CASABLANCA, Morocco — For years, Mohamed Abdelwahab al-Rafiqi, also known as Abu Hafs, was a hardcore Salafist defending a strict application of Sharia and jihadist ideas. But after spending nine years in jail for inciting terrorism, his discourse has changed dramatically. Since his release in 2012, he has spoken out in defense of individual liberties and on taboo topics in Moroccan society such as freedom of conscience and the decriminalization of homosexuality.
More recently, Abu Hafs outraged conservatives by addressing an extremely sensitive subject that many political and religious actors refuse to even discuss in the kingdom and throughout the Muslim world: equality in inheritance rights between men and women. Under current Moroccan law, a female inheritor is entitled to half of what her male counterpart gets.
“I think it is time to launch this dialogue because there is a great deal of injustice against women on this issue," Abu Hafs told Al-Monitor. "Moroccan society has witnessed great social and economic developments. The law must be adapted to these changes.”
On Nov. 7, Abu Hafs plans to take part in a conference in the Moroccan town of Azrou — a new stop in the lecture tour he has launched with human rights activist and philosopher Ahmed Assid. Through live debates with the audience, he hopes to convince Moroccan youths that the inheritance issue is not a red line anymore and that it should be discussed, and hopefully changed.
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