Politicians and activists in Morocco are raising alarms over government-imposed restrictions on religious leaders, particularly regarding their ability to address the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in sermons. These concerns have sparked heated debates in the country’s parliament and among the public.
During a session at the Moroccan parliament this week, socialist lawmaker Nabila Mounib criticized the limits imposed on imams when it comes to discussing the Palestinian cause. Mounib contended that the government’s restrictions prevent imams from openly speaking about the suffering of Palestinians or calling for religious solidarity in support of their cause. “No imam is allowed to discuss the Palestinian issue,” Mounib asserted on November 5.
Since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict 14 months ago, several Moroccan activists have voiced concerns about what they perceive as an increasing clampdown on religious discourse about Palestine. The Ministry of Islamic Affairs has previously rejected claims of such restrictions, calling a circulating document on social media that outlined them “fabricated” and reaffirming Morocco’s long-standing support for Palestinians.
Minister of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Toufiq later responded to Mounib’s accusations, emphasizing that imams are free to condemn injustice and violence in their sermons. “Any imam who denounces barbarism and injustice is welcome to speak out,” Toufiq stated.
However, some pro-Palestinian activists argue that the restrictions reflect a wider disconnect between the government and Moroccan society, especially as protests against Israel’s actions continue to grow. “Imams have a right—and in Islam, even a duty—to speak out,” said Ahmed Wehman of the Moroccan Observatory for Anti-Normalization. “The government does not represent the views of the Moroccan people, nor does it speak for us.”
Morocco’s decision to normalize relations with Israel in 2020, along with the government’s position during the ongoing war, has led to frequent demonstrations across the country. Thousands of Moroccans have taken to the streets in protest, demanding that Morocco sever ties with Israel and voicing solidarity with Palestinians. These protests have attracted widespread participation from across the political spectrum, including members of the Justice and Development Party and the banned Islamist group Al Adl Wal Ihsane, whose supporters have also faced arrests for expressing their opposition to the government’s stance.
Geopolitical analyst Hicheme Lehmici highlighted that economic hardships, particularly in Morocco’s major cities, have exacerbated social unrest. “The high cost of living and the difficulty of accessing affordable housing is creating widespread discontent,” Lehmici explained. “The Palestinian issue has become a unifying theme for these protests, which have now grown into a larger social movement.”
The ongoing protests have also brought to light a shift in the political climate of Morocco, with some commentators noting that the Israeli-Palestinian issue has generated new political divisions. “In recent years, opposition to the monarchy, traditionally limited to certain regions, has begun to gain momentum,” said the Secretary of the GIPRI Institute. “The Palestinian issue has attracted broader attention and sparked discussions that challenge the monarchy’s policies.”
For decades, Morocco has maintained strict control over the content of religious sermons. Political science expert Francesco Cavatorta explained that countries like Morocco have historically exerted influence over imams to ensure religious teachings align with national stability. “Morocco’s regulations are designed to present the country as both a Muslim nation and one that is tolerant and inclusive,” he said.
In recent months, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has suspended several preachers who deviated from prescribed sermon guidelines. The Ministry provides weekly sermon instructions to imams, typically issued just before Friday prayers.
The debate over religious discourse in Morocco highlights broader tensions in the region, with imams in countries like Algeria, Egypt, and Syria also being subject to government oversight of their sermons.