Disaffected young Moroccan immigrants to Europe have few skills and no work prospects — making them susceptible to Islamic radicalization, experts say.
“It’s very easy to say these are Muslim terrorists. But they are also economic migrants,” said Susan Gilson Miller, who studies Morocco’s history.
The young men “may or may not be having success.” Those who are not succeeding may “feel excluded, unsuccessful, deprived and alienated,” Gilson Miller said.
At least 10 men with Moroccan origins are suspected in terror attacks last week in Spain and Finland. Italy also kicked out a number of Moroccan men last week on suspicion of terrorist activities.
Moroccans have been crossing the Gibraltar Strait for decades. Given their sheer numbers in Spain — at least 800,000 — it’s likely some will turn to terrorism, said Gilson Miller, a professor at the University of California at Davis.
“Sometimes we have these events,” Gilson Miller said. “But on the other hand you have millions of Moroccans in Europe who are perfectly fine and have found a way to integrate.”
A leader in New York’s Moroccan community denounced the terrorism. “No one is supporting these horrible things happening in Spain,” said Simo el Aissaoui of the group Moroccan Americans of New York.