Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane

Al Adl wal Ihsane (in French "Justice et Bienfaisance") is a Moroccan Islamist association, founded by Cheikh Abdesslam Yassine (not to be confused with the former head of Palestinian Hamas). Yassine acts as a charismatic leader for the organisation, which attributes him near saintly-status and operates on lines similar to those a Moroccan Sufi brotherhood (Zaouia boutchichia), of which Yassine was a member prior to his politicisation. This association is not legal but is tolerated by the Moroccan authorities.

The party advocates the transformation of Morocco into an Islamist state, ruled by its interpretation of the Shariah. Like the Muslim Brotherhood, it works for the Islamisation of the whole society, through its grassroots social welfare organisations and important presence in universities.

Contrary to the legalist Justice and Development Party, Al Adl Wa Al Ihssane has not been allowed to transform itself into a political party by the Moroccan government, it has also been argued that it's the party's choice to not do so as it refuses to enter the political game under the current political practices, which it perceives as illegitimate; the party also opposes the article of the Moroccan constitution which states that the king Mohammed VI is also Amir al-Muminin.

Cult of personality around its leader and interpretation of his dreams

The association is entirely centred around the personality of Abdesslam Yassine and practice a kind of Cult of personality; some members perceive Abdesslam Yassine as a new prophet, or at least as his messenger. Abdeslam Yassine likes to talk about his dreams; members of the association like to interpret them under a very favourable light for the leader.

Through the year 2005, the association reportedly developed the idea of a "qawma", a revolution, for 2006, after a series of dreams done by Cheikh Yassine and association members. Many Adlists think these dreams refer to the immediate abolition of the monarchy in Morocco and the instauration of a Caliphate. Indeed, in spring 2005, Yassine's daughter, Nadia Yassine the daughter of Abdesslam Yassine, who heads the feminist branch of the organisation, said in an interview to the Moroccan newspaper "Al Ousbouiya Al Jadida" that she believed that "Monarchy is not appropriate for Morocco". Yassine and two journalists from the newspaper are facing charges for defamation of the monarchy relating to the remarks, although her trial has twice been postponed. Publicly, the group has denied any revolutionary plans, arguing rather that Moroccan stability is at serious risk not from it but due to persistently high levels of unemployment and poverty.

External links

* [http://www.yassine.net/live.aspx?livesignup=1&cat=live Video about Al-Adl wa Al Ihssane]
* http://www.yassine.net
* http://www.aljamaa.com
* [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370036 Chris Zambelis, "Crackdown Against Islamist Opposition in Morocco Intensifies,"] "Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Focus," Volume 3, Issue 24, June 20, 2006.
* [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370022 Chris Zambelis, "Morocco Cracks Down on Islamist Opposition Group JSA,"] "Jamestown Foundation Terrorism Focus," Volume 3, Issue 22, June 6, 2006.