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Edinburgh Studies on the Maghreb

Contemporary Islamist Opposition in MoroccoResisting Inclusion and Moderation

By Alfonso Casani

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£19.99

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Published 31 March 2027

About this book

Offers an in-depth analysis of the evolution and actions of al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane and its mobilisation structure

  • Enhances the understanding of Islamist movements as opposition forces in non-democratic regimes, with a particular focus in Morocco, through a case study of Islamist movement Justice and Spirituality (al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane)
  • Sheds light on critical theoretical questions concerning the inclusion-moderation theory by analysing al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane’s evolution and actions
  • Provides first-hand information about al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane and its mobilisation structure, a movement rarely explored due to its illegal status and the constraints on fieldwork
  • Draws on primary sources in Arabic and a broad corpus of in-depth interviews with the actors involved

This book 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.

This book fills a significant gap in knowledge about al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane. It further broadens the understanding of inclusion–moderation theory by introducing novel explanatory factors for al-Adl wa-l-Ihsane’s evolution and strategies, such as responses to shifts in opportunity structures and the impact of internal dynamics and learning mechanisms.

Reviews

The book – a case study of one movement – is perfectly situated in the current literature on the way in which Islamist movements behave. It in fact presents a rather unique case of Islamism, which is neither moderating in the traditional sense nor radicalising due to it being shut out of institutional power. This is an excellent book about important and under-studied movements within the broad church of Islamism. It offers a new understanding of how politicisation, moderation and inclusion occur in practice through the study of a movement that does not conform to what we know of Islamist movements more broadly.
The study fills an important gap in our understanding of the primary Islamist movement in Morocco, including its evolution, vision, strategies and tactics. Alfonso Casani is conversant with all of the relevant literature on the subject. The author’s deep dive into AWI provides a clear and nuanced picture of how the organisation functions and how it has evolved, in light of changing circumstances. The book is also theoretically informed, and will contribute a new perspective to the literature on Islamist movements.
Contemporary Islamist Opposition in Morocco is a timely and insightful contribution to the study of Islamist movements in North Africa and the Middle East and, more broadly, to debates surrounding the inclusion–moderation hypothesis in political science. Drawing on rich empirical research, Casani offers a nuanced analysis of al-ʿAdl wa-l-Ih.sān (Justice and Spirituality Association, hereafter AWI), Morocco’s most prominent Islamist opposition movement, situating it as a “deviant” case that challenges mainstream assumptions about Islamist trajectories towards either institutional participation or radicalisation.
Contemporary Islamist Opposition in Morocco is a significant contribution to the study of political Islam and authoritarian governance. By demonstrating that politicization does not necessarily lead to institutional moderation, Casani challenges entrenched assumptions and opens new analytical pathways. His work invites scholars to rethink the relationship between inclusion, moderation, and political transformation. It shows that resistance to incorporation can constitute a coherent and enduring form of political engagement. As such, it is an essential reference for scholars of Moroccan politics, political Islam, and comparative authoritarianism.
Table of contents

List of Figures and Tables
Acknowledgements

  1. Introduction: The Inclusion-Moderation Approach to Political Islam in Morocco
  2. AWI and the Emergence of Islamism as an Opposition Force
  3. AWI as a Religious Actor: Women, Terrorism and Islamic Visions
  4. AWI as a Political Actor: The Anti-authoritarian Demonstrations of 2011
  5. The Post-Arab Spring, Post-Sheikh Yassine Era: The Politicisation Process of AWI
  6. Conclusion

Appendix A
Appendix B
Bibliography
Index

About the author

Alfonso Casani

Alfonso Casani is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the Complutense University of Madrid (Spain). He is Research associate of the Group of Studies on the Arab and Muslim Societies (GRESAM) at the University of Castilla-la Mancha and the Complutense Research Group on the Maghreb and Middle East (GICMOM) at the Complutense University of Madrid. His research interests focus on the study of political Islam, opposition dynamics and social movements in North Africa. He is co-editor of El impacto de la Guerra de Ucrania en el norte de África y Oriente Medio (Dyckinson). His articles have recently been published in journals such as Democratization, Contemporary Politics and the Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding.

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