MOROCCO: PEOPLE MARCH IN RABAT BRANDING THE UNITED STATES A "TERRORIST STATE" AND CALLING FOR JIHAD

Record ID: 337991

  • Title: MOROCCO: PEOPLE MARCH IN RABAT BRANDING THE UNITED STATES A "TERRORIST STATE" AND CALLING FOR JIHAD
  • Date: 23rd February 2003
  • Summary: (W5) RABAT, MOROCCO (FEBRUARY 23, 2003) (REUTERS -- ACCESS ALL) 1. MCU/SV OF ANTI-WAR DEMONSTRATIONS / PLACARDS / BANNERS (8 SHOTS) 0.53 2. AERIAL VIEWS OF DEMONSTRATIONS (3 SHOTS) 1.26 3. MCU (Arabic) ABDERRAHMAN YOUSSOUFI, LEADER OF SOCIALIST PARTY AND FORMER MOROCCAN PRIME MINISTER, SAYING: "Our message is to express our solidarity with all the people who took to the streets to express their solidarity with the Iraqi people. At the same time we denounce plots that try to undermine the integrity of Iraq as a country." 1.51 4. TV OF DEMONSTRATIONS / CHANTING (2 SHOTS) 2.03 5. MCU (English) UNIDENTIFIED PROTESTER SAYING: "We are here because we support peace solutions and not war solutions. We would like for that solution to come up instead of war. That's why we are here." 2.12 6. AERIAL VIEW OF PROTESTERS MARCHING THROUGH STREETS 2.25 7. SV/MCU PROTESTERS HOLDING IRAQI FLAG, PLACARDS AND PICTURES OF IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN / PROTESTERS CHANTING (5 SHOTS) 2.57 8. SV/SLV OF SECURITY (2 SHOTS) 3.08 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 10th March 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: RABAT, MOROCCO
  • Country: Morocco
  • Reuters ID: LVA58UFLWFOJV96LZEBTC24RY5XW
  • Story Text: Up to 30,000 people have marched in the Moroccan
    capital Rabat, branding the United States a "terrorist state"
    for its drive to strike Iraq and calling for jihad (holy
    struggle) against Israel.



    Witnesses estimated the number of demonstrators
    marching on Sunday (February 23) at around 30,000 although
    organisers gave higher figures.

    Bearded men and veiled women, mainly of the outlawed
    al-Adl wal Ihssane group outnumbered militants from other
    political parties.

    "Bush we know you, your father was a killer too," read a
    placard carried by one protester. "No to a free trade zone
    with the war traders", another said, referring to ongoing
    trade talks between Morocco and the United States.

    In a clear address to leaders of Arab states, the
    militants chanted: "You repressed the peoples and sold Iraq"
    and "Tell the traders of peace that Palestine is Islamic: No
    talks, no peace and no submissive solutions".

    "We are here because we support peace solutions and not
    war solutions. We would like for that solution to come up
    instead of war. That's why we are here," said one protester.

    The demonstrators carried large Iraqi flags and dispersed
    peacefully some four hours later under a strong deployment of
    police.

    Abderrahman Youssoufi, leader of the Socialist Party and
    former Moroccan Prime Minister pledged his support to the
    demonstration.

    "Our message is to express our solidarity with all the
    people who took to the streets to express their solidarity
    with the Iraqi people. At the same time we denounce plots that
    try to undermine the integrity of Iraq as a country," he said.

    Authorities ban al-Adl wal Ihssane's demonstrations and
    activities and its publications are subject to frequent
    censorship.

    The group, seen as the main opposition political force in
    Morocco, enjoys strong support in poor areas and in
    universities.

    Morocco was among Arab states that took part in a U.S.-led
    coalition in 1991 to oust Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

    Al Adl wal Ihssane's spiritual leader, Sheikh Abdessalam
    Yassine, has been under house arrest for almost 10 years for
    challenging the late King Hassan's political powers, including
    his status as spiritual leader of Muslims.



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