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Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that should be enjoyed by all individuals regardless of their religious beliefs. This right allows religious minorities to express their views and practice their religions without fear of discrimination or harassment.
The Moroccan constitution states that this right is guaranteed to all, but religious minorities face particular challenges in exercising it. While there are no explicit restrictions, some laws can be selectively used to harass those with dissenting beliefs.
Obtaining accurate statistics on religious minority members in Morocco is difficult. Therefore, the U.S. State Department's annual reports on religious freedom in the world are one of the few sources that provide approximate statistics. In its most recent annual report, it noted that 99 percent of Moroccans are Sunni Muslims, and less than 0.1 percent of the population are Shiite Muslims. Groups that collectively make up less than 1 percent include Christians, Jews, Baha'is, and Ahmadis.
Sunni Muslims and Jews (about 3,500 Jews, most of whom live in Casablanca) are the only religious groups recognized by the Moroccan constitution.
Restrictions and pressure on Shiite expression
According to the U.S. Department of State report, Shiite leaders in Morocco speak of several thousand Moroccan citizens practicing Shiism, mostly in northern cities, as well as an estimated 1,000 to 2,000 foreign resident Shiites living in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq.
In 2016, Moroccan Shiites tried to establish an association under the name «Progressive Rasalists», but the administrative authorities in the city of Tetouan would have refused to submit the document authorizing the establishment of the association. A few months later, the head of the unrecognized association was arrested and sentenced to one year of imprisonment for «embezzling public funds» from a banking institution. Members of the association claim his trial was due to his religious positions and opinions.
After this incident, Moroccan Shiites would have been limited to expressing themselves through closed social media pages and groups dedicated to discussing their ideas and beliefs.
«With regard to freedom of expression, there are restrictions and pressures, if it comes to touching, questioning or disputing the foundations of the state's legitimacy, then the Makhzen (referring to the Moroccan central government) is on the lookout», a Moroccan Shiite who requested anonymity told Yabiladi. «As for society, due to ignorance and misinformation, it always rises up against any thought or approach, even if it is in its favor, just because media is against it».
«Pressure comes from society before the state, due to ignorance, misinformation, and mobilization practiced by the Salafist movement, which considers Shiites a danger to society», he said.
Moroccan Christians : Freedom of expression confiscated
Like Shiites and other minorities, there are no accurate statistics on the number of Moroccans who have converted to Christianity. However, some Christian community leaders estimate, according to a US State Department report, that there are between 1,500 and 12,000 Christian citizens throughout the country. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights (AMDH), the country's largest human rights organization, estimates a higher number at 25,000 Christian citizens.
The Netherlands-based non-governmental organization Open Doors, which specializes in defending «persecuted Christians», puts the number of Christians in Morocco at 31,200, or about 0.1 percent of the country's total population. They report that these Christians would be facing persecution.
These Christian communities meet in «house churches» because they cannot get permission and official recognition to gather in public places.
«In our society it is very difficult to express your opinion, especially if it is different from what is mainstream», Mustapha Soussi, a Moroccan Christian, told Yabiladi. «Freedom of expression in a predominantly Muslim society that does not understand the meaning of individual freedom and freedom of belief in general is difficult».
According to Mustapha Soussi, Moroccan society presents a significant challenge to Christians' freedom of expression. He divides society into three categories: «The first category, representing the vast majority, is closed and does not accept dialogue and dissenting opinion. Any discussion perceived as contradicting their faith leads to being labeled an enemy, apostate, or heretic».
As for the second category, he says, «they are the intellectuals who listen to you and accept you but refrain from commenting, and they are a minority». He adds that the third category, «which is very few, is the open-minded and enlightened category that has no issues and respects your ideas and your faith as an individual».
In addition to society, Moroccan Christians would face pressure from the authorities, according to Soussi, who talked about the existence of «laws that limit the freedom of expression for minorities, and we demand to change them».
Like society, he divided the authorities into two categories, «the first applies the law and leaves you with your freedom, and this type has no issue with it». The second group interprets the law according to their own beliefs and imposes restrictions on individuals' faith and expression, creating difficulties for Christians.
Baha'is : Limited by ignorance
The U.S. Department of State estimates there are 350 to 400 Baha'is in Morocco.
Yassine Bakir, a member of the Baha'i Liaison Office in Morocco, acknowledges that while «the development of Moroccan society, especially the new generation, and its openness to the digital world and to intellectual and religious diversity, has contributed to the expansion of Baha'i participation and the expression of their beliefs», there are still those who reject this diversity.
He views the lack of knowledge about the Baha'i faith as a major obstacle: «In our experience, the biggest barrier to expanding the margin of freedom of expression and coexistence is the lack of knowledge of the other and ignorance of their principles and worldview».
However, Bakir emphasizes a more significant challenge: «The current challenge is the lack of legal recognition, which creates challenges for Moroccan Baha'is with regard to the personal status system... This legal aspect is the main challenge that our country still has to make progress in...» He argues that legal recognition is crucial for «laying the foundations of full and comprehensive citizenship under a modern civil Moroccan state that accommodates diversity and differences».
Bakir acknowledges the presence of a «conservative class with a specific religious understanding» that opposes the Baha'is. He emphasizes the need to distinguish between «freedom of expression of views» and «slander, defamation, exclusion, demonization and spreading rumors about a specific religious component».
Religious minorities in Morocco identify the lack of official recognition by the State as the most significant issue. This denial translates to limitations on exercising basic constitutional rights, including freedoms of religion, belief, opinion, and expression.
A selective freedom of expression
Sociologist Mohammed Akdid attributes these problems to a conservative social climate. Moroccan society, according to Akdid, is shaped by a «conservative traditional mentality» with religious authorities holding «exclusionary views» towards religious minorities.
He cites pronouncements (fatwas) and interpretations that label those with differing beliefs as apostates, thus silencing their voices. Akdid warns that such attitudes can fuel «sectarian strife», a problem witnessed in the Middle East where Moroccans have unfortunately been involved.
The sociologist criticizes the lack of media engagement with cultural diversity. Educational programs, media content, and public discussions rarely address these issues. He emphasizes the state's responsibility to promote coexistence, which currently appears «selective» as it primarily focuses on the Jewish community, seemingly implying they alone have the right to express themselves.
He also highlights the difficulty religious minorities face in establishing associations. «The state's refusal to grant official recognition hinders their ability to organize and function openly», he argued. Additionally, practicing their faith openly is challenging, forcing them to hold religious activities in private homes.
Akdid raises the concern of Christian and Shiite religious texts being banned from circulation and concludes by emphasizing the need for significant progress in Morocco. «The country must strive for true coexistence and openness towards religious minorities», he noted, adding that efforts are needed to counter «exclusionary and extremist attitudes» that target these groups.
