Meet Morocco’s New Islamist Prime Minister
- Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:00pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Abdelilah Benkirane, the secretary general of Morocco's Justice and Development Party speaks during a news conference after the party won 107 seats in the 395-seat legislature following a nationwide vote two days earlier, at the party's headquarters in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011. (AP Photo/Abdeljalil Bounhar)
RABAT, Morocco (The Blaze/AP) — The leader of an Islamist party that has never before participated in Morocco‘s governments was chosen by the king as the country’s new head of government on Tuesday.
The Justice and Development Party won the most votes Friday in a national election prompted by the pro-democracy demonstrations that swept this North African kingdom of 32 million earlier this year as part of the region-wide Arab Spring.
King Mohammed VI received Abdelilah Benkirane, the secretary general of the Justice and Development Party, in the mountain town of Midelt on Tuesday and named him head of government with the task of forming a governing coalition.
It would have been unthinkable just a year ago for a member of the opposition PJD to lead the government, but the Arab Spring movement forced the king to reform Morocco’s constitution and hold early elections.
Under the amended constitution, the prime minister is now a more powerful “head of government” and he must come from the party that won the most votes in the election. The PJD took 107 seats out of the 395 in Parliament, almost twice as many as the second-place finisher.
Abdelilah Benkirane (AP Photo)
With its outsider status, the PJD is expected to test the limits of the newly empowered prime minister’s position.
The party is considered quite “moderate” on the spectrum of Islamist groups and it has not focused on issues like the women’s headscarves or the sale of alcohol in a country that relies heavily on tourism from Europe.
The party has instead talked about fighting the rampant corruption, reforming the education system so it readies people for the job market, and combating the widespread unemployment.
With the fall or weakening of Western-backed secular dictatorships, people across North Africa have been turning to Islamist parties that have been in the opposition as an alternative.
The PJD‘s victory follows that of Tunisia’s Islamist Ennahda Party in an election there last month. And voters in Egypt are currently turning out in droves for an election there that is expected to boost Islamist parties.
Benkirane, who was elected head of his party in 2008, leads its more conciliatory pro-monarchy faction and has repeatedly stated his support for a strong king, even while his colleagues would prefer a less powerful ruler.
“The head of the state is the king and no can govern without him. If someone can do it, it is certainly not Abdelilah Benkirane,” he told cheering supporters Sunday after election results showed his party’s strong finish.
Only 6 million people out of a potential electorate of 21 million voted in Friday’s election and many boycotted out of disgust or apathy with what is perceived as a corrupt political system.
Politics in Morocco has long involved coalition governments made up of several weak parties, dominated by an all-powerful king and his unelected advisers.
Bringing in an opposition party to run the government has been used before by the monarchy as a way of restoring its legitimacy.
“The PJD is aware that the political situation in Morocco is very tense,” said Benkirane on Sunday. “I promise a strong government that will give hope to Moroccans.”
He added that ministers would be chosen for their competence and not just political affiliations.
In the past, however, when the opposition has joined the government, little has changed and the public has soon lost faith in it as well.
After the venerable left of center Union of Progressive Socialist Forces joined in the government in 1997, it soon was perceived as just another party currying favor with the palace.
Benkirane told The Associated Press in an interview before elections that the Makhzen, the code word for the royal establishment that controls all, must realize that the old games must change in the face of a new political environment.
“The Makhzen will have to become a bit reasonable. It must understand that it can sacrifice the political parties and the PJD, but that will not resolve the problem,” he said.
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heartitorleaveit
Posted on December 2, 2011 at 1:45amOur good friend sirhansirhan has challenged us to provide proof that Islam is the religion of the antichrist! Here ya go…. Qur’an 22:52
Report Post »“Satan Cast a False Qur‘an Revelation on the Messenger of Allah’s Tongue.” And it‘s the same reason Qur’an 22:52 claims: “Every Messenger or Prophet before you recited the message Satan cast into his recitation.” The founders of Islam said: Ishaq:166 “Then Allah annulled what Satan had cast, and established his verses by telling him that he was like other prophets and messengers.’” Muhammad’s lord revealed: “Every Messenger or Prophet before you recited the message Satan cast into his recitation. Allah abrogates what Satan casts. Then Allah established his verses. Allah is Knower, Wise.” [Qur'an 22:52]…… One lie has been refuted with another. The 22nd surah would not be revealed for another decade. In fact, it was one of the final Medina surahs. But by reciting it, Muhammad destroyed his only alibi – denial. Now that the Qur’an has verified the Satanic Verses, Muslims cannot whisk them under the carpet without impugning Allah‘s credibility along with Muhammad’s.
Satan (made from the jinn) made part of the Qur’an, it in your own writings! If you deny this due to abbrigation, then you admit that the Qur’an is NOT THE PERFECT WORD OF GOD!
Any more proof needed? Why do you c.a.i.r. sirhan? We all would think you would find another source for your news of the world, but you always seem to be
SurhanSurhan
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:46pm@ HEARTITORLEAVEIT- WHAT DO MUSLIMS BELIEVE?
Report Post »Muslims believe in One Unique, Incomparable God; in the Angels created by Him; in the prophets through whom His revelations were brought to mankind; in the Day of Judgment and individual accountability for actions; in God’s complete authority over human destiny and in life after death. Muslims believe in a chain of prophets starting with Adam and including Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Job, Moses, Aaron, David, Solomon, Elias, Jonah, John the Baptist, and Jesus, peace be upon them. But God’s final message to man, a reconfirmation of the eternal message and a summing-up of all that has gone before was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through Gabriel.
rogue operator
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 12:57pmA new song performed by a friend “We Won’t Let America Die” shows exactly the kind of fighting spirit we need more of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=z6hvmWDYiCY
Report Post »Bill Rowland
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 7:15amThe Caliphate is coming!!
The Islamic Muslim Brotherhood gains power in another country. Their goal is to have an Islamic state that occupies as many governments as possible, a consolidation of the nations into an Islamic state ruled b y the Imans.
When that is accomplished they want to eliminate Israel. Israel can’t afford to lose and will use her nukes. Some of the mideast will be a wasteland for 50 years.
OMG
Report Post »Jack of Hearts
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 10:38amDid you fail to read the story before you posted the reply or are you being sarcastic?
Report Post »Steve
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 1:31pmThere are a few things one must come away after reading this. Based on the history of Islam, not only from the last 1400 years but within the last 10 Islam is once again rising and enforcing its power over all nations.
1) 75% of the electorate didn’t even bother to come out and vote. Corruption still turns the wheels in this country.
2) All those who claim to be true Muslims must by mandated law of Muhammad fight against all who don’t conform to the true teachings of Islam. The tensions of existing leaders within heavily populated Muslim countries know true Islam backed by those who preach the caliphate will rise up,
3) Never believe what comes from any Islamic country.
Report Post »Talmid of Yeshua
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 2:31amAnd yet another country falls under Islamic control. I’ve been saying it for about 7 years now… and was laughed at by many.. that Islam will dominate the world. Islam is the Beast of Revelation. America will fall to Islam.
Report Post »MUDFLAPS
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 9:14pmAnd they will get what they deserve.
Report Post »zoro51
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 8:15pmrhis piece of RASH is not news worthy WHO CARES ABOUT CAMELS MULSUMS WHO MURDER ALL no matter WHOM or where they are in a CULT of hate n death MUSLUMS KILL GOT IT this new camel minister or what ever it is B F D this IS not news period..
Report Post »tbl10
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:52pmWith Cain dropping out in the very near future, Michelle Bachman should get a healthy bump, she is the last true Conservative. Yeah I know she voted for the Patriotic Act, but she is still better then Dumb and Dumber. Err I meant Newt and Mitt.
Report Post »tbl10
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:55pmSorry this was meant to be a reply to conversation under 65Mustang.
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 8:58pmI have not problem with the patriot act. I have nothing to hide, if someone wants to come into my home to look. As long as they put everything back and do not ransack my home.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:41pmYeah!!! That’s the guy! He sells Ginsu knives out of his VW Bus.
Report Post »garbagecanlogic
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:14pmThis guy looks like a big time radical. Wonder how he got into office – as if we didn’t know.
The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
Report Post »The U.N. Out Of The U.S.
RossPoldark
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 9:00pmMaybe he had a little tryst with the king? I mean they are Muslim men.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:08pmthats going to go well for the people over there …………………… SARC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:42pmAnd in between work, get down and pray to Allah every two hours. How do these people get anything done…. Oh thats right , they dont… Camelhumpin freaks…
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:51pmJustice and Development Party? SHARIA law party. What is wrong with people that causes such blindness that they vote for there own decapitation??? ….thank you Jesus for who you are!
Report Post »RightPolitically
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:45pmObama’s Arab Spring will turn the Middle East into a war zone. Back to the Seventh Century they go!
Report Post »lel2007
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:31pm“rampant corruption, reforming the education system so it readies people for the job market, and combating the widespread unemployment” – Well the pretty much describes the situation in America.
Report Post »65Mustang
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:08pmDon’t think for a minute that Islamic-Muslims will not be a major force in our government in the coming years…he is already in the White House and has no plans to leave.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:41pmYep, that’s what he said, fundamentally transform our constitution and the dummies voted for him anyway! Some of the same suckers who screwed up last time are rooting for Ron Paul this time whose is promising the moon and not way of delivering! Like our enemies are gonna role over and be friends and we won’t need a military.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 6:56pmGingrich has also said that we need to transform our Constitution. So, be careful. He’s not what he appears to be.
Report Post »tbl10
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 7:57pmWith Cain dropping out in the very near future, Michelle Bachmann should get a bump in the polls. Yeah I know she voted for the Patriot Act, however she is still better then dumb and dumber. Err.. I mean Newt and Mitt.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 8:16pmWatch out SMACK is on the troll…
Report Post »Steve
Posted on November 30, 2011 at 1:38pmSmackdown purposely omits that the amendment process would be used.
Report Post »