Freedom of Belief in Morocco: The Legal and Political Problematic

Abstract

This research aims to clarify the factors involved in shaping the problematic situation related to the legal framing of freedom of belief in Morocco. Its importance lies in revealing the tension between legal texts and the actual reality of freedom of belief, as well as in enriching the debate on this issue in its universal and international dimension. One of the main reasons for choosing this topic is that it forms part of broader research interests in the sociology of religion and belief, in addition to the topic’s contemporary relevance and its strong presence in ongoing social debates in Morocco. The study is based on the documentary method, through the analysis and comparison of selected documents and the extraction of relevant findings, while also incorporating a sociological perspective that considers freedom of belief as an expression of an ideal model of reality that social actors seek to establish within society. The research concludes that the issue of legally recognizing freedom of belief in Morocco is linked to the need to maintain social balances and to respect public order, both of which are often associated with Moroccan identity, as well as to the nature of the state itself, which derives a significant part of its legitimacy from religious considerations that continue to influence both the stakes of political power and the way authorities deal with freedom of belief. Finally, the study includes an introductory section, followed by a first part entitled “Freedom of Belief in Morocco: National and International Contexts,” a second part entitled “Freedom of Belief in Morocco: The Legal Problematic,” a third part entitled “Freedom of Belief in Morocco: The Political Problematic,” and concludes with a synthetic conclusion