Moroccan Christians Face Legal Hurdles in Marriage, Forced to Follow Muslim Rituals

According to human rights associations, relayed by the daily Assabah, the number of Moroccans of Christian faith is estimated at 13,000 people, mainly settled in Marrakech, Tangier and Meknes. 26 Sunday masses are regularly organized by Moroccan and Korean Christians, who celebrate their religion in a clandestine manner.

The law in Morocco does not yet recognize the marriage of Moroccans of a faith other than Islam. This prohibition forces the latter to resort to a Muslim marriage, the only similarity with the Christian one being the presence of witnesses.

Others denounce the rigidity of Moroccan legislation and call for the adoption of "civil marriage for non-Muslim Moroccans".

Feeling aggrieved in their absolute right, the victims demand the free exercise of religious worship in churches, religious or civil marriage, the freedom of baptism of children, religious education and burial, according to the Christian ritual.