Morocco has a long history of religious tradition, where diversity and coexistence have shaped the national identity. While the country is overwhelmingly defined by one faith, its official stance is one of tolerance, recognizing the historical depth of its various communities. This approach balances the preservation of a dominant state religion with constitutional guarantees for the practice of other recognized faiths. The religious framework is deeply interwoven with the political structure, influencing daily life, culture, and social legislation.
The Predominant Faith: Sunni Islam
Sunni Islam is the faith of over 99% of the population, making it the primary religious and cultural force in the country. This dominance is anchored in the Maliki school of jurisprudence, combined with the Ash’ari school of theology and the influence of Sufism. The Maliki school, prominent across North and West Africa, emphasizes the consensus and practice of the early Muslim community in Medina, promoting a flexible and moderate interpretation of Islamic law.
The Ash’ari doctrine provides the theological foundation, promoting a balance between literal legalism and human reason in understanding religious texts. The state officially champions this combination of Maliki law and Ash’ari theology as the distinctively Moroccan form of Islam, intended to safeguard the nation against extremist ideologies. The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs guides the content of sermons and religious education to ensure adherence to this state-approved model.
The King of Morocco holds the constitutional title of Amir al-Mu’minin, or “Commander of the Faithful.” This title links the monarchy directly to religious authority, establishing the King as the protector of Islam and the guarantor of religious practice for all individuals. The monarchy’s legitimacy is derived from this spiritual role and the dynastic claim to direct descent from the Prophet Muhammad. This integration of religious and political leadership ensures Islam is the ideological foundation of the nation’s governance and unity.
The Enduring Presence of Moroccan Judaism
Moroccan Judaism is one of the oldest Jewish communities outside of the Middle East, with a history predating the arrival of Islam by centuries. Evidence suggests a Jewish presence as early as the first century BCE, expanding significantly following the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. Historically, Jewish citizens played important roles in commerce, culture, and diplomacy, often living in designated quarters known as Mellahs.
While the community numbered between 250,000 and 300,000 in 1948, the majority emigrated following the establishment of the State of Israel. Today, the population is estimated between 1,500 and 2,500 citizens, mostly concentrated in Casablanca. The Jewish community maintains a unique, constitutionally recognized status as an integral component of Moroccan society. The government supports the preservation and restoration of historic synagogues, cemeteries, and cultural sites, and the community retains the right to use rabbinic courts for personal status issues.
Contemporary Minority Faiths and Communities
Beyond the historically recognized Jewish community, other minority faiths exist, primarily composed of Christians and followers of the Baha’i Faith. Christians are mainly foreign residents, including expatriates and descendants of French and Spanish colonial populations. These foreign-resident Christian communities, largely Catholic and Protestant, operate recognized churches established during the protectorate era.
A number of Moroccan citizens have converted to Christianity, with estimates of the local Christian population ranging from 1,500 to 25,000. These converts generally practice their faith discreetly in private settings, such as house churches, due to social pressure. Similarly, the Baha’i Faith has a small community, estimated at a few hundred members, largely located in urban centers. The government allows these groups to practice their faith privately.
Constitutional Status and Religious Practice
The legal framework designates Islam as the state religion, a provision that cannot be altered by constitutional amendment. Article 3 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of thought, expression, and assembly, and guarantees to all individuals the freedom to “practice their religious affairs.” This constitutional guarantee applies specifically to the two officially recognized, native religions: Islam and Judaism.
The legal status of other faiths permits private worship while regulating public religious expression. While non-Muslims are afforded protections, the law penalizes any use of enticements or attempts to convert a Muslim to another religion. This prohibition is enforced through the penal code, which also criminalizes acts and speech deemed to undermine the Islamic religion. The government’s policy is to protect the religious status quo, meaning the practice of minority faiths is permitted, but the active sharing of those faiths with Muslim citizens is legally restricted.