Rabat – King Mohammed VI underlined today the fundamental significance of family unity and cohesion within the framework of the Moudawana, the country’s Family Code, which the monarch recently ordered the Moroccan government to revise.
“It is in keeping with the spirit of these national values – which consider the family and family bonds to be sacred – that I have addressed a letter to the Head of Government asking for a review of the Family Code,” the King said.
The monarch made the statement during his speech at the parliament in Rabat on the occasion of the opening of the first session of the third legislative year of the 11th legislature.
The speech highlighted the critical role of families as the “pillar of society,” as stated in the Moroccan constitution. The king emphasized the need for a strengthened Moudawana that reflects the cherished Moroccan values of solidarity, unity, and familial support.
He said that a cohesive family unit is essential for societal harmony, explaining: “Society will not function properly if the family is not cohesive or is imbalanced. Family disintegration makes societies lose their moral compass.”
The monarch emphasized the need for continued adherence to these values amidst shifting global dynamics that often challenge traditional principles.
“Values are sometimes abandoned altogether” in the face of “profound and rapid shifts in the world today,” noted King Mohammed VI.
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The Family Code is a set of laws that govern family matters in Morocco. It addresses issues related to marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, and more.
The Moudawana underwent significant revisions in 2004, including improvements in family law and women’s rights, such as granting women the right to file for divorce.
These changes prompted varied reactions, particularly from conservative groups such as the Islamist Justice and Development Party PJD, who expressed strong opposition and staged large protests.
Since King Mohammed VI tasked the head of the government Aziz Akhanouch with the responsibility of revising the Moudawana last month, a number of Moroccans have echoed similar worries.
Many individuals took to social media in recent weeks, launching online campaigns to voice their reservations about the proposed revisions.
Meanwhile, Moroccan NGOs and women’s rights activists are eagerly anticipating the revisions.
The King called on the government to submit draft recommendations based on consultations within six months before preparing and submitting a bill for parliamentary approval.
