Extremist Groups Claim Morocco Earthquake as Divine Retribution, Criticize Aid Efforts

"To begin with: May Almighty Allah accept all the monotheists (those who support the IS doctrine, ed.) who died in the earthquake, heal all the monotheists who were injured and compensate all the monotheists for the damage they suffered. Praise be to Allah for having rid the country and the faithful of sinners and other immoral people, and for having demolished immoral sites and sanctuaries," writes Ahlam Al-Nasr, in an article published by the pro-Islamic State (IS) Telegram channel "Awar Al-Haq". According to her, the powerful and devastating earthquake that occurred in Morocco on the night of Friday, September 8 is a divine "lesson" intended to remind Muslims of their commitment to their religion, a divine punishment for those who fight Daesh.

"Corruption has spread on earth and at sea because of the actions of people and polytheism. Heresies and superstitions have spread, and the caliphate has been fought even though it is the command of Almighty Allah and the essence of our existence in life. And vice has spread and climbed the peaks [...] - Will this [corruption] and other similar scourges remain without responsibility or punishment?!" questions Ahlam Al-Nasr, explaining that it "has become evident that the Lord, Blessed and Most High, is angry," and that "the earthquake in Morocco is just an example." And to advise: "Whoever really wants to escape the wrath of Almighty Allah must re-evaluate his actions and understand that such sins are committed by fools, [and] are not a challenge, [and that] these absurdities are used by those who are slaves to their passion and Satan".

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"The earthquake is a warning message from Allah to sinful Muslims," writes for his part Fu’ad Al-Khatib, an Al-Qaeda supporter who runs the Telegram channel "Untitled", posting a video showing men and women dancing at a wedding party in Marrakech at the time of the earthquake. "Morocco - songs, music, dance and mixing [of the sexes] during the earthquake. "See the mercy of Almighty Allah and His patience towards those who disobey Him publicly. If Allah wanted to bury them [...] they would all have become, in the blink of an eye, mere numbers among the victims, but He has been merciful to them and gives them a new opportunity that must be seized and respected before it is too late," he commented.

The leader of the jihadist group Ahrar Al-Sham based in Syria, Abu ’Obaida, has also criticized the international aid received by Morocco and Libya, hit by deadly floods: "The Libyan tragedy is shedding more and more tears and heartache day by day. It was preceded by the earthquake in Morocco. As usual, the hypocrisy of the international order in the aid provided to the victims of Islamic countries is evident."