Morocco--Christian Persecution in Morocco

Africa: Morocco Country Report Last Updated: August 2000 Code: A-2, 3 (Click here for a code description.)
	(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Morocco.) List of Articles Last Updated: November 23, 1999

Religious Atmosphere: 99.8% of this country's people are Sunni Muslim. Most Christians in this country are foreign nationals.

Extremist Groups: No extremist groups have been cited for incidents of persecution in this country.

• Islam is the state religion.
• The practice of Christianity and Judaism are tolerated.
• Law and tradition call for severe punishments for anyone who converts from Islam.
• Proselytizing by non-Muslims is often punished even when it does not violate Articles 220 and 221 of the Penal Code, which make proselytizing a crime only if seductive or coercive means are employed. Convictions of such actions usually result in deportation.

• June 1999 – Five American citizens were detained and deported after being accused of distributing Christian literature on a train from Rabat to Tangier.
• March 1, 1999 - It was reported that four foreigners (British and Korean) were arrested on proselytization charges in the town of Tata. Bibles and Christian pamphlets were seized in the process.
• July 15, 1998--A Moroccan appeals court upheld a lower court's sentence against four Western Christians that was passed on June 5, 1998. The court reportedly charged Graham Hutt (British), Serge Dechoz (French), Kelly Viinikka (Canadian), and Antero Ylikangas (Canadian) with "intent to introduce merchandise into the country without a customs declaration." The men were fined $42,000, given a suspended two-month prison term, and Hutt's yacht and motorcycle were confiscated (valued at $253,000). The merchandise in question involved 1200 New Testaments and 500 Bibles and would have required a $65 customs charge had they been declared. All the men except Graham Hutt have been allowed to leave the country with no punishment. It was found that a multi-page confession that was written in Arabic and signed by the men contained other charges. The confession was signed by the men after they had been questioned for fourteen hours, been denied food and water, and were promised they would be released if they signed it, which they weren't. The statement said the signers confessed to the following: illegal entry into Morocco, being missionaries in Morocco as well as other countries, being involved in a conspiracy to subvert the Islamic faith, being involved in a conspiracy to subvert Morocco, planning to distribute materials during the night to convert Muslims, and smuggling the religious materials found in Serge Dechoz's apartment into the country.
• January 26, 1998 - Police arrested three expatriates and eight Moroccan nationals. Except for the American citizen, Jack Rasmussen, all were released on the 28th after an appearance in court. No charges were made. All the expatriates were Christians who engaged in evangelism while in Morocco and three of the Moroccans were Christians.
• August 28, 1996 - Timothy Lamb, an American citizen studying Arabic, was deported for giving a Christian tract to a person in a hotel in March. Moroccan authorities failed to contact the American consul as was the accepted practice when they have an American in custody. During his detainment, Lamb was pressured to convert to Islam by multiple judges. His roommate Joohyun Ahn, a South Korean working in tourism, was also deported despite having been acquitted on all charges. Their room had been searched and all Christian materials confiscated despite that no arrest or search warrant was presented. Neither men were allowed to make phone calls or to get an attorney while being held, which is contrary to Moroccan law.
• June 1996 - Two women visiting Morocco were arrested and deported for giving a Moroccan a Christian tape. During their detainment, the women were not allowed to make a phone call or to contact their embassies or an attorney.

Prisoners: There is no evidence that prisoners are continuing to be held for their Christian beliefs at this time.

• Pray for the Christians of Morocco that they may allowed to practice and share their faith freely and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all Moroccans.
• Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Morocco asking them to make an inquiry into their status.
• Write a respectful letter to one or more government officials at the address listed below.* Express your continuing concern for the safety and well-being of the Christian community in Morocco as well as for their right to practice their faith freely.
• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

POSTED:  October 18, 2000

ICC Articles on Morocco: