This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
Hibapress-Rabat-MJ
In a new stage which reflects the growing presence of Moroccan talents in international forums, Abdelwahab Rafiki, intellectual and researcher specializing in questions of extremism and religious reform, was elected member of the permanent commission independent of human rights of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), during the elections held on the sidelines of the 51st Session Member States of the OIC, which was held in Istanbul, in the Republic of Türkiye.
Abdelwahab Rafiki, formerly known as Abu Hafs, is one of the new most eminent intellectual faces in the Muslim world. He has accumulated a distinguished academic and intellectual career which combines in -depth legal training, contemporary social studies and expertise in questions of religious transformation and violent extremism.
Professor Rafiki is currently an advisor to the office of the Minister of Justice, heads the Center for Studies, Mediation and Reflection (Wa3y), chairs the Scientific Research Committee of the International Organization for Information and Security Technologies (CISEG), based in Barcelona, and is a member of the network of regional experts from the German Institute Berghof.
Born in Casablanca in 1974, he holds a license in Sharia law from the University of Medina, a master’s degree in philosophy of the Faculty of Letters of Fez and a doctoral thesis in sociology. He is the author of dozens of publications published in Moroccan and international newspapers and periodicals in three languages (Arabic, French and Spanish), mainly dealing with questions of religious reform, freedom of belief and radicalization.
Abdelwa Rafiki’s personal and intellectual trajectory has a particular symbolism, because it is a model of deep intellectual transformation, going from a leading position in the Salafist movement at the beginning of the millennium to one of the daring voices defending the values of tolerance, freedom and human rights, after a harsh personal experience that led him to prison for nine years, before he benefits from a royal grace allowed him to resume his intellectual career and human rights defender.
Its entry to the permanent committee independent of human rights of the organization of Islamic cooperation should constitute a qualitative contribution, strengthening the presence of moderate Moroccan voice and contributing to the promotion of human rights culture within the Islamic space
