PRAY FOR MOROCCO
– For God to help the Moroccan Church be salt and light.
– That Christians will be wise and courageous as they live for Jesus.
– For hope and peace for converts from Islam facing family and community pressures.
WORLD WATCH LIST
Morocco
#21Christians risk arrest and interrogation, and aren’t allowed to gather in public.
bottom“My father kicked me out of the house. He said that I betrayed our culture, that I was no longer his daughter. It broke my heart.”
– Aizah, Morrocan Believer
Country
Profile
- Region
- North Africa
- Sources of persecution
- Islamic Oppression
- Population
- 38,211,000
- Christian population
- 33,000
- Religions
- Islam
- Leader
- King Mohammed VI
- Score
- 74
What’s Life Like For Christians?
Despite the growing Western influence on Moroccan society, 99 per cent of the population are Muslim and the country remains socially conservative. This makes life challenging for the tiny Christian minority, especially converts from Islam. They can face severe pressure from their family and local community to recant their faith. Without official permission or recognition to gather in public, they must meet in house churches.
Although conversion is not a legally punishable offence, converts risk arrest and interrogation by the government. The country’s strong and well-informed security services also make it difficult for believers to express their faith. This may partly be due to fear of radical Muslim groups. By appeasing them, the authorities hope to prevent unrest.
The government’s paranoia explains why it is illegal to “shake the faith of a Muslim”, meaning that Christians who talk about their faith risk arrest and criminal prosecution. Distribution of Christian resources in Arabic, including Bibles, is also restricted. Even on social media, believers must be very careful what they post.
Immigrant Christians are relatively free to meet and worship, but are often under surveillance and risk deportation if found to be sharing their faith with Muslims.
Who Is Most Vulnerable To Persecution?
The Islamic population in rural areas—and in certain urban areas—is known to be conservative. It can be particularly difficult for Christians in these regions. Converts from Islam face the highest risk of persecution from family, community, and the authorities. Women who leave Islam for Christianity may face house arrest, forced marriage, divorce, loss of inheritance rights, and denial of access to her children.
Most converts live in urban areas where it is easier to escape the pressures that come with choosing to follow Jesus.
What Does Open Doors Do To Help?
Open Doors works with local partners and churches in North Africa to provide leadership and discipleship training, livelihood support, legal aid, trauma counselling, Bibles, and pastoral care.
