Today, Sunday, the International Union of Muslim Scholars announced the acceptance of the resignation of its president, Sheikh Ahmed Raissouni, after his statements about the Western Sahara sparked controversy.
Hours ago, Raissouni submitted his resignation from the presidency of the federation (based in Doha) in a statement, justifying his decision by "adhering to his firm, firm positions and opinions that do not accept compromise, and in order to exercise his freedom of expression without conditions or pressure."
Raissouni had stated that the Moroccans are ready to march towards Tindouf to liberate their desert, and pointed out that "even the existence of Mauritania is wrong, as well as the Sahara, and Morocco must return to what it was before the European invasion."
The Board of Trustees responds to Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Raissouni’s desire to resign.. He refers the decision to the Extraordinary General Assembly (statement)
more: https://t.co/tkAmQ3DVkH# Raissouni l #statement pic.twitter.com/m8pWIEgKah
- Muslim Scholars (@iumsonline) August 28, 2022
In response to the resignation, the Union said in a statement that the Board of Trustees of the International Union of Muslim Scholars agreed to respond to Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Raissouni's desire to resign from the presidency of the Union.
The union's statement added that the interest prevailed and based on what was stipulated in the statute of the union, it referred it to the extraordinary general assembly as it is the competent authority to decide on it within a maximum period of one month.
On August 17, the Secretary-General of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Ali Al-Qara Daghi, said that the union's position on the statements of its president, Ahmed Raissouni, in a recent television interview about the disputed Sahara region, "represents him alone and does not represent Muslim scholars."
Al-Qara Daghi explained that the constitution of the International Union of Muslim Scholars stipulates that the opinion that is assigned to the Union is the opinion that is agreed upon and signed by the President and the Secretary General after advice and then issued in the name of the Union, and based on this principle, interviews or articles for the President or Secretary General express an opinion It is said only, and does not necessarily express the opinion of the Federation.
Raissouni's statements about the Sahara region - in an interview with the Moroccan "Blanca Press" website (independent) in mid-August - provoked angry reactions in Algeria, especially from Islamist-oriented parties, and demanded his dismissal from his position.
Rabat insists on its right to the Sahara, and proposes an expanded autonomy solution under its sovereignty, while the Polisario Front - which is supported by Algeria - is demanding the organization of a referendum to decide the fate of the region.