Abdelilah Benkirane apologized for comments regarding the Algerian mother of MP Mustapha Ibrahimi, which he made during a Justice and Development Party parliamentary group meeting on 26 October 2026. Addressing the legislator directly, the former head of government questioned his colleague's background by asking, "واخّا امو جزائرية كيعرف يقرا القرآن؟" (Even if his mother is Algerian, does he know how to recite the Quran?). During the same session, he also remarked, "ولكن راسهم قاسح بحالك" (But they are stubborn like you). These public statements prompted a review of his language following the meeting in Morocco. The official apology serves to address the concerns raised by the remarks concerning the Algerian origins of the mother of the party member.
Abdelilah Benkirane made these specific remarks about the Algerian origins of the mother of MP Mustapha Ibrahimi during the weekly meeting of his party's parliamentary group on Monday, October 26, 2026. The session, which was held to discuss internal party affairs, became the venue for these comments that linked the legislator's background to his ability to perform religious recitations.
Controversial Remarks During Meeting
Abdelilah Benkirane questioned the ability of Mustapha Ibrahimi to recite the Quran during the Justice and Development Party parliamentary group meeting on 26 October 2026. He linked this inquiry to the Algerian heritage of the mother of Mustapha Ibrahimi. During the same exchange, he characterized Algerians as stubborn. Benkirane specifically questioned if the MP could recite the Quran because his mother is Algerian, adding that Algerians are "stubborn."
Social media users expressed widespread anger following these remarks. Critics across various platforms labeled the comments as offensive to Algerian women. Many participants in these online discussions argued that the statements targeted the national identity of the mother of the legislator rather than addressing his legislative work. This reaction grew rapidly as segments of the meeting were discussed by the public, with critics noting the remarks as offensive to Algerian women and the broader Algerian population.
Abdelilah Benkirane issued a formal clarification and apology in response to the backlash. He stated that his comments were intended as a joke during the private session. He further emphasized that he maintains respect for the Algerian people and their history. In his statement, Abdelilah Benkirane clarified that the intention behind his words was not to disparage the national identity of the mother of Mustapha Ibrahimi, but rather that the comments were intended as a joke. He reiterated his position by stressing that he continues to hold deep respect for the Algerian people and their history, seeking to move past the controversy generated by the meeting held on October 26, 2026.
