Day: March 28, 2024

Social Solidarity Minister Nevine El Kabbag said a total of EGP20 million has been allocated to back Al Nas charitable hospital for children.

The minister’s remarks came on Thursday during a celebration to mark the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the hospital, with the participation of a host of ministers, senior officials, public figures and media professionals.

The minister lauded great achievements made by the hospital in the past five years to provide citizens with the best medical services.

Source: State Information Service Egypt

Casablanca – His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, may God assist Him, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid and HH Prince Moulay Ismail, chaired, on Thursday at the Royal Palace in Casablanca, the fourth religious lecture of the holy month of Ramadan 1445 AH.

The lecture was given by El Khammar El Bakkali, member of the Moroccan Council of Ulema for Europe, on the theme “The legal foundations for building modes of human coexistence”.

The speaker first explained that coexistence refers to the bonds formed among all components of society based on benevolence and respect, taking into account the interests of individuals and communities. This notion, he said, is now referred to by the concept of shared citizenship, which requires respect for cultural, religious, and ethnic specificities as essential prerequisites for peace and cooperation.

The coexistence advocated by the wise is one that stems from the shared will to uphold common Islamic values that se
rve all humanity, he emphasized, noting that coexistence revolves around the general interest that narrow personal calculations tend to obscure, either out of ignorance or tyranny.

“Therefore, within the Moroccan Council of Ulema for Europe, we have always considered our first duty to be explaining to Muslims the principles of coexistence in Islam and encouraging them to follow them,” he noted.

Regarding tyranny, including the denial of truth and the avoidance thereof, it is among the great political issues for which humans always seek to find the necessary balance. Since those facing this dilemma seek to establish universal rules of rights, it is beneficial for them to promote mutual understanding among peoples of different religions on this issue, the speaker observed.

In the same vein, he noted that regardless of the differences between the peoples or countries of the world, it is important to manage them by focusing on the commonalities that unite them in all areas, no matter how numerous they may be.
These similarities take into account commonly held beliefs within the circle of freedom, which are sacred in all religions. That is why Islam has prohibited coercion and allowed discussion in the best possible manner, that is, appropriately, in suitable circumstances and with the appropriate interlocutor.

Within this framework, the speaker identified seven legal foundations for constructing aspects of coexistence, namely fraternity, mutual understanding, communication, mutual consideration, tolerance, virtue, and justice.

From this perspective, El Bekkali clarified that the values of coexistence are reflected in the field of international relations through peace and good conduct, as well as in commercial relations between individuals, states, and peoples, and in family relationships. He pointed out that the areas of agreement and cooperation are much broader than those who, out of ignorance of the purposes of Sharia, confine themselves to truncated readings, believe.

He also indicated that while coexistenc
e is required and encompasses vast domains, Muslims must observe a series of prescriptions in this regard so that this value magnified by Islam does not become synonymous with absurdity, perversion, and decay. Among these prescriptions, he noted that coexistence must not harm any of the foundations of faith or any of the rituals imposed by categorical texts.

This coexistence must also not permit what is unlawful or be contrary to the clear texts of Sharia and the unanimous categorical opinions of Muslims at all times and in all places, he said, noting that it must also not be harmful to the Muslim community.

On another note, the speaker highlighted the primordial role of the Moroccan Council of Scholars for Europe, emphasizing the efforts it makes to make Moroccans settled in Europe an example of the values of their religion and the principles of their country, in accordance with the norms and laws in force in their host countries.

The Council, he added, is committed to promoting practical and realistic aw
areness by disseminating common human values and strengthening the religious guidance of the Moroccan community residing abroad, while promoting a good understanding of religion for all age groups, men, and women alike.

The speaker also emphasized the tangible successes of the Council in this area, particularly among the younger generation, who are engaged in memorizing the Holy Quran, understanding Islamic sciences, and promoting religious values. He also emphasized the role of Moroccan mosques in Europe, which not only focus on prayer but also aim to encourage active participation in education and guidance toward good conduct.

El Bekkali also highlighted the Council’s good relations with local authorities, based on cooperation in the service of the general interest and mutual respect, thus offering many necessary benefits to the life and religious practice of members of the Moroccan community. Regarding religious guidance, the speaker stressed the Council’s commitment to promoting authentic Moroccan relig
ious model and establishing cooperative relations with other Muslim communities.

He concluded that the Council also strives to strengthen communication and cooperation with representatives of other religions by organizing intellectual meetings and debates in a framework of mutual respect and collaboration with civil society actors.

At the end of this fourth lecture, His Majesty the King, Commander of the Faithful, was greeted by Prof. Koutoub Sano, Secretary-General of the International Academy of Islamic Jurisprudence (Guinea), Mohamed Koraichi Niass, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Senegal, Sheikh Aziz Hasanovic, Grand Mufti of Zagreb and President of the Islamic Community in Croatia, Sheikh Boubacar Doukouré, Honorary President of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema in Burkina Faso and Advisor to the President of the Republic for Cultural and Islamic Affairs, Mohammed Ridawi Ben Mohamed Ibrahim, President of the Association of Scholar
s of Sri Lanka, and Prof. Amine Safieddine Charif, a scholar from Libya.

The Sovereign was also greeted by Prof. Ismail Ibrahim Kroma, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Sierra Leone, Prof. Abdoulhakim Mohamed Chakir, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in the Comoros Islands, Prof. Tani Abderrahim Chit, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Benin, Prof. Issa Ntabola, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Burundi, Prof. Mohamed Ilias Maroual, president of the Association of Graduates of Moroccan Universities in Indonesia, and Prof. Salih Ibrahim, president of the section of the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Scholars in Uganda.

At the end of this fourth discourse, the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, presented to His Majesty the King, Commander of the Faithful, may God preserve Him, an electronic support comprising
recordings of the religious discourses delivered before the Sovereign from 1420 AH (1999 AD) to 1444 AH (2023 AD).

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Casablanca – The Casablanca Stock Exchange closed trading in the green on Thursday, with its main index, the MASI, gaining 0.04% to 12,986.94 points (pts).

The MASI.20, an index of the 20 most liquid stocks, lost 0.01% to 1,057.32 pts.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse

Rabat – The High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) has called for preserving the citizen’s right to vigilant and safe media content, against the backdrop of the case involving an on-air staging of fictitious crimes and the dissemination of false information during a radio broadcast.

In a public statement released on Thursday, HACA states that it has been monitoring the legal proceedings against citizens involved in a case of fabricating fictitious crimes, insulting a constituted body, and spreading false information during participation in a radio program.

Taking into consideration the principle of presumption of innocence, which holds that any suspect or accused of a crime is presumed innocent until their conviction is confirmed by a judicial decision, HACA recalls certain principles governing radio and television services, particularly regarding their responsibility for preserving citizens’ safety.

These principles, based on both the philosophy and spirit of the Constitution, existing legal
and regulatory provisions, and the cumulative regulatory framework achieved through HACA’s actions, do not in any way infringe upon the editorial freedom of audiovisual operators. They even contribute to the preservation of this freedom, which is the foundation of media practice and the right to information.

In this regard, HACA considers that “the establishment by the legislator of the principle of editorial responsibility of radio and television services and the duty of control over broadcasts is not an end in itself. It is rather a means of preserving the citizen’s right, as listeners and viewers, to access trustworthy, vigilant, and safe media content, which is not contradictory to the principle of freedom of audiovisual communication and the freedom of choice of operators in terms of program style and production.”

HACA constantly ensures the guarantee of honesty and integrity of information and programs, both in terms of editorial content produced and presented by radio and television professionals and
in terms of collecting and broadcasting citizens’ testimonies.

The ultimate goal of the regulator’s action when intervening to prevent misleading the listener/viewer regarding both the accuracy of the information broadcast and the identity and quality of the persons interviewed is to extend the benefit of quality information that adheres to professional ethics.

HACA emphasizes that the principles and self-regulation mechanisms as defined by the specifications of audiovisual operators are not merely “regulatory luxuries.” These principles are an important means, among others, for the consolidation of the regulatory culture.

Therefore, HACA urges all audiovisual operators to redouble their efforts in this area, to promote responsible media practices and to contribute to limiting the impact of certain harmful behaviors inherent in the unregulated digital space, which sometimes have serious repercussions in the real world.

HACA considers that the reminder of the principles and objectives of responsible radio
and television practice is an integral part of its educational mission, which it carries out in complementarity with its regulatory competencies. This mission clearly distinguishes itself from the prerogatives of other institutions and aims to strengthen citizens’ trust in the media.

Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse