The concept of modernity and democracy has taken up many discussions in the Arab World. A constant feature is the debate as to whether or not the Arab or Islamic World is compatible with the idea of modernity, and understanding this idea from a Western perspective, in relation to a set of abstract values such as liberty or democracy.
The aim of this paper is mainly to attempt an analysis of the concept of modernity through the use of the French press in Morocco, concretely three newspapers: the “independents” Maroc-Hebdo, and “ L´economiste” and the “officialist” Le Matin du Sahara et du Magheb,
The press is not just an interesting media due to the value it holds in providing information on world events, but also due to the fact that it reflects the opinions and points of view of the person, or the group behind the writing; therefore providing an interesting mirror of the society. The press has been chosen as a source in order to examine the Islamic or Arab vision of modernity. The discussion about the treatment of the concept “Modernity” in the Moroccan press is addressed through the evaluation of several questions:
The paper will mainly emphasize the concept of modernity; first talking about the general considerations of the concept in an abstract sense, then focusing on the main topics of discussion, and at last evaluating the paper of tradition in the modernizing initiative, distinguishing two different discourses.
This is a work basically descriptive, due to the characteristic of the sources ( primary) which are not opportune for the interpretation. The work will intercalate the text with many quotes, referring to the discussed topic.
This work examines the existence of different perspectives on the same topic, through the treatment of the news and the language used. The paper will analyze different news between the years 2011 and 2012. It is mainly based in primary sources, however some secondary sources were also used as a theoretical framework.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Context
Press in Morocco
Journals
Representativeness of the sample
The concept of modern
Definition
Comparison with Europe
Ideas linked to modernity
The question of Modernity and Islam
The “conciliatory” vision
The “confronted” vision
Conclusion
Research Objective and Topics
This research paper aims to analyze how the concept of "modernity" is framed and represented within the French-language press in Morocco, specifically exploring the perceived tension or compatibility between Islamic tradition and modern democratic values.
- Analysis of the Moroccan press landscape and its pluralistic nature.
- Examination of the dichotomy between "modernity" and "tradition" in political discourse.
- Evaluation of how gender equality and human rights are contextualized through a religious lens.
- Comparison of different editorial approaches (conciliatory vs. confrontational) regarding Islam and modernization.
Excerpt from the Book
The “conciliatory” vision
Most of the times, in the two first newspapers ( LM, LE) it is remarkable to say that the word Islam is using as a tool to defend questions as Human Rights « Par ailleurs, à y regarder de près, les principes de l’Islam ne sont pas différents de ceux des droits de l’Homme et de la démocratie » ( Fatehme, 2012) or the women rights « Le Islam a doté la femme d’une personnalité juridique indépendante, lui a reconnu le droit d’hériter, de gérer librement ses biens, de choisir son mari, de garder son nom de jeune fille, de divorcer. Il a limité le nombre des épouses jusque-là illimité et a soulagé Eve de la culpabilité de la chute du paradis, devenue œuvre aussi bien de l’homme que de la femme dans le Coran » ( Fakhraie, 2012)
However, they “recognize” that sometimes, it can exist a certain incompatibility or sometimes, it can be seem as opposite to Islam, this is due to a misinterpretation of Islam, by “forces” who want to came back to the past. In the articles they point out the revolutionary, and innovator power of Islam, as a great force to modernity.
From this conciliatory perspective there are several interesting articles as one with the title “Is it possible to be feminist and Muslim ?” where the own author begin to define herself as feminist and Muslim at the same time, to finish saying that Islam and feminism have in common a strong sense of social justice “Beaucoup pensent que les deux notions sont incompatibles. En réalité, en tant que musulmane féministe, je pense qu'elles ont bien plus en commun qu'on ne l'imagine, surtout en matière de justice sociale » ( Alaoui, 2012).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the research focus on the concept of modernity in the Moroccan press and defines the scope of using three specific newspapers as primary sources.
Context: Provides an overview of the Moroccan media landscape, noting the role of the French-language press and its relationship with the Monarchy and social elites.
The concept of modern: Explores the abstract definition of modernity and contrasts its usage in Morocco with European perspectives, emphasizing its positive connotation in Moroccan political discourse.
The question of Modernity and Islam: Investigates the complex relationship between religious identity and modern aspirations within an Islamic societal framework.
The “conciliatory” vision: Details how certain newspapers attempt to reconcile Islamic principles with modern concepts like human rights and feminism.
The “confronted” vision: Analyzes the opposing editorial stance that views religion and modernity as potential sources of tension or conflict.
Conclusion: Summarizes that while modernity is universally perceived as positive, the press displays two distinct discourses—one seeking to integrate tradition and another that differentiates them.
Keywords
Modernity, Morocco, French press, Islam, Democracy, Tradition, Human Rights, Women Rights, Media discourse, Political liberalization, Makzhen, Social justice, Cultural elite, Secularism, Reform
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the construction and interpretation of the concept of "modernity" within the Moroccan French-language press during the 2011–2012 period.
Which newspapers were selected for this study?
The research analyzes three specific publications: the independent "Maroc-Hebdo," the economic journal "L'économiste," and the officialist "Le Matin du Sahara et du Maghreb."
What is the core research question addressed?
The paper investigates how Moroccan media perceives the relationship between modernity, Islamic identity, and democratic reform.
What research methodology is employed?
It is a descriptive study based primarily on qualitative analysis of news articles and editorials, supported by a theoretical framework of media and sociopolitical studies.
What is the main takeaway regarding modernity in Morocco?
The study finds that modernity is largely viewed as a positive, linear progression, but its relation to religion is debated, leading to both conciliatory and confrontational discourses.
Which key topics characterize this work?
Key themes include the political evolution of Morocco, the role of women in society, the influence of the Monarchy (Makzhen), and the impact of the Arab Spring.
How does the "conciliatory" discourse treat Islamic texts?
It interprets Islamic principles as inherently compatible with modern values like human rights and equality, often citing the Quran to support reformist social agendas.
Why does "Maroc-Hebdo" adopt a different approach compared to the other journals?
Unlike the other journals, "Maroc-Hebdo" often frames religious fundamentalism as a significant threat and relies more on civic and legalistic rather than religious arguments to support modernization.
How do these media outlets influence Moroccan society?
Although their readership is limited to the cultural elite, these newspapers serve as important mirrors of societal debate and significantly influence political opinion and discourse in the country.
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- Samuel Perrino Martínez (Autor:in), 2012, The concept of modernity in Moroccan press, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/202838
