Casablanca Cracks Down on Illegal Churches: Interior Minister Unveils Strict Measures

The local authorities are embarking on a crusade against informal churches. This is the conclusion drawn from the Interior Minister’s response to the written question addressed to him by deputy Abdessamad Haiker. Abdelouafi Laftit stated that the authorities have organized joint visits to commercial premises or private apartments used by churches, in order to verify their actual use and ensure compliance with the laws in force. They found that several of these spaces are neither suitable nor authorized to host religious gatherings.

Armed with these findings, measures have been taken. Warnings have been issued to owners and tenants about the prohibition of using shops or homes for religious practice without authorization. Landlords have been reminded of the obligation to respect the terms of rental contracts, after the identification of several cases of non-compliance. Targeted awareness-raising among foreign Christian nationals has been organized, in order to inform them of the risks associated with the use of unsuitable spaces.

These measures aim to "avoid any excesses, to prevent security risks and to maintain public order, while guaranteeing freedom of worship within the legal framework," the minister specified, assuring that further checks will be organized in the coming weeks.