Moroccan Justice Minister Sparks Controversy with Pajama-Clad BBC Interview on Earthquake Aid

Intervening live on BBC Arabic to answer questions about Morocco’s acceptance of Algerian aid following the devastating September 8 earthquake that mourned the kingdom, Abdellatif Ouahbi appeared to be wearing a dark red pajama. A dress that did not really please Moroccan internet users. Messages of protest are pouring in on social media. Some Moroccan internet users mocked the Minister of Justice and condemned his lack of professionalism. "The Minister of Justice appears on an international channel for a statement in pajamas. God bless his self-confidence," writes a Moroccan internet user on Facebook.

Others felt that the minister’s appearance in inappropriate attire undermined Morocco’s international reputation. It is "an offense to the State of Morocco," indignantly protests another Moroccan internet user. A campaign has been launched on social media to call for his resignation. Many internet users have shared the hashtag "#Ouahbi_leave" (Ouahbi’s departure).

In January, Ouahbi had faced criticism from internet users for making a statement that, according to them, undermined the Moroccan education system. When questioned about allegations of nepotism in the bar exam, the minister said that his son had passed the exam because "his father is rich" and that he could afford to pay for his studies abroad.