Bahá'í Academics Resource Library

Synopsis of References to the Bahá'í Faith
in the US State Department's Reports on Human Rights
1991-2000
 Introduction and Index
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MOROCCO
HRP: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
IRF: Annual Reports to Congress on International Religious Freedom

FREEDOM OF RELIGION

Islam is the official religion and, although the Constitution provides for freedom of religion, in practice only Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are tolerated officially. Baha'is face restrictions on the practice of their faith.

The small Baha'i community has been forbidden to meet or participate in communal activities since 1983.

However, during the period covered by this report, no members of the Baha'i community were reported to have been summoned to the Ministry of the Interior for questioning concerning their faith or for meeting, as had occurred in past years. There were no reports during the year that the Government summoned members of the Baha'i Faith for questioning or denied them passports, as had occurred in previous years. During the period covered by this report, Interior Ministry officials summoned members of the small Baha'i community for questioning concerning their faith and meetings; however, fewer Baha'is reportedly were summoned than in past years.

BAHA'I COMMUNITY

Also located in Rabat and Casablanca, the Baha'i community numbers 350 to 400 persons.

TRAVEL

...there were no reports during the year that the Government summoned members of the Baha'i Faith for questioning or denied them passports, as had occurred in previous years. The Ministry of Interior restricts freedom to travel abroad in certain circumstances. It has refused to issue passports to certain citizens, including political activists, former political prisoners, and Baha'is. However, the Government has dramatically eased these restrictions in recent years. The Government has refused to issue passports to a number of Moroccans, including political activists, former political prisoners, and Moroccan Bahaíis.

SOCIETAL ATTITUDES

Because many Muslims view the Baha'i Faith as a heretical offshoot of Islam, most members of the tiny Baha'i community maintain a low religious profile. However, Baha'is live freely and without fear for their persons or property, and some even hold government jobs.

US GOVERNMENT POLICY

The Ambassador and embassy officials also meet regularly with religious officials, including the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Islamic religious scholars, the leader of the Jewish community, and local Christian leaders and missionaries. The Embassy maintains contacts with the small Baha'i community as well.



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