Moroccan controversy over Mohamed El Fayed’s religious views

A controversy emerged in Morocco regarding religious comments made by researcher Mohamed El Fayed. Former Minister of Justice Mustapha Ramid rejected calls to prosecute El Fayed for treason or mockery, suggesting instead that the researcher’s statements regarding the Prophet Muhammad should be met with scientific and religious rebuttals. Ramid noted that El Fayed’s subsequent clarification regarding his memorization of the Quran served as a “veiled apology” that should be accepted to prevent the researcher from gaining unmerited fame.

Following the backlash, the Association for Human Rights and Fighting Corruption filed a legal complaint against El Fayed and sought to have the Rabat Court of First Instance question representatives of the Supreme Scientific Council. The association aimed to obtain official religious rulings on various theological topics related to El Fayed’s statements. However, the court rejected this request, ruling that it lacked a sound legal basis under the Code of Civil Procedure and noting that judicial orders are not intended to solicit religious fatwas.