113 Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, 28:113–127, 2005 Copyright  Taylor & Francis Inc. ISSN: 1057-610X print / 1521-0731 online DOI: 10.1080/10576100590905093 Building the Human Bomb: The Case of the 16 May 2003 Attacks in Casablanca JACK KALPAKIAN School of Humanities and Social Sciences Al Akhawayn University Ifrane Morocco The terrorist attacks that took place on 16 May 2003 in Casablanca were a result of internal factors. These factors include the terrorists’ view of their faith, poverty, and under-education. The links between the terrorists in Morocco and the Al Qaeda network, despite their ideological similarities, are not of a “command and control” nature. The relationship can be described as a franchise operation. The attacks resulted in the alienation of the population from movements attempting to use Islam in politics. Consequently, the attacks backfired on the Moroccan Islamist movement. Introduction In its reform program, Morocco is a country trying to reconcile many contradictory trends. It is trying to remain unique and different from neighboring European states like Portugal and Spain while incorporating the positive aspects of Western social and politi- cal organization into its national fabric. The country is undergoing widespread social, political, and economic liberalization albeit in a form that is tradition-friendly. It is ex- perimenting with enhancing citizen-participation in the state and with increased open- ness as well as gender equality. It has taken significant steps toward democratization and is one of a few Arab League members to do so. The country is also of profound geo-strategic importance due to its proximity to Europe and its location on the Straits of Gibraltar. The county is located west and south of France and most of Spain. Its align- ment during the Cold War was with the West, and it enjoyed United States and French military and economic assistance. The slow but ever-widening cycle of overall liberal- ization has been met with a mixed reaction that includes surprise, shock, rejection, warm embrace and ambivalence. There are some that do not want the changes that are being phased into Moroccan life. There are a few who reject the “changes” already in place, and yearn for a return to a “pure past”—al-salaf al-salih (thus salafism and salafists). Their agenda includes turn- ing back tourism, rejecting the influence of the Western world, and the institutionaliza- tion of Shari’a law throughout the legal system. Most of these Moroccan Islamists have Received 28 January 2004; accepted 24 June 2004. Address correspondence to Jack Kalpakian, BP 1862 AUI, Ifranc, 53000, Morocco. E-mail: j.kalpakian@aui.ma and jackkalpakian@yahoo.com