Moroccan Christians Urge Repeal of Anti-Proselytism Law

"We are convinced that you are currently prioritizing the reform of the Penal Code, in particular by repealing certain articles relating to the breaking of the fast in public and consensual relations," recalled Pastor Adam Rbati, president of the Union of Moroccan Christians, in a letter addressed to the Minister of Justice, Abdellatif Ouahbi, on December 25.

While welcoming the "efforts made to anchor and defend freedoms," the Union is calling for the repeal of Article 220 of the Penal Code, which in its second paragraph punishes "anyone who uses means of seduction to shake the faith of a Muslim or convert him to another religion, by exploiting his weakness or his need for help..." with a prison sentence of six months to three years, accompanied by a fine.

In a recent statement to Madar21, the official deplored the persistence of discrimination against Moroccan Christians because of their religion: "We cannot openly practice our religious rites, we resort to domestic churches, we are forced to marry according to Islamic documents, we are prohibited from giving Christian first names to our children and we do not even have Christian cemeteries."

Adam Rbati is convinced that the repeal of Article 220 will allow Moroccan Christians to fully enjoy their religious freedom. According to the 2020 report of the US State Department on religious freedoms in the world, Morocco has between 2,000 and 6,000 Christians. Their number would rather be around 25,000, according to the Moroccan Association for Human Rights.