Middle East war sparks ideological rift among Islamists in Morocco

The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran has ignited a deep ideological divide among Moroccan Islamists, revealing stark disagreements over which side to support in a war pitting two countries viewed with skepticism by various factions of the movement.

The Justice and Development Party (PJD), Morocco’s main Islamist political force, was quick to issue a statement denouncing what it called the “treacherous Zionist aggression” by Israel against Iran. The party condemned the attacks on Iranian cities that left civilians, leaders, and scholars dead, calling the escalation “unprecedented and barbaric.”

In its statement, the PJD characterized the strikes as a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a United Nations member state and a systematic assault on its infrastructure. The party also criticized the international community for its silence and accused the United States of complicity at all levels namely military, political, and diplomatic.

The party urged the UN Security Council, the General Assembly, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and global peace advocates to condemn the Israeli aggression and deter what it called “reckless adventures” that threaten international peace and security.

This position was echoed by the Movement for Unity and Reform, the ideological and religious wing linked to the PJD, which also blamed Israel and the U.S. for the region’s destabilization and called on the OIC to take a stand.

However, this institutional stance was met with strong opposition from other prominent figures within Morocco’s broader Islamist current, particularly those skeptical of Iran’s regional ambitions and its impact on Sunni communities.

One such voice was preacher Abdullah Nahari, who criticized fellow Islamists for siding with Iran. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Nahari rejected the binary framing of the conflict, arguing that both Israel and Iran are enemies of the Muslim world and have committed grave crimes against it.

Nahari likened the Muslim world to a “communal dish devoured by competing powers,” claiming that despite their apparent rivalry, Israel and Iran share a deep-seated hostility toward Sunni Islam. He warned against romanticizing Iran’s position due to its anti-Israel rhetoric, pointing to its alleged role in oppressing Sunni populations in countries like Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.

He went on to argue that if support for Iran is justified on anti-colonial grounds, it should also be condemned for what he described as its domination of “Ahvaz,” an Arab Sunni region in Iran, and its imposition of Persian identity at the expense of Arabic culture.

The preacher also accused Iran of far more deadly actions than Israel in recent decades, citing its involvement in the Syrian conflict and its support for allied militias in Iraq and Yemen. “If we denounce Israel for its assassinations, why remain silent about the bloodshed caused by Iran in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen?” he asked.

Nahari concluded that Iran has caused “a hundred times more bloodshed” within the Muslim community than Israel, challenging the PJD and its supporters to reassess what he views as a morally and strategically flawed alignment.

The debate underscores the ongoing tensions within Morocco’s Islamist landscape, revealing divergent views not only on international alliances but also on the principles that guide political and religious solidarity.

The post Middle East war sparks ideological rift among Islamists in Morocco appeared first on English - Morocco News .