Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Irreligion in Morocco

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Studies have shown that 7% of Moroccans considers themselves as non-religious, and more than 1,320,000 Moroccans are convinced atheists. But the number could be much higher since most irreligious people in Morocco prefer to stay in the closet to avoid trouble with their surrounding and their families. Irreligion is growing in the country, but the social pressure is still heavy on atheists and ex-Muslims, and there is little media coverage of non-Muslims in Morocco.

Contents

In Morocco, atheists and non believers face police persecution or even possibility of death. Kacem El Ghazzali is one of the publicly known Moroccan atheists. His writings stress the importance of freedom of thought which lacks in Islamic countries.

The situation of Moroccan nonbelievers

The number of non-Muslims in Morocco is insignificant, compared to the number of the Moroccan Muslims. This is primarily because the Moroccan regime is very strict when it comes to religion. Moroccan non-believers cannot express their opinion publicly without the fear of being persecuted, since the 220 article of the Moroccan penal code condemns up to 3 years in jail those who quit Islam . However, there aren't many examples of this law being used for ex-muslims in Morocco.

Council of Ex-Muslims of Morocco

In 2013, a council of Ex-Muslims in Morocco was founded. It is the first public atheist and non-religious organisation in a country with Islam as its state religion. The goals of the council are:

  • Universal rights and equal citizenship for all. We are opposed to cultural relativism and the tolerance of inhuman beliefs, discrimination and abuse in the name of respecting religion or culture.
  • Freedom to criticize religion. Prohibition of restrictions on unconditional freedom of criticism and expression using so-called religious ‘sanctities’.
  • Freedom of and from religion.
  • Separation of religion from the state and legal and educational system.
  • Prohibition of religious customs, rules, ceremonies or activities that are incompatible with or infringe people’s rights and freedoms.
  • Abolition of all restrictive and repressive cultural and religious customs which hinder and contradict woman’s independence, free will and equality. Prohibition of segregation of sexes.
  • Prohibition of interference by any authority, family members or relatives, or official authorities in the private lives of women and men and their personal, emotional and sexual relationships and sexuality.
  • Protection of children from manipulation and abuse by religion and religious institutions.
  • Prohibition of any kind of financial, material or moral support by the state or state institutions to religion and religious activities and institutions.
  • Prohibition of all forms of religious intimidation and threats.

    • Notable irreligious people in Morocco

  • Zineb El Rhazoui, co-founder of the Mali movement, and human rights activist.
  • Kacem El Ghazzali, a secularist writer, and human rights activist. He is one of the few Moroccans to publicly announce his atheism.
  • Ibtissam Lachgar, a feminist and LGBT advocate. Co-founder of the Mali Movement.
  • Hassan Bahara, a Moroccan-Dutch writer.
  • Najat El Hachmi, a Moroccan writer.
  • Hafid Bouazza, a Moroccan-Dutch writer

    • References

    Irreligion in Morocco Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA