When religion and politics suffocated together in a pool of populism
It was no coincidence that Islamic movements rose to the forefront of the Moroccan political scene during a moment of historical upheaval. They infiltrated the hearts of millions of Moroccans through the gateways of “identity,” “justice,” and “combating corruption,” presenting themselves as a moral savior in a time of political betrayal. However, history teaches us that it is not intentions that create transformations, but rather competence, vision, and the capacity for change. Unfortunately, all of these were utterly lacking in the experience of Islamists in Morocco.
Since their arrival in Parliament and state institutions, the structural weakness of the Islamic ideology has been exposed. It became evident that their discourse was designed for emotional impact rather than political construction. They excelled in oratory over legislation, skillfully stirring public sentiment instead of effectively managing issues. When confronted with the reality of power, they faced a resounding moral and political downfall, betraying their promises, allying with those they had politically condemned, and remaining silent on the corruption they vowed to fight.
Islamic ideology in Moroccan politics has turned into a diluted version of religion-masked populism. Rather than presenting a project that balances religious reference with the demands of a modern state, they fell prey to narrow electoral calculations, justifying their actions in the name of “political realism.” We witnessed how concepts like “governance,” “combating privileges,” and “austerity” became political knives used against the middle class, while circles of privilege remained untouched.
Did the Moroccan people expect a party that raised the banner of “Islam is the solution” to pass austerity laws that would break the back of the ordinary citizen? Did they anticipate a defense of normalization without shame, or the preservation of elite privileges while asking the poor to tighten their belts?
People quickly discovered that the “Islamic project” was, at its core, an authoritarian project dressed in a religious guise, not significantly different from prior projects, except in its capacity to exploit the sacred.
And because they did not come from deep political backgrounds, but instead from closed educational institutions, the Islamists had little to offer other than slogans. There were no clear economic visions, no genuine reform programs, no comprehensive social project. Instead of modernizing the ideology to align with monumental changes, they preferred to live in a time of “empowerment,” “caliphate,” and “ummah,” as if Morocco existed outside of history.
Over time, the Islamic political profile has only drawn ridicule. They have rolled from the image of the “pious activist” to that of the “bearded opportunist,” reciting verses in Parliament while secretly defending greedy neoliberal policies behind the scenes, offering lessons in morality while living at the table of power. This deadly duality has stripped the Islamic project of its moral legitimacy before its political validity, widening the gap between politics and society.
Today, political Islam in Morocco has lost its allure, not because people, after the stunning collapse of the Justice and Development Party, turned their backs on religion, but because they denounced the politicization of religion and its reduction to a sordid electoral tactic. It has become clear that sanctity does not create statesmen, that a beard does not produce institutions, and that lofty speeches do not solve the crises of the economy, education, and health.
Moreover, perhaps the most dangerous legacy of this ideology is that it has killed hope in politics itself. It contributed to the spread of a culture of indifference and nihilism after betraying large segments of the population that saw it as an alternative.
