Morocco's Islamist prime minister warns criticism of Prophet Muhammad 'not acceptable'

Published January 13, 2015

Morocco's Islamist prime minister says it's unacceptable to criticize the Prophet Muhammad, entering a war of words between a secular activist and hardline Salafists that has strained the balance between freedom of expression and religious sensitivities.

Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane took a not-so-veiled swipe at secular activist Ahmed Assid at a party rally late Saturday in Rabat. While not mentioning Assid by name, Benkirane said respect must be given to the overwhelmingly Muslim country's values.

Assid has drawn fire for saying a Moroccan school textbook has implied that Islam could be imposed by force.

At least one Salafist leader retorted that Assid was trying to paint Muhammad as a terrorist — a claim Assid denies — and called Assid an "unbeliever," which could be seen as an incitement to violence.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/moroccos-islamist-prime-minister-warns-criticism-of-prophet-muhammad-not-acceptable