[Today’s Prayer] Moroccan Christians Urge Political Parties to “Include Religious Freedom Pledges” Ahead of General Election

Moroccan Christian organizations are urging political parties to include religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities in their campaign pledges and government policies ahead of the general election on September 23 (local time).

(Excerpt)

According to the local media outlet Hespress, the Moroccan Christian Coordination Committee is particularly calling on left-leaning political parties to reflect freedom of faith and the rights of religious minorities in their election platforms and government programs. The organization has been attempting to engage in dialogue with political parties since around 2018.

Mustapha Soussi, Secretary-General of the Coordination Committee, said, “Several political parties are hesitant to openly engage with the issue of religious freedom because they fear losing votes in a Muslim-majority country.” Since most political parties have already established their election pledges, the organization plans to continue dialogue with the political sphere even after the election.

The Moroccan Christian Union has also delivered proposals to several political parties concerning the rights of religious minorities and their participation in politics. President Adam Rabati said, “We delivered an appeal through a senior official of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), but we have not received a response.”

Although this organization does not have official government recognition, it plans to review the pledges of each political party and candidate and then encourage Moroccan Christians to participate in the election.

The issue of religious freedom in Morocco is connected to a constitutional framework that recognizes Islam as the state religion while also guaranteeing freedom of religious practice. King Mohammed VI is also constitutionally given the religious title of “Commander of the Faithful.”

Foreign Christians are relatively free to worship in registered churches, but Christian organizations and the U.S. State Department have pointed out that Moroccan citizens who are Christians face restrictions in areas such as establishing churches and having Christian weddings and funerals. Some converts are reportedly pressured by their families and society to renounce their faith, while others worship privately because they fear government surveillance.

In Morocco, converting to Christianity itself is not defined as a criminal offense. However, the penal code restricts acts that are considered to undermine the faith of Muslims or that encourage Muslims to convert to another religion.

The concerns raised by Christian organizations are not being brought forward for the first time because of this year's election. In 2018, the Moroccan Christian Coordination Group submitted a memorandum to the National Human Rights Council requesting guarantees for religious freedom as well as the right to marry, conduct funerals, and choose names for their children. In 2023, they also met with the National Human Rights Council to discuss the rights of Moroccan Christian citizens and freedom of religious activity.

Christian organizations view this election, in which 395 members of the House of Representatives will be elected, as an opportunity to determine whether political parties are genuinely willing to address the rights of religious minorities as an actual political issue.

Source: Christian Today

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

We hear the news that Moroccan Christian organizations are engaging in dialogue with political parties ahead of the September 23 general election, urging them to include guarantees for freedom of faith and the rights of religious minorities in their campaign pledges and government policies.

Although the Constitution states that freedom of religious activity is guaranteed, Moroccan Christians are in reality restricted even in areas such as Christian weddings and funerals, and some are maintaining their worship privately. Lord, have mercy on the Christians of Morocco and protect them.

Ahead of this general election, may the plans and platforms of Moroccan parliamentary candidates and political parties be established in a direction that is more favorable toward Moroccan Christians. May this become an opportunity for the gospel to flow even to Moroccan politicians, and may there be a work of God through which unjust laws are amended.

For this work, may the churches of Morocco and the churches of the Maghreb join together with greater strength. May we proclaim in faith that the Lord, who directs every path, will enable us to take on the new things He is doing. As the general election approaches, help us prepare through intercessory prayer for the leaders whom God will establish over Morocco.

May the global Church also shine a light on the discrimination faced by Moroccan Christians, pray for transformation within the Moroccan government and political parties, and take the lead in sending more missionaries to proclaim the gospel.

In this way, may the Christians of the Maghreb and the nations, through Morocco, look to Jesus Christ, who enables His people to endure these last days, and proclaim the faithfulness of God!