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Open Doors, a global organization advocating for the rights of persecuted Christians, has released its 2023 report, listing Morocco as one of the countries where Christians face significant persecution.
The report ranks Morocco 24th out of 50 countries with the worst conditions for Christian minorities. Open Doors estimates Morocco's Christian population at 31,200, representing just 0.1% of the predominantly Muslim nation.
Despite growing Western influence, Open Doors highlights the enduring social conservatism of Moroccan society, where the 99% Muslim majority. This makes life «challenging for the tiny Christian minority, particularly those who convert from Islam».
Family pressure
The report details the intense family and community pressure converts face to renounce their faith. Additionally, due to the lack of official recognition, Christians must meet discreetly in house churches.
While conversion itself isn't officially punishable, the report warns of «the risk of arrest and interrogation by the government» for converts. Morocco's strong security apparatus further restricts religious expression for Christians.
The report cites the potential charge of «shaking the faith of a Muslim», as a significant threat to Christians. It also notes restrictions on distributing Christian resources (including Arabic Bibles) in Morocco, and the need for online Christians to use pseudonyms for safety.
Expatriate Christians, however, enjoy «relative freedom» to worship and gather, albeit under surveillance and facing potential deportation if they engage in proselytization.
Open Doors identifies the northeast, Atlas Mountains, and southeastern desert regions as hotbeds of Christian persecution within Morocco. Notably, most converts reside in urban areas, where it's easier to escape societal pressure.
Within the Maghreb region, Libya ranks worst for Christian persecution, globally at 3rd, followed by Algeria (15th) and Tunisia (33rd). North Korea remains the global leader in Christian persecution, followed by Somalia and Libya, then Eritrea, Yemen, and Nigeria.
