Overview:

• The state religion is Islam.

• Judaism is the only other religion to receive any semblance of existential recognition from the constitution and legislation.

• The ultimate authority of the king on religious affairs is highly censorious and immediately politicises the religion and belief throughout the country.

• Recognition and registration are differentiated however a hierarchy of existential recognition exists with Islam at the top and Judaism below; all other belief systems and their derivatives may only gain a semblance of recognition through their legal registration as “associations” which demonstrates that a system of vertical recognition is in place.

• This procedure for registration seems to be the same as that for secular entities which is not ideal.

• The informational requirements of any applicant group seem appropriate but any further expansion would lend them to being intrusive or excessive; however, it is safely presumed that due to the Moroccan government’s broader approach to religion and belief that any submitted information would be unjustly used against groups in the future.

Positive elements:

• Nil.

Recommendations:

• Establish procedures for legal registration of religious entities that are separate from secular ones.

• Establish provisions for existential recognition for all belief systems and their derivatives.

• Repeal any laws that restrict religious activity.