Morocco: Islamist preacher’s call to promote chastity according to Islamic principles provokes liberal groups
The preacher, Sheikh al-Idrisi Abu Zeid, is a leading member of the Islamic Justice and Development Party (JDP), who won the last parliamentary elections on November 2011. It is likely affected by events in Tunisia, where most recently three journalists have been imprisoned for publishing a picture of a famous Tunisian footballer and his girlfriend dubbed inappropriate. The call should be viewed as a sign that the JDP will try to impose its agenda to some extent, altering the moderated Islamic attitude that characterizes Morocco thus far. If such calls will eventually consolidate in actual legislation, it is likely to bring about mounting tensions with liberal groups that may result in demonstrations.
