The Moussalaha Center closed, Friday at the local prison of Salé, the 15th edition of its eponymous program which benefited 21 prisoners convicted in cases of extremism and terrorism.
This program aims to strengthen the values of citizenship and tolerance, preserve human dignity and contribute to the implementation of strategies and programs for the prevention of violent extremism and the rehabilitation of those convicted in terrorism cases.
Speaking on this occasion, the secretary general of the Rabita Mohammadia des Ulemas and president of the Mousalaha Center, Ahmed Abbadi, explained that the “Moussalaha” rehabilitation program is made up of three main axes, namely reconciliation with oneself, reconciliation with the religious text and religion and finally reconciliation with society including its laws, legislation and institutions.
In a statement to the press on the sidelines of the closing ceremony, Mr. Abbadi stressed that this initiative aims to ensure the reintegration of former prisoners and prevent recidivism.
For his part, the coordinator of the Mohammed VI Foundation for the reintegration of detainees, Abdelouahed Jamali Idrissi, indicated that the 15th edition of the Moussalaha program looked at ways of rejecting violent and hate speech while allowing detainees aimed at better understanding religion, particularly through the consecration of healthy and authentic concepts in the minds of program beneficiaries.
“The objective is to promote their reintegration into society and their involvement in initiatives aimed at better socio-professional integration,” he added.
For his part, the Director of Criminal Affairs, Pardons and Crime Surveillance at the Ministry of Justice, Hicham Mellati, noted that this edition benefited 21 detainees, bringing the total number of beneficiaries of this program to 343. since its launch.
-“This initiative reflects the global strategy to combat terrorism which is based mainly on prevention, rehabilitation and reintegration,” he noted, recalling in this regard that correctional sentences remain insufficient to eradicate extremist phenomena. and terrorism, hence the importance of adopting preventive approaches.
Inmate AM declared to MAP that his participation in the Moussalaha program is part of the recognition of his crime and his errors, welcoming the efforts made by those responsible for the program and by the General Delegation of Prison Administration and of reintegration to “correct” some of his ideas.
“Today, we have reconciled with ourselves, our religion and our society, and we hope to be active in society and contribute to the development of our country,” he said.
Detainee MM, for his part, declared having benefited from the program by following several lessons and conferences on various subjects including religion, law, economics and psychology, ensuring that he had acquired “immunity” against extremist ideologies.
At the end of the closing ceremony, the 16th edition of the Moussalaha program was kicked off with the participation of 20 inmates. The closing ceremony took place in the presence of the general delegate for Prison Administration and reintegration, Mohamed Salah Tamek, a delegation from the British Embassy in Morocco as well as representatives of institutional partners and experts.
