Rachid, a pastor serving in several areas of Morocco, describes his experiences and faith in his day-to-day life. I am Pastor Rachid from Morocco. I lead a Church here and serve Christ in several parts of the country through discipleship training, education, church planting and media. My journey to faith in Jesus Christ and service in Morocco has involved many […]
New complications in the region’s conflicts are threatening to divide powerful allies. At the end of last year, there was an emerging view that the Syrian war had reached its peak and was starting to de-escalate. The last few weeks, however, have pointed in the opposite direction, with some of the fiercest aerial bombing campaigns by forces loyal to Assad […]
Young and hopeless Population: 31 million; 99% Sunni Muslim; <1% Jewish; <1% Christian Literacy: 82% men; 62% women With a median age of 29, Morocco has a young population. But like youths in neighbouring North African countries, their horizons are limited. Some 22 per cent of young men and 38 per cent of young women are unemployed (Al-Monitor, June 2013). […]
For decades North Africa’s young people have pushed against social, economic and religious restrictions. A Moroccan Christian shares their struggles and the new paths some are finding as they turn to Christ. Ever since they shook off European rule or “mandates” between 1951 and 1962, the five countries forming Northwest Africa (known collectively as the “Maghreb”) have not served their […]
It isn’t easy to define “religious freedom” in Morocco. On the one hand, the Moroccan Constitution “guarantees the free exercise of worship for all”. Foreign Christian residents can attend officially recognised Catholic, Evangelical, Anglican or Orthodox churches, and Morocco’s 3,000 to 4,000 Jews generally go about their lives freely. On the other hand, the law does not allow Morocco’s estimated […]
TALENTED BUNCH KEEPS IT IN THE FAMILY When asked who is the best actor, herself or her dad, 11-year-old Aya Mardass immediately replies, “Me!” The room quickly fills with laughter, with Aya’s amongst the loudest. Aya and her producer, director and actor father Hamid are the talents behind the new programme Me and My Daughter, which will be aired on both SAT‑7 […]
Salma’s story Persecution comes in many forms but it can be particularly harsh when your persecutors are your closest family. Salma knows how tough life can be when you follow Jesus in Morocco. Family life had always been difficult. Her father was very tough and her parent’s relationship suffered as a result. This inevitably affected the whole family and left […]
The effects of unrelenting warfare on civilian populations continue to be felt from Syria to the Yemen. Only in Iraq does the fighting raise brighter hopes as so-called Islamic State are pushed out. Syria’s relentless war continues. A French draft resolution to the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire in Aleppo and a no-fly zone to end the […]
A shock coup attempt in Turkey and its aftermath was this month’s most seismic development. Egypt, meanwhile, saw further local attacks on Christians, while efforts to counter so-called Islamic State pressed ahead in Iraq . A night of madness and days of “cleansing” The latest turn of events in the region has pushed even seasoned experts into the “We don’t […]
“Because I am a Woman” looks at the situation of 1 in 5 women in the region When did you last spot a wedding party and stop a moment to gaze at the bride and groom in their joy and finery? But imagine your reaction if you saw that the bride marrying a husband in his 30s was just a […]
