Moroccan Islamist Party Opposes Inheritance Equality in Family Code Reform

The PJD’s position is unambiguous. The demand for equality in inheritance matters is not to the liking of the Islamists. Following an extraordinary meeting of its general secretariat, the party stated in a press release that this demand is a "serious novelty that goes against the convictions of the Moroccan Muslim society and its true expectations."

"In addition to being rejected by society, these demands will shake the family structure and weaken one of the pillars of social and family peace. Moreover, the proposed reforms constitute a threat to the stability of the country, linked to the inheritance that has persisted in Moroccan society for more than 12 centuries," it added. The party had expressed the same position on the adoption of the Moudawana reform in 2004 after the royal arbitration.

Reacting to the press release, the feminist movement denounces an "obstacle to the debate and an attack on freedom of opinion and discussion. Especially since this debate is taking place after the royal speech which calls for the reform of the Moudawana and the improvement of its provisions." It considers this position as a form of intimidation and calls on the Islamists to show rationality and "ijtihad" in a democratic climate allowing the development of innovative provisions in the service of the general interest and that of the Moroccan family.