Controversial ’Halal’ Dating App Launches in Morocco, Sparks Debate

Almaaqool. This is the name of the halal dating app launched by Ilyass Lakhrissi alias Chekh Sar. Inspired by the Tinder app created in 2012 and aimed at the Moroccan public, this app is far from unanimous. The app targets single Moroccan youth - men and women - wishing to get married, "in accordance with the teachings of Islam," explains its creator. The 100-day subscription is billed at 300 DH for men and 100 DH for women for the same period. Users are required to provide personal information, including age, a phone number, a full name, a personal photo, socio-professional status, level of education, as well as sensitive data related to skin color, marital status, religious practice, and alcohol and drug consumption.

On the web, Moroccan internet users have criticized this initiative. "This project does more harm than good, so you should reconsider it and consult academics before starting it," comments one internet user on Facebook. "Marriage also requires a man who knows the meaning of marriage and responsibility," writes another. Other Moroccan internet users mock Chekh Sar. "May God grant you success, brother Ilyass, but do nothing before knowing God’s decision on this matter. Consult the scholars and ask for their advice," writes an internet user.

Islamic scholars and experts have not failed to react. "He (referring to Lakhrissi) fiercely defends the marriage of young girls and minors, strongly advocates polygamy and prohibits women from holding jobs and responsibilities [...] But he authorizes some of them to carry out electronic pimping projects, according to the Sunnah of God and His Messenger, and allows both sexes to have private conversations and exchange photos under the supervision and participation of the ’owner of the application’," noted Mohamed Abdelouahab Rafiqui, researcher in Islamic thought and advisor to the Minister of Justice. For his part, the Moroccan preacher Redouane Ben Abdeslam, also known as Redouan Zarghil, said he completely disagrees with Lakhrissi and rejects his application. However, he recognized Lakhrissi’s role as "a thorn in the throat of the wicked, the secularists, the atheists and the obscene feminist movements" and his "great talent and enormous efforts" in charitable work.