Mauritanian Leaders Condemn Moroccan Scholar’s Comments on Sovereignty

"Morocco must become again as it was before the European colonization, of which Mauritania was not a part," Ahmed Raïssouni recently declared. Remarks that have provoked reactions in Mauritania. In a statement, the Association of Mauritanian Ulema condemned "unfriendly, strange and provocative" remarks.

"This type of call undermines the sovereignty of Mauritania and does not elicit the satisfaction of our brothers in Morocco," the association said, stressing that "our respect for our brothers in the Kingdom of Morocco cannot be done at the expense of Mauritanian sovereignty." And to add: "The leaders of Islamic organizations must conform, if they exceed tact, diplomacy and respect for territorial integrity, to the limits of Sharia."