| My Loyal Subjects,
I have promised to be frank and sincere with you at
all times, whatever the circumstances. I refrained
from addressing the nation immediately after the terrorist
attacks were perpetrated in Casablanca and from telling
you that we had won the battle against terrorism in
just one night or over a period of a few days. As
I trust your wisdom and clear-sightedness, and as
I believe in our mutual commitment to share our responsibilities
at all times and to confront difficult situations
courageously, I felt that this was a time for action
and determination.
As you were able to see, I immediately issued orders
which made it possible to bring the situation under
control. In this connection, I wish to commend the
efforts made by the citizens and by the various public
authorities who will remain constantly mobilized,
ready to help you and to provide for the nation's
stability.
To draw the necessary lessons from what happened and
to work together to prevent recurrence of such events,
I thought I should speak to you today and share with
citizens in general, and with the inhabitants of Casablanca
in particular, their emotions, their strong indignation
and their outright rejection of such vile and despicable
terrorism. I wish to offer, once more, my deepest
sympathy to the families of the innocent victims,
Moroccans and foreigners alike.
As a token of the nation's solidarity with the stricken
families, among my loyal subjects, I have decided
that they should be given special financial assistance.
The terrorist aggression is incompatible with our
identity and with our tolerant faith. Furthermore,
its instigators, like the perpetrators, are wretched
rogues who can in no way claim to be Moroccans or
true Muslims, as they do not even know that tolerance
is one of the characteristics of Islam which forbids
bloodshed and considers that taking the life of a
human being unjustifiably is tantamount to slaying
the whole of mankind, and which regards Jihad as an
ongoing effort to control one's bad inclinations and
disseminate good, rather than spread the seeds of
discord and murder.
I am pleased and proud to see how Moroccans rose up
spontaneously and unanimously against those who betrayed
the country and treacherously and wilfully slaughtered
innocent people. I am also delighted to see the broad
international support extended by friendly nations
to Morocco in this ordeal. Yet, we should not forget
that what happened in Casablanca could have happened
in any other place.
Aware of the dangers of terrorist threats, the State
has shouldered its responsibilities and striven to
ward off such risks through the force of law and also
through the draft legislation which was submitted
to Parliament months ago. However, some circles resorted
to systematic filibustering, thwarting government
plans and policies and misusing the freedom of opinion.
To all of them, I say : exercising one's rights and
freedoms entails necessarily that the duties and obligations
inherently attached to citizenship be fulfilled. Indeed,
building and consolidating democracy is a process
which can only succeed in a strong State which derives
its power from the rule of law.
The moment of truth has come, heralding the end of
the era of leniency in dealing with people who take
advantage of democracy to undermine the authority
of the state, those who spread ideas which create
fertile ground to sow the seeds of ostracism, fanaticism
and discord, and also those who are bent on preventing
the public and judicial authorities from displaying
the firmness required by the law, in their effort
to protect the integrity and security of people and
property.My Loyal Subjects,
I was extremely moved to see this imposing national
march in Casablanca, the largest ever organized in
favour of peace and tolerance, and against violence
and fanaticism. This march, without precedent in Casablanca,
was another warning that this city cannot be daunted
by the crimes of a gang of villainous thugs. Notwithstanding
the difference in context, I proudly thought, just
like you, of the atmosphere of the glorious Green
March and what it symbolized in terms of harmony between
the Throne and the people. Whenever the nation or
its sacred values and institutions came under threat,
a mood of general alertness, vigilance and mobilization
would develop, either to preserve the Kingdom's territorial
integrity or to build our project for a democratic,
modern society.
My loyal subjects, you have shown how strongly committed
you are to seeing our project achieved in perfect
harmony between the different sections of society,
the various Regions of the Kingdom and all the nation's
political parties, associations, cultural and religious
organizations.
By responding vigorously to the aggressors' conspiracy,
you have shown even more strength and tenacity as
well as a greater determination to build a united,
democratic nation, moving towards progress, displaying
solidarity and tolerance. This the only alternative
Moroccans have. They have made it their own, deliberate
choice because they believe firmly in its ideals and
are set on making this project a tangible reality.
To my loyal subjects who are strongly attached
to the immutable foundations of their civilization,
their sacred institutions and values, and their
democratic achievements, I say : terrorism will
not prevail. Morocco will remain faithful to its
international commitments and will continue, under
my leadership, to strive with faith, confidence
and determination to make our project for a modern,
democratic society, a tangible reality. They will
find me, as their first servant, in the front line,
repelling anyone who attempts to pull the country
backward. They will find me in the forefront, spearheading,
with God's help, their march towards progress and
their struggle to win the battle that really counts,
and that we are waging together against underdevelopment,
ignorance, insulation and ostracism.
We will win this battle thanks to our comprehensive,
integrated and multi-dimensional strategy. In its
political, institutional and security-related aspects,
this strategy seeks to introduce more rigour and
efficiency, in a democratic environment, under the
rule of law. In the economic and social fields,
its aim is to stimulate free enterprise initiatives,
release energies and channel them towards the objectives
of development and solidarity. As for the religious,
educational, cultural and media aspects, the strategy
seeks to provide the citizen with education and
training and inculcate in him the virtues of openness,
modernity, rational thinking, conscientiousness,
righteousness, moderation and tolerance. We firmly
intend to carry on with the necessary policies to
implement this strategy. Our ultimate objective,
with God's help, is to enhance the dignity of the
citizen, to safeguard the nation and to preserve
its international standing.
Wassalamu Alaikum.
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