First-of-its-kind meeting held to address concerns of Christians in Morocco

RABAT — In a landmark event, members of the Coordination of Moroccan Christians met with officials from the National Council for Human Rights to discuss the situation faced by Christians in Morocco. During the meeting, a memorandum outlining their requests urging swift action to address their concerns was presented.

Mustafa al-Sousi, the official spokesperson for the Coordination of Moroccan Christians, highlighted five key points related to the freedom of practicing the Christian faith. These included the cessation of compulsory Islamic religious education in schools and the provision of appropriate arrangements for Christian burial rites in dedicated cemeteries.

Reports indicate that while the majority of Christians in Morocco are foreigners, there are also Moroccan citizens who have converted to Christianity and engage in prayer and worship discreetly. However, Moroccan Christians do not enjoy the same rights as their Muslim or Jewish counterparts.

Approximately 12,000 Christians reside in Morocco, and the country is home to 44 churches overseen by 57 monks from 15 different nationalities. These churches operate under the supervision of bishops based in the capital city of Rabat.