Event

BOOK TALK: Contemporary Islamist Opposition in Morocco: Resisting Inclusion and Moderation

Date
3 Mar 2026
Time
17:00 UK time
Speakers
Dr Alfonso Casani
Where
St Antony's College, MEC Boardroom, Kirdar Building, 68 Woodstock Road, 62 Woodstock Road OX2 6JF
Series
Book Talks
Organiser contact
Audience
Public
Cost
FREE
Booking
Not required
'Contemporary Islamist Opposition in Morocco: Resisting Inclusion and Moderation' offers an in-depth and yet-unexplored analysis of the evolution and actions of Moroccan Islamist association Justice and Spirituality (al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane). By examining its mobilisation structure, the book enhances the understanding of Islamism as an oppositional force in non-democratic regimes, with a particular focus on Morocco. Contrary to the common premises of inclusion–moderation theory, al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane has undergone a politicisation process but rejects political inclusion; it promotes street mobilisation but refuses to resort to violence. Despite its illegal status and disregard for the regime’s red lines, al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane remains highly relevant as an anti-establishment actor.

Addressing these apparent contradictions broadens our understanding of inclusion–moderation approaches by introducing novel explanatory factors into the relationship between authoritarian regimes and Islamist opposition actors, including responses to shifts in opportunity structures and the effects of internal dynamics and learning mechanisms. It also deepens our knowledge of al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane, Morocco’s largest opposition actor, which nevertheless remains largely understudied.

https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-contemporary-islamist-opposition-in-morocco.html