines.
The King’s speech included several key directives to the government, which are central to the next steps in the reform process:
Government Communication
-The government must ensure the public is well-informed about the proposed revisions of the
Family Code.
-The Head of Government and relevant ministers should communicate the changes effectively to the public, explaining how they align with Morocco’s evolving social, legal, and economic needs.
Clarity and Legal Precision
-Revisions should be formulated into clear, intelligible legal rules to avoid contradictory judicial interpretations and conflicts.
-The reform should serve the Moroccan family as a whole, without favoring one party over another, recognizing the family as the “basic unit of society.”
Guiding Principles
-Revisions must align with the values of justice, equality, solidarity, and coherence, as promoted by the teachings of Islam and the Moroccan legal system.
-The reforms should respect Morocco’s religious and cultural constants, while also allowing for progress and adaptation to the modern needs of families.
Legislative Phase
-Discussions and votes in the two chambers of Parliament must be based on the principles outlined in the Royal Letter to the Head of Government, including justice, equality, and the preservation of family unity.
-The legal texts derived from the revision process should reflect these universal values, including those enshrined in international conventions ratified by Morocco.
Reform’s Long-Term Vision
-The reform is part of a broader vision, twenty years after the implementation of the Family Code, to ensure the protection of families legally, socially, and economically.
-The reforms should be seen as a step toward societal progress, ensuring that family well-being remains a cornerstone of Moroccan society.
Towards a middle path
The monarch called on the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, and relevant ministers to ensure that the public is well-informed about the proposed changes, particularly concerning how they align with the country’s evolving social, legal, and economic landscape.
Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi, who is also a member of the body responsible for revising the Family Code, took the opportunity to outline the body’s approach to the revision process.
He detailed how the body conducted a series of listening sessions, gathering input from various stakeholders, which led to the development of over 100 proposed amendments. These were incorporated into a comprehensive report submitted to the king.
Ouahbi underlined the body’s commitment to ensuring that the proposed changes meet the needs of a rapidly evolving society while staying grounded in the principles of justice and equity.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Religious Endowments and Islamic Affairs and a member of the Higher Council of Ulemas, noted the role of the Council in providing legal opinions on religious texts tied to the Family Code.
The Council’s conclusions have played a crucial role in ensuring that the proposed revisions remain in line with Sharia law while considering the evolving needs of Moroccan society.
Toufiq also spoke on the importance of constructive Ijtihad—the process of applying independent legal reasoning—to adapt the Family Code to contemporary realities, while preserving the values of the Moroccan Fiqh school.
At the heart of the meeting was the king’s call for a complementary approach to the reform process—one that balances legal, social, and economic considerations. The monarch stressed that the Family Code revision must reflect Morocco’s commitment to progress while safeguarding its religious and cultural principles.
This session not only reaffirmed the king’s vision for a more modern and inclusive Family Code but also reflected the government’s responsibility to ensure that the reform is accessible and understandable to all Moroccans.
In June, the monarch instructed the Higher Council of Ulema to thoroughly review the proposals from the Family Code Revision Authority to ensure they align with Islamic principles and objectives. He has also directed the Council to issue a Fatwa on the proposals.
The King’s instructions are clear: the government must now prioritize public communication and continue to work diligently toward a reform that aligns with the aspirations of Moroccan society while remaining firmly grounded in the country’s legal and religious frameworks.
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