The Kingdom of Morocco has proven beyond all reasonable doubts that cultural difference can be a meaningful contribution to the growth and development of people regardless of their economic, social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
The issue of cultural diversity has been used positively by the people of the Kingdom of Morocco which is currently impacting every sector of their society.
The Kingdom of Morocco is known as the “Land of Tolerance” because of its ability to unify people from diverse cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Historically, and up to now, the Kingdom of Morocco has been inhabited by Jews, Christians and Muslims who have lived together for centuries, contributing to the immense development the Kingdom is experiencing.
According to a Religious Demography study released by the U.S. government in 2022, about 99 percent of the estimated 36.7 million population are Sunni Muslim, and less than 0.1 percent of the population is Shia Muslim. Groups together constituting less than one percent of the population include Christians, Jews, and Baha’is.
According to Jewish community leaders, there are an estimated 3,500 Jews in the country, approximately 2,500 of whom reside in Casablanca. Some Christian community leaders estimated that there are between 1,500 and 12,000 Christian citizens distributed throughout the country.
However, the Moroccan Association of Human Rights estimated in 2022 that there are 25,000 Christian citizens.
Meanwhile, Jews, Christians, and Bahas population have practiced their religious belief side- by-side with their Muslim counterparts.
Historical Fact about Morocco’s Tolerance
According to World history, Morocco’s nature of tolerance dates as far back as World War II, when Sultan Mohammed V of Morocco famously refused demands from the collaborationist (The French Government headed by Vichy) to hand over Morocco’s 250,000 Jewish citizens, declaring,
“There are no Jews in Morocco, only Moroccan citizens,” asserting they were all under his protection, thus preventing mass deportations and shielding them from the Holocaust’s horrors, a stance marked by defiance, delayed enforcement of discriminatory laws, and symbolic acts like seating Jewish leaders next to French officials at state events.
Additionally, when Vichy of France implemented anti-Semitic legislation, Mohammed V of Morocco refused to enforce them, stating he disagreed with them and saw no distinction between his Muslim and Jewish subjects.
He insisted that all people in Morocco, Jews and Muslims, were his subjects and under his protection, using his authority as “Commander of the Faithful”.
He used grand gestures, like inviting Jewish leaders to the Throne Day banquet and seating them prominently, to underscore his message of unity and equality, and even threatened to wear the yellow star himself if forced upon Jews.
Outcome of King Mohammed V Decision
No Deportations: Due to his steadfast resistance and the country’s relative distance from the European theater, not a single Moroccan Jew was deported to Nazi death camps.
Survival: Thousands of Moroccan Jews, some arriving as refugees from Europe, survived the war because of his actions, alongside the native Jewish population.
Sultan Mohammed V is remembered as a courageous leader who protected his people, ensuring their safety during one of history’s darkest periods, solidifying a legacy of unity and justice in Moroccan history.
Observation During a Historical Tour of Morocco’s Commercial City Casablanca
During a Historical tour of Casablanca organized by the National Association of Media and Publishers (ANME), in Morocco, it was observed that people from other faiths still visits the Hassan Mosque along with Muslims from around the world.
The Hassan Mosque famous for its iconic architecture and seaside location has attracted Christians and people of other faiths because it is one of the few mosques in Morocco that is still open to non-Muslims, allowing them to appreciate its stunning Islamic architecture, vast scale (world’s second largest), oceanfront setting, and rich cultural heritage.
Christmas and New Year Celebrations in Morocco
With over 99 percent of its citizens being Muslims, Moroccans share gifts, good tidings with their Christian brothers and sisters during the Christmas and New Year Celebrations.
Entertainment centers as well as restaurants are decorated with Christmas trees as well as other decorations commemorating the Christians holiday.
According to Mr. Mamoune Kadiri, the Group Tour Coordinator of the Association of National Media and Publishers, Moroccans respect and adore every religion and tradition even though the majority of the population are Muslims.
He stressed the need to love, respect and care for one another as a means of fostering peace and tranquility for the growth and development of the Kingdom.
In respect of religious tolerance in the Kingdom of Morocco, some of the notable churches include: Church of Notre Dame of Lourdes, the Church of The Sacred Heart, St. John’s Anglican Church, and Eglise San Buenaventura.
The Catholic Community of Casablanca are free to operate but with respect to the religion of the Kingdom of Morocco which is Islam. As a result of this tolerance, Muslims, Christians and Jews are living together thus making the Kingdom a place of peace, love and harmony for everybody.
This tolerance exhibited by Morocco for over a century needs to be replicated by other countries around the world as a way of making the world a better place for everyone regardless of religion, political affiliation, and cultural background amongst others.