Branden Kartchner

The Moroccan constitution declares that Islam is the religion of the State and guarantees religious freedom for all. While the constitution, laws, and policies protect religious freedom, in certain cases, the Moroccan government has restricted religious freedom.  The constitution determines that Islam is the official state religion and the king of Morocco is “commander of the believers” and “defender of the faith” in the country.

Morocco is home to 32,987,206 persons.  Of the total population, 98.6% are Sunni Muslims while Shia Muslims compose less than .1% of the population.  Christians account for 1.1% and Jews .2%.  There is also a small Baha’i community numbering around 350 to 400 persons.

While the government generally respects the right of most of the citizens to practice their religion, it discourages conversion from Islam and has banned proselytism to Muslims.  This governmental policy essentially limits all proselytism in the state.  In addition, it prohibits the distribution of non-Islamic religious materials in Morocco, and officials will confiscate materials they suspect are used for proselytizing.  However, the government does allow Sunni Muslims to proselyte to other religious groups.  Any citizen can be prosecuted for expressing opinions that are purportedly injurious to Islam.

The government monitors activities in mosques and other non-Muslim religious groups to ensure their actions have not exceeded the bounds of acceptable religious or political activities.  It also ensures that inflammatory or extremist rhetoric is not taught in the mosques.  The government will confiscate books, videotapes, and DVDs that are deemed extremist.

Source:  U.S. Department of State 2011 Report on International Religious Freedom