The fact that the Higher Council of Ulema is empowered to issue Fatwas exclusively for matters relating to religious texts is in itself a call for greater modernization and openness with regard to the other provisions of the Family Code, the OFI pointed out in a statement.

In this respect, the Ittihadi Women's Organization recalled the Royal Guidelines aimed at reconciling respect for the irrevocable prescriptions of the Sharia with the requirements of openness and equality, taking into account societal evolutions, which makes religious Ijtihad, with its noble aims, a vector of modernity and progress.

The Royal Office statement and the Letter addressed by the Sovereign to the Head of Government remain the "two main references for the expected revision", underlined the OFI, explaining that they call for no transgression of the irrevocable prescriptions of the Sharia, while ensuring that they are consolidated through constructive Ijtihad, in compliance with the Kingdom's constitutional constants and international commitments.

In this context, the OFI noted that it has already called, in its memorandum submitted to the Body in charge of revising the Family Code during the hearing sessions, for the proposed amendments to take account of the Islamic frame of reference and to adopt interpretations drawing on open Ijtihad and the rule that prescriptions change according to circumstances and contexts.

On Friday, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, Chairman of the Higher Council of Ulema, kindly gave His High Directives to the said Council, to examine certain questions contained in the proposals of the Body in charge of revising the Family Code, with reference to the principles and precepts of the holy religion of Islam and its tolerant purposes, and to submit a Fatwa on their subject to the Sovereign's High Appreciation.