Tens of Thousands Moroccans march against Terrorism

BBC ^ | 5/25/03 | BBC

[freedom44]

Tens of thousands of Moroccans have thronged the streets of Casablanca to voice their anger over the suicide attacks which killed 43 people.

Dozens of associations and political parties joined the march, led by Prime Minister Driss Jettou and other government officials.

The demonstration began outside the Farah Hotel - one of the targets of the 16 May bombings.

The city centre became a sea of red-and-green Moroccan flags and echoed to the chants of "Down with hate!" and "United against terrorism!"

All 15 suicide bombers are said to have come from the same slum district of Casablanca - Sidi Moumen.

Police are hunting for nine suspected Islamic militants

Moroccan civic groups had originally called the demonstration to protest not only against the bombings, but also against the economic and social conditions prevailing in some parts of the city, which they say helped to foment them.

A large crowd from Morocco's Jewish communities joined the march and demonstrators defended the country's "mosaic of cultures," the French news agency AFP reports.

A Jewish community centre was among the targets of the five co-ordinated explosions.

The deadliest explosion ripped through a Spanish social club called Casa de Espana.

Jewish community leader Serge Berdugo said on Sunday he was "proud" of the massive protest against terrorism.

The Moroccan authorities have said they believe the attacks were the work of Islamic groups working on instructions from al-Qaeda.

They say two of the 14 people identified as playing a part in the attacks are under arrest.

Agents from the US, plus Spain and France - who both lost nationals in the attacks - and Belgium, whose consulate was among the targets, have sent intelligence experts to the country.

[freedom44]

[Salvey]

Maybe this is what it's gonna take. Now, if only we'd see similar marches in other countries...like Saudi Arabia (I will not hold my breath). I believe a big demo, with a somewhat different theme, is scheduled for July 9th in Iran.

[AngrySpud]

A very encouraging sign. Common folk and decent Muslims enraged at terrorism. The same should happen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ... and Chicago, Illinois ... and Portland, Oregon ... and

[patriciaruth]

Belgium is sending agents to investigate the attack on their consulate?

Wasn't Belgium initially against sending Patriots to Turkey?

[patriciaruth]

Actually a lot of Saudis have been shocked by the attacks in Riyahd. Probably mostly because Saudis and Muslims and children were killed. But, according to one report I read, the head Iman in Saudi has now spoken out against terrorism and lesser imans are taking up the message.

A lesser message is that one doesn't kill one's guests, and the foreigners killed were guests. Violates Arab hospitality rules.

It is probably still okay to kill Americans in America, but a lot of people apparently think they have been riding a tiger and are now personally going to pay for their misplaced enthusiasms of the past if they don't dismount and get the tiger caged.

[Pubbie]

"Tens of Thousands Moroccans march against Terrorism"

To save what's left of their tourism industry... But at least this is progress...

[zarf]

I sure this will be manipulated into some "America is to blame" angle.

[maui_hawaii]

Morrocco is actually one of the best friends of the US.

[freedom44]

I wouldn't say that. Moroccans are generally very good people, and the government has been a good friend.

[Vigilanteman]

Morocco has a long history of good relations with the United States. They recognized us long before the outcome of the Revolutionary War was clear.

The French refused to let Patton land an army in North Africa to distract the Germans; Morocco promptly invited us to land there. This was in January 1942, when the Nazi empire was at it zenith and, again, the ultimate outcome of the war was in doubt.

Islam extremism has stained a very nice country and most Moroccans want no part of it.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Belgium is sending agents to investigate the attack on their consulate?

More likely going to see if their is a lucrative trade in young boys.

[breakem]

This is interesting. Talk show host Dennis Prager said on Thursday that he believed there would be no stopping of the terrorism against Isreal until Palistiniand had a revolution against Yessir and through out Hamas.

[solzhenitsyn]

Thanks, freedom44, you post great stuff.

[Coroner]

Was'nt it Morrocco that tried to take over an island owned by Spain about a year ago (in which they failed). They are just biding their time because they are too weak to take on the infidels. This is Al Taqiyya in action!!!!!

[El Conservador]

As I said, the Moroccans ("marroquíes" or "magrebíes" in the language of Cervantes) are the only ones that got the message...

[freedom44]

Oh please! Suddenly you care about Spain who were 91 percent against the war on Iraq and where anti-Americanism is so ramptant that my good friend from Spain told me that he 'hates America and hates Americans' even though he's been here for 7 years?

He told me that Bush is the biggest idiot, and Aznar is just a puppet?

I doubt you'd find the same sentiment in Morocco, considering i've heard quite different from that specific community.

More Moroccans supported our War than Spanards.

Think logically .... it might help

[Coroner]

Oh right, dont be ridiculous. I know plenty of muslims they pretty much all hate the Jews and blame them for everything. Islam knows no borders, only dar el harb or dar el islam!! Spain was one of our biggest allies during the Iraq fiasco. Spain was 91% during the war, show me some proof. More Moroccans supported the war then Spain???? Where do you get your numbers?????

[Coroner]

Next you are going to tell me that the Saudis are really our friends!!!!

[McGavin999]

The Bedoine (sp) laws of hospitality are deeply ingrained in Arabic culture. No matter what you think of someone, when they are your guest, they are your responsibility. The fact that these people were killed on Saudi soil should be a deep and humiliating embarrassment to them.

Those laws are far older than Islam.

[McGavin999]

It's true that the Spanish people were totally against the war. Aznar showed extreme courage by siding with the US. There were more than enough articles posted right here on FR about that. Just do a search.