Zawaya

Said Elakhal

Said Elakhal is a Moroccan researcher in political Islam and a journalist in the daily Al-Ahdath Al-Maghribiya.

Opinions by this panelist

Local elections, a key to assessing democratic process

The local elections held on June 12, 2009, represent a key stop in assessing the democratic process that Morocco is applying under the rule of King Mohammed VI, who has adopted a social, modern and democratic project, and seeks to… more

The doctrine of takfir: A legitimization of the principle of istehlal

Terrorism perpetrated by takfir groups known as Jihadi ones, is the embodiment of subversive doctrines held by these extremist organizations. These groups are present and dynamic thanks to these beliefs that have been distorted from their historical and doctrinal context,… more

The appointment of female spiritual guides endorses the aptitude of women in religious education

The royal initiative in Morocco to appoint female spiritual guides and preachers is a very important step on two levels: - The first level: A religious/doctrinal level that puts an end to the male monopoly of religion, and recognizes the… more

Introducing the freedom of belief to the constitution is key to ensuring religious freedoms

Religious freedoms have been witnessing further restrictions in recent years in Maghreb communities, mirroring the degree and level of pressure which has been exercised by political Islamic movements in each of the Maghreb countries. Given the fact that these Islamist… more

The Afghanization of North Africa is part of al-Qaeda's strategy

The facts and terrorist events associated with the return of Maghreb fighters from Afghanistan to their home countries proved that they have supervised the formation and training of terrorist cells, as well as the spread of Takfirism among young people… more

The role of women scholars is shaped by male dominance and Bedouin jurisprudence

Tackling the role of women scholars and jurists in the Islamic world leads us to evoking the socio-cultural and political factors that marked each era in the Islamic history. Historians and biographers are unanimous about the special place that female… more

All Maghreb bodies are condemned to paralysis due to political conflict

Religious scholars are usually the ones entrusted with the protection of religious beliefs in their communities from any distortion or fraud. These scholars are also the only party that people resort to in order to learn about religion matters. The… more

Those who blow up mosques will not hesitate to blow up stadiums

Al-Qaeda is certainly pursuing a multi-dimensional strategy, both in terms of expanding the areas of its operations and determining the nature of the targets to be destroyed, and in respect of the new generation of recruits to carry out terrorist… more

Global war on terror is the only option to defeat its threat

The execution of the French hostage Michel Germaneau, despite his age (78 years) and his humanitarian activity for the benefit of African tribes in the north of Niger, is neither the first nor the last incident of this kind. Al-Qaeda… more

Women's status reflects society's maturity and the awareness of its elites

Arab societies are witnessing social and political mobility in terms of women's rights and respected legal status as citizens, while the situations of Arab women show obvious discrepancies from a country to another. The political and civil rights that women… more

Political, doctrinal and social motives of the hijab

The phenomenon of wearing the hijab has been spreading in the Maghreb societies among women, young girls, and even 7-year-old girls. The hijab, as a dress code that covers the curves of a woman's body, does not convey the same… more

Both men and women can be Sheikhs and issue Fatwas

Women in the Arab and Islamic worlds are subject to systematic exclusion from advisory that is exclusive to men. This exclusion reflects the male mindset that considers female voices and bodies Awrah in order to keep women away from public… more

The Amgala cell, a critical cornerstone in al-Qaeda's strategy

Al-Qaeda has been seeking since 2002 to set up terrorist cells in Morocco, in order to undermine the country's stability and hit Western targets. In the summer of 2002, dormant cells that were plotting to attack ships in the Strait… more

Al-Qaeda has enough excuses to legitimize violence even against free nations

The Arab region is undergoing major changes in the wake of the peaceful popular uprisings conducted against the authoritarian regimes, and aiming to establish democracies based on the values and culture of human rights. These changes can unveil the real… more

Bin Laden's death doesn't mean the end of his doctrines of takfir and jihad

Bin Laden's elimination by a U.S. commando team is no longer questioned by Arabs after al-Qaeda's statement confirming it and vowing vengeance against the U.S. and the West. Our peoples are used to questioning events that do not match their… more

Islamic parties want a religious State in civilian clothing

The Moroccan political scene is witnessing a large-scale social movement, involving all society's groups and stakeholders, especially the February 20 movement which accelerated the process of constitutional reforms. All these forces call for change, but with different demands. The modernist… more

Dialogue is a lofty, religious and ethical value

Dialogue lies at the heart of the Islamic value system. It's a Qur'anic moral that marks the relationship of Muslims with other monotheistic people, whose freedom of religion is preserved by Islam without any restrictions. The Holy Qur'an mentions several… more

Islam does not oppose democracy and human values

The entire world is following every moment of the Arab revolutions, which are making Islamist, Salafi, leftist and liberal political activists face the following dilemma: Are they ready to respect people's choice and will? Will they commit to the democratic… more

Illiteracy and marginalization fuel extremist organizations

Extremist organizations encourage murder and death in the name of the holy "jihad" against the so-called infidels. They glorify murder and praise death in the name of "martyrdom", as they promise those who kill the "infidels" or die as "martyrs"… more

Will imam retraining reduce the risk of extremism?

Since the early 1980s, Maghreb support for youth participation in jihad in Afghanistan has brought tremendous carelessness into the religious sphere. Militant religious groups have been active in polarising young people who felt that their calls for employment and education… more

Religious movements loyal to each other

Religious movements apply the principle: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.” In the Muslim world, all religious movements — radical or moderate, jihadist or reformist, active participant or boycotter in politics, integrated or marginalised… more

Extremist ideologies feed terrorism

Terrorism draws its main inspiration from doctrines of extremism. Other factors such as social, political, and economic conditions are only elements that leaders of extremist groups exploit to attract and recruit young people to carry out criminal schemes. The young… more

Coital jihad or sanctified rape

Women have constituted fertile ground for religious fatwas throughout Islamic history. More has been written on topics related to women, whether marriage, divorce, menstruation and the postpartum period, than about politics or economics. Ijtihad scholars continue to address women, not… more