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Morocco to regulate the building of mosques

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, January 19, 2007

CAIRO — Morocco has enacted a law that restricts the construction of mosques.

Parliament approved legislation that increases supervision over Islamic charities and activities. The new law, passed on Jan. 16, would regulate donations for the construction of mosques, Middle East Newsline reported.

Under the bill, donors must register with Moroccan authorities before establishing or contributing to a mosque fund. The law also stipulated that a special permit would be required for the construction of a Muslim house of worship.

Islamic Affairs Minister Ahmed Al Tawfiq said the law was meant to prevent the exploitation of mosques. Al Tawfiq denied that the legislation was recommended by Morocco's allies in the West.

Islamic organizations expressed concern that the new law would block the construction of mosques. Many mosques built in Morocco and the rest of the Arab world stem from donations by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council states.

The law comes as Morocco and other North African states have been battling Al Qaida infiltration, particularly by the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call. On Thursday, a Tunisian court convicted a Tunisian national of belonging to the Salafists. Zied Ghodhbane, 27, was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Two other defendants were convicted in absentia.


Copyright © 2007 East West Services, Inc.

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