Ahmad al-Raysuni

Dr. Ahmad al-Raysuni (born 1953) is a Moroccan Islamic jurist. He is a former head of Movement of Unity and Reform (MUR), the social movement branch of the Moroccan Islamic party, Justice and Development Party (JDP). His intellectual linage can be traced to the reformist Salafist movement in Morocco, instituted by Allal al-Fassi. His other influences including contemporary Maliki scholars Muhammad al-Tahir ibn Ashur and Abdallah Bin Bayyah. Currently, he is teaching in Qatar, Morocco and various other countries.
Early life.
Born in the city of Ksar el-Kebir in the Kingdom of Morocco, he spent his primary and secondary education in the city. He earned his bachelor's degree in Sharia from the University of Al Quaraouiyine in Fez in 1978. After completing his postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Arts and Human Sciences at the Mohammed V University in Rabat, he obtained the postgraduate certificate in 1986, the postgraduate diploma (M.A.) in 1989, and the state doctorate in 1992.
Scholastic career.
Besides a leadership position of MUR from 1996 to 2003, he served on numerous other organizations, including a founding member and the president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, a member of the executive board of the World Forum of Muslim Scholars, the former secretary general of the Association of Graduates of Islamic Studies, the president of the Association of the Islamic Future in Morocco during 1994-1996, and the editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper "Al-Tajdeed" during 2000-2004.
Controversy.
He is known for controversy, and among his controversial opinions, his criticism of the king's move to take control of the fatwa in 2003 lead to his resignation from the position at MUR and "Al-Tajdeed" newspaper. He also stated that French is a "dying language" in Morocco and called for the ousting of the language from the educational institutions.