Report Highlights Discrepancies in Moroccan Religious Freedom Protections

A new report titled “Freedom of Religion in Morocco,” authored by researchers from Regent University’s Center for Global Justice and International Christian Concern, argues that Morocco’s legal framework creates a significant gap between constitutional guarantees and daily practice. While the 2011 Constitution promises the free exercise of beliefs, the authors contend that specific penal codes and social regulations effectively restrict religious expression for those outside the state-sanctioned Islamic framework.

The study highlights Section 222 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes public breaking of the Ramadan fast for those identified as Muslim. The authors note that the law’s ambiguity regarding religious identity can lead to legal uncertainty for converts. Additionally, the report criticizes Section 220, which prohibits attempts to “shake the faith of a Muslim” through “means of seduction.” The researchers argue that this vague terminology grants authorities excessive discretion to penalize evangelism and religious discussion, ultimately limiting the rights of religious minorities and converts within the country.