Religion in Morocco

Morocco is a country where most people follow a special way of living and believing called Sunni Islam. This is the official religion of the country. Almost everyone in Morocco is a Muslim, and nearly all of them belong to the Sunni group.

Besides Sunni Islam, there are small groups of other beliefs. Some people follow Shia Islam, Christianity, or the Baháʼí Faith. There are also a few who do not follow any religion or have their own beliefs. Christianity in Morocco is mostly practiced by foreigners, and only a few Jewish people remain.

Islam

Main article: Islam in Morocco

Most people in Morocco follow Islam. It is also the official religion of the country. Almost all of these people belong to a group called Sunni Islam. Islam came to Morocco in the year 680, brought by Arab leaders from Damascus.

A smaller number of people follow other Islamic groups, but Sunni Islam is the most common.

Religious minorities

Christianity

Main articles: Christianity in Morocco, Roman Catholicism in Morocco, and Protestantism in Morocco

Morocco first met Christianity long ago during Roman times. After Islam arrived, Christianity almost vanished from the land. During times when Spain and France ruled parts of Morocco, many Europeans who followed Roman Catholicism lived there. After Morocco became independent in 1956, most of these Europeans left. Today, only a few Christians stay in Morocco. These include some African visitors and a very small number of Moroccans who now practice Christianity.

Judaism

Main articles: Moroccan Jews, History of the Jews in Morocco, and Jewish exodus from Arab and Muslim countries

For a long time, Morocco was a place where Jewish people lived. After Israel was created in 1948, many Moroccan Jews moved to Israel and other lands. Today, only a few thousand Jews remain in Morocco. They are mostly older people who live in cities such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh.

Baháʼí Faith

Main article: Baháʼí Faith in Morocco

The Baháʼí Faith started in Morocco in 1946. After Morocco gained independence, some Baháʼís had difficult times. Now, only a small group of Baháʼís lives in Morocco.

Religiosity

Main article: Islam in Morocco

Most people in Morocco say they are religious. Surveys show that many people feel this way. Younger people are less likely to say they are very religious compared to older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they are religious.

Freedom of religion

Main article: Freedom of religion in Morocco

In Morocco, the government has a big role in how Muslims practice their religion. Saying bad things about Islam in public can lead to fines or going to jail.

Only Islam and Judaism are recognized as religions from Morocco itself, according to the Moroccan constitution. Other religions are seen as coming from outside the country. People from other countries can usually practice their religion quietly as long as they do not criticize Islam.

There are 125 churches in Morocco, most of which follow the Catholic faith. In 2022, Morocco opened the first university campus synagogue in the Arab world, showing a spirit of tolerance.