His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, may God assist Him, proceeded, on Friday at the university district (Madinate Al Irfane) in Rabat, to the inauguration of the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates, a pilot project that consecrates the religious influence of the Kingdom and its attachment to the fundamental precepts of Islam.
Mobilising investments of around 230 million dirhams, the new establishment, intended to welcome Moroccan Imams and others from Arab, African and European countries, is the expression of the supreme role of Imarat Al Mouminine, guarantor of the religious practice of authentic Islam, essentially tolerant and open, based on the Ash'ari dogma, the Maliki rite and Sunni Sufism.
Its realisation is part of the implementation of an integrated strategy aimed at instilling in new generations of morchidates, imams and morchidines the values of the Islam of the middle path, practised at all times in Morocco, the best bulwark against deviant extremist behaviours that affect the world.
The institute will thus play an essential role, alongside other institutions, to preserve the religious identity of Morocco which bears the seal of moderation, openness and tolerance.
This integrated, global and multidimensional religious strategy rests on three foundations, namely the institutional pillar, that of effective supervision, and modern scientific training that is constantly renewed. It is in concretisation of this last pillar that the realisation of the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates intervenes.
With a pedagogical capacity of 1,000 places, the new institute (28,687 m2), whose construction work was launched by the Sovereign on 12 May 2014, includes a pedagogical pavilion which houses amphitheatres, classrooms and computer rooms, a multi-purpose room, the "Al Oukhoua Al Islamiya" mosque, and a library endowed with a rich and varied documentary fund.
The Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates also includes an accommodation and catering pavilion comprising 310 rooms (700 beds), two refectories, as well as a socio-sports pavilion.
Besides its role in the preservation of the spiritual tranquillity of Moroccans and the unity of the Maliki rite, this establishment will have to accompany the Kingdom in its partnership with brotherly and friendly countries of Africa, notably after the decision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, to respond favourably to requests concerning the training in Morocco of imams and preachers from African countries such as Tunisia, Mali, Guinea Conakry or Ivory Coast, as well as requests emanating from European countries.
In addition to the enrolled Moroccan students, whose number reaches 150 imams morchides and 100 morchidates per year, the institute currently welcomes 447 foreign students from Mali (212 students), Tunisia (37), Guinea Conakry (100), Ivory Coast (75), and France (23).
This establishment, realised by the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs, will ensure, thanks to a high-level pedagogical and administrative staff, quality adapted training that will allow the enrolled students to successfully carry out the missions of supervision and preaching for which they will be responsible.
On this occasion, H.M. the King, Commander of the Faithful, posed for a souvenir photo with the Imams, morchidines and morchidates enrolled at the Institute.
