Morocco Fires Ministry Official Over ’Sexual Orientation’ in Mosque Literacy Materials

The Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs has fired the head of the literacy department for using the term "sexual orientation" in the learning materials used by mosques. The official is accused of including a passage from a second-year book: "Equality means that people are treated equally without discrimination, regardless of their ethnic origin, sexual orientation or disability."

After an investigation, the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, decided to fire the official for allegedly promoting homosexuality through the literacy courses taught in mosques. He also instructed mosque teachers to remove the term "sexual orientation" from the already printed books.

The dismissal of the official has elicited reactions from defenders of the LGBTQIA+ community. "We are one of the few countries to fire people for doing the right thing. Just look at the injustice this man has faced and imagine how much the LGBTQIA+ community suffers in Morocco," said a Moroccan anonymously.

In Morocco, homosexuality is punished with a sentence of up to three years in prison under Article 489 of the Penal Code, which punishes "anyone who commits an indecent or unnatural act with an individual of the same sex."