*Thousands march across Morocco today, calling into question recent king-led reforms.* ** *Videos of February 20th Movement demonstration on December 18th * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67MYIJo8HNs&feature=share
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=JMpK7Wl1-hY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxWPJ6ZeOeM&feature=player_embedded *February 20th Movement poster of call for a demonstration on December 25th * http://twitter.com/#!/mariammaslouhi/status/149568104001835008/photo/1/large Rumors Surround Islamist Groups Pull Out from Moroccan Protest Movement Demonstrators take part in a rally organized by the February 20 Movement to denounce the election results in Rabat 27 November 2011. (Photo: REUTERS - Stringer) By: Imad Estito <http://english.al-akhbar.com/author/imad-estito> [1] Published Thursday, December 22, 2011 *The powerful Islamist Justice and Charity group has decided to part ways with the February 20 movement which emerged in Morocco as part of the Arab Spring protests, raising questions about what prompted the decision.* The banned Moroccan Justice and Charity (JC) Islamist group announced in a statement on Monday that it has decided to pull out of the February 20 movement. Ever since its first protest earlier this year, the movement has been leading peaceful actions in Morocco, with the JC group playing a key role in its rallies. It was through the February 20 movement that the JC group reappeared once again on the Moroccan political scene. The timing of the surprise announcement raised many questions regarding the decision reached by the groups political bureau. Did the JC finally submit to calls by Moroccos new Islamist prime minister, Abdelilah Benkirane, to start pursuing their politics within the legal political framework? Was there a settlement reached behind the scenes to make the most ardent opposition group to the Moroccan regime detach itself from the popular movement it has been associated with since February? *Many linked JCs withdrawal, and its timing, to messages that may have been conveyed during meetings between American diplomats and the groups leaders, following the recent Islamist electoral victory. * The move may be understood as a form of implicit support for the new government, led by the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD). Sources said that the leadership instructed its supporters not to raise slogans opposed to the PJD. The groups withdrawal statement was vague and contradictory. Although it covered many issues, there was no reference to the real reasons behind its decision. *It contained veiled accusations against leftists and independent participants in the protest movement. * The February 20 movement is full of those whose main concern is to discourage the youth, spread rumors, and poison the atmosphere. They also insist on imposing certain limitations and conditions that, in effect, transform the movement from a force for real change to a vehicle for letting off steam. They have also turned the movement into a means for settling personal scores with imaginary rivals, the statement said. Moreover, there have been attempts to push this movement in a certain ideological or political direction far from the Muslim identity of the Moroccan people, and in contradiction to movements in all Arab countries, the statement continued. JC did however concede that the peaceful group demanding change has many important achievements under its belt, such as breaking the fear barrier and opening peoples horizons once again. Nevertheless, JC has decided to refrain from participating in the February 20 movements protests, while maintaining the legitimacy of its demands and supporting its call for a national dialogue that unites all those working to build a just system. Sources inside JC deny that the groups withdrawal betrays the Moroccan peoples struggle against tyranny, nor is it a favor for the PJD, which fears the rise of a popular opposition movement led by Islamists. The same sources point out that the statement is clear about its position on the PJD and the elections. The elections were similar to previous polls in terms of organization and supervision. In the end, PJD won the elections and formed a token cabinet lacking power and capabilities in an attempt to absorb popular anger, prolong the life of the ruling class, end peoples hope for real change, and smear the Islamists reputation, quoted the source. He also asserted that the February 20 movement overshadowed the JC while demanding a great effort from them at the same time. Therefore, the sources add, the time has come to tend to JCs internal affairs. Before the split, JC had neglected its advocacy and educational work for many months. Independents and leftists in February 20 received news of the withdrawal with a mix of relief and anticipation. Even though those activists recognize the value of JCs contribution to the movement, they all agree that the groups withdrawal will render the movements actions and goals clear and unambiguous. This article is an edited translation from the Arabic Edition. Imad Estito Tags - *Section*: Mideast & North Africa<http://english.al-akhbar.com/section/news-politics/mideast-north-africa> [2] - *Category*: Articles <http://english.al-akhbar.com/category/articles> [3] [image: Creative Commons License]<http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/> ------------------------------ *Source URL:* http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/rumors-surround-islamist-group%E2%80%99s-pull-out-moroccan-protest-movement [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- LAAMN: Los Angeles Alternative Media Network --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Unsubscribe: <mailto:laamn-unsubscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe: <mailto:laamn-subscr...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Digest: <mailto:laamn-dig...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Help: <mailto:laamn-ow...@egroups.com?subject=laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post: <mailto:la...@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive1: <http://www.egroups.com/messages/laamn> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Archive2: <http://www.mail-archive.com/laamn@egroups.com> --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Yahoo! 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