The Islamic Movement in Jordan announced on Monday its political credentials that included moderate positions that, unlike previous stands, did not criticize the authority of King Abdullah II.
Represented by the unlicensed Muslim Brotherhood and its political wing, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the Movement had in the past adopted stances that stoked tensions and crises with the state.
However, on Monday, the movement’s new document included more flexible stances in dealing with internal reform. It also shied away from previous demands for constitutional amendments that tackle the authority of King Abdullah.
Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the Islamic Movement had asked the Change Movement, headed by former Prime Minister Ahmad Obeidat, to adopt the document’s ideology and to join the group.
Its request was, however, left unheeded and it decided to release its document away from the opposition stances declared by Obeidat.
On Monday, in its reference document, the Islamic Movement departed from its previous extremist approaches and instead, asked for securing the religious, political, social and media freedoms of all citizens.
The Movement also took a clear position from terrorism and extremism, something it avoided in the past, by calling on its members to adopt a moderate approach in their thoughts and practices.
“Extremism and radicalization are rejected and are condemned at the moral and human levels,” the document said.
The Islamic Movement also said it considered the Jordanian constitution as a “very important and advanced” document, which should be respected by everyone.
