Rabat, Mar 8 (Prensa Latina) A religious sect “of perverse ideas and strange convictions” was dissolve in several cities in Morocco, said a statement from the Ministry of Interior (MIM).
Supporters of the group revered a religious leader called “Al Mahdi al Muntadar” (the expected messiah), a concept linked more to Shiite Islam than to Moroccan religious culture.
Under the name “Yamaa Mahdauiya” (Group of the Messiah), the organization had characteristics of a cult, not least because their members often had to switch to other names because theirs were “stained”.
The fans also had to sell their property to donate the money to the organization and ask its leader’s permission to have sex with their wives.
Surrounded by a halo of mysticism, since its provenance and total membership was unknown, Yamaa Mahdauiya also received funds from abroad.
This external dependence and other imprecise defining points sought “to strengthen their compliance and ensure their loyalty to the evil practices,” adds the note of the Moroccan Ministry of Interior.
The official statement does not refer, however, extremist views, violent ideas or the use of weapons, characteristic of jihadi groups in Morocco or other faith groups in the region.
Neither do the sources specify what legal and police mechanisms were used to dismantle the organization.
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