Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RABAT336
2009-04-20 14:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rabat
Cable title:
MOROCCO: INSIGHTS INTO RECENT MISSIONARY EXPULSION
how-toVZCZCXRO4175 PP RUEHBC RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDH RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHTRO DE RUEHRB #0336/01 1101400 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 201400Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0006 INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RABAT 000336
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL/IRF, DRL/NESCA AND NEA/MAG, LONDON AND PARIS
FOR NEA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SCUL SOCI KPAO KIRF SP MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: INSIGHTS INTO RECENT MISSIONARY EXPULSION
REF: A. RABAT 00265
B. RABAT 00221
C. RABAT 00230
D. RABAT 00267
E. RABAT 00281
F. RABAT 00313
G. CASABLANCA 00047
Classified By: POLCOUNS C. Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 RABAT 000336
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL/IRF, DRL/NESCA AND NEA/MAG, LONDON AND PARIS
FOR NEA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SCUL SOCI KPAO KIRF SP MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: INSIGHTS INTO RECENT MISSIONARY EXPULSION
REF: A. RABAT 00265
B. RABAT 00221
C. RABAT 00230
D. RABAT 00267
E. RABAT 00281
F. RABAT 00313
G. CASABLANCA 00047
Classified By: POLCOUNS C. Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Morocco's expulsion of five Christian women
last month accused of proselytizing has created a flurry of
concern among the approximate 4,000 local Christians who meet
regularly throughout Morocco. Three local Christian leaders
from Casablanca (one of whom legally imports and sells
Christian literature) connected to the incident told us that
no one has been officially charged with a crime. With the
exception of the recent bible study raid and reports of
questioning and surveillance, local Christian leaders were
not able to provide any other major current examples of
religious persecution against Christians over the past year.
Some theorize that the bible study raid in Casablanca is a
way for the GOM to show equality after the recent pressure it
applied on Shi'a Muslims for proselytizing. It may also be
the result of the number of people who were meeting in the
apartment without prior permission to organize as a large
group. The Catholic Archbishop in Rabat reported that the
GOM press agency manipulated comments he made over a year ago
and printed a recent story to its benefit immediately after
the Casablanca bible study raid. We are in dialogue with the
GOM on these issues and await an official reply as we
continue to closely monitor the situation. End Summary.
--------------
Poloffs Meet With Local Moroccan Christians
--------------
2. (C) Poloffs met with three local Moroccan Christian men
on April 10 who were closely connected with the recent bible
study raid in Casablanca that resulted in the expulsion of
five Christian foreign women on March 29 for proselytizing
(Ref.A). Jabiri Mustapha (Strictly Protect) is the father of
one of the Moroccan women who was questioned after the recent
raid. He became a Christian in the 1960's, and served time
in prison for being a Christian during the reign of Hassan
II. Hmami Zouhair (Strictly Protect) has been a Christian
for several years. El Hassan Nasry (Strictly Protect) is
married to one of the Moroccan women responsible for
organizing the women's bible study. A Christian
entrepreneur, he owns and operates a book shop in Casablanca
where he legally imports and sells Christian literature.
Nasry rents the apartment where the police raid took place
last month and has used this apartment for the past 1 1/2
years to host weekly bible studies and special worship
services for local Moroccan Christians.
--------------
Inside the Women's Bible Study Raid
--------------
3. (C) According to Nasry, his wife invited a Spanish
relative and some Christian friends living in Spain to
Casablanca to have a bible study and offer spiritual
encouragement to women members of the local Christian
community. None of the foreigners were official
missionaries. All of the Moroccan women present had been
practicing the Christian faith for many years. There were no
Muslims present during the event. Nasry questioned how
authorities could have accused the foreigners of
proselytizing.
4. (C) The bible study started on Thursday, March 26 and was
intended to continue throughout the weekend. The ladies met
without any problems Thursday night, Friday night, and
Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, March 28, the
ladies went to the medina to do some tourist shopping and
noticed a heavy police presence in the area. As soon as the
ladies reconvened at 5:00 PM Saturday, the police knocked on
the door of the apartment, requesting entry. When asked to
present a warrant, officials responded that in Morocco, we
live under emergency law and no warrant was necessary.
Authorities confiscated all cell phones, computers, and
Christian literature that was present in the apartment.
5. (C) Other Embassy sources report that there were 16 women
(9 local Moroccans, 1 American who resides in Casablanca, 1
Iraqi political refugee residing in Casablanca, 4 Spanish and
1 German),1 man who had come to pick up his wife, and a baby
present in the apartment at the time of the arrest.
RABAT 00000336 002 OF 003
Authorities took the Moroccan women to the main police
station in Casablanca where they were individually
questioned. All of the Moroccan women were released from
police custody early in the morning of Sunday, March 29.
Authorities brought no immediate charges against them but
their cases remain open, meaning they can still potentially
face charges. The two non-Moroccans residing in Casablanca
were also released with no charges brought against them. The
Spanish and German women were escorted to the northern border
of Morocco and sent back to Spain on Sunday morning.
--------------
Religious Freedom in Morocco
--------------
6. (C) Poloff asked many times during the interview if the
Moroccan church leaders felt that religious freedom in
Morocco had improved over the years. Each time, the
Moroccans shared persecution stories dating from the reign of
Hassan II as well as a few incidents that occurred 3-5 years
ago. Poloff asked if they could give specific instances of
religious persecution over the past year but they were not
able to share any major current examples with the exception
of last month's bible study raid. As is the case with many
other Moroccan Christians with whom Poloff met previously,
the leaders shared examples of social persecution and
occasional police harassment (Ref. B). Nasry argued that
although the persecution doesn't come directly from the
government, it is the government who has the greatest
influence on society and that it could do more to combat
social persecution if it wanted.
7. (C) According to the Moroccan Church leaders in
Casablanca, there are approximately 4,000 Moroccan Christians
who meet regularly in underground house churches throughout
the country. They suggested that the number of Moroccan
Christians could be as high as 8,000, mostly Berber, and
living predominately in the South. Nasry said that most
Moroccan Christians do not want to meet regularly with others
because they fear the social discrimination and possible
government harassment.
8. (C) The April 2 edition of the Arabic language paper
Assabah reported that the Minister of Interior ordered his
forces to maintain surveillance of the different churches in
the country as well as local and foreign organizations
associated with these churches and to note the names of all
Moroccan nationals who enter these churches for any purpose.
Nasry told Poloffs that since the raid in Casablanca, several
Moroccan house churches throughout the country have reported
authorities questioning all known Christians of their
activities. Some local house churches were even canceling
Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. Nasry opined, "They
(the GOM) are preparing for something big."
--------------
Spanish Connection To Bible Study Raid?
--------------
9. (C) Surprisingly, the Casablanca church leaders suggested
that the recent Bible study raid was not an attack on
Christianity but rather a result of ongoing discord between
Morocco and Spain. Nasry speculated that the raid was likely
related to Morocco's March 8 expulsion of a member of the
Spanish secret service based in Nador and accused of
financing the activities of a Moroccan human rights activist
known to be outspoken against the GOM on drug trafficking
issues. The church leaders also suggested that recent
comments from a Spanish parliamentarian against King Mohammed
VI and the activities of Spanish NGO Kif Kif recently
speaking out on homosexual rights in Morocco (Ref. C and D)
could also be catalysts behind the Casablanca bible study
raid.
--------------
Catholic Archbishop Weighs In
--------------
10. (C) Rabat Catholic Archbishop Monsignor Vincent Landen
met with Poloff on April 15 to discuss religious freedom and
the recent events in Casablanca. Monsignor Landen suggested
that the reason behind the raid may be due to the number of
people present in the apartment. According to the
Archbishop, there truly is not freedom of religion for local
Moroccans and Moroccan law permits authorities to legally
disband any group of more than 10 people who do not have
prior permission to meet as a group. Landen also suggested
that the raid could have been an opportunity for the GOM to
demonstrate equality and fairness after their recent
RABAT 00000336 003 OF 003
targeting of Shi'a proselytizers (Ref.E, F, and G). He also
informed Poloff that the March 30 Maghreb Arab Press
(Official Government Press Agency) report stating that he and
Protestant Church Chairman Jean Luc Blanc issued a formal
statement condemning proselytizing immediately following the
expulsion of the foreign Christians was false. Landen
explained that in April 2008, he and Blanc wrote a press
release statement condemning proselytizing in Morocco after a
series of press articles highlighted evangelical Christian
activity last year. Landen said that MAP refused to publish
their statement at the time, held on to it for a year, and
pulled it out to use last month when it was convenient for
them to do so.
11. (C) Comment: Recent GOM activities targeting Shi'a
Muslims, Bhai, and Christians will affect the image of
religious tolerance that Morocco has fought so hard to
protect and build upon over the past several years. Many
conspiracy theories exists: from Morocco retaliation against
Spain, breaking of political ties with Iran, and attempts to
ward off radical Islamic elements leading up to the local
June elections. Murmurs of minority groups being questioned
by police continue but we are not aware of anyone being
charged with a crime, detained as a religious prisoner, or
suffering physical abuse. We are in dialogue with the GOM
and are awaiting their official response to questions we have
raised about these issues. We will continue to monitor the
situation closely. End Comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco
*****************************************
Jackson
SIPDIS
STATE FOR DRL/IRF, DRL/NESCA AND NEA/MAG, LONDON AND PARIS
FOR NEA WATCHER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/13/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL SCUL SOCI KPAO KIRF SP MO
SUBJECT: MOROCCO: INSIGHTS INTO RECENT MISSIONARY EXPULSION
REF: A. RABAT 00265
B. RABAT 00221
C. RABAT 00230
D. RABAT 00267
E. RABAT 00281
F. RABAT 00313
G. CASABLANCA 00047
Classified By: POLCOUNS C. Karp for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Morocco's expulsion of five Christian women
last month accused of proselytizing has created a flurry of
concern among the approximate 4,000 local Christians who meet
regularly throughout Morocco. Three local Christian leaders
from Casablanca (one of whom legally imports and sells
Christian literature) connected to the incident told us that
no one has been officially charged with a crime. With the
exception of the recent bible study raid and reports of
questioning and surveillance, local Christian leaders were
not able to provide any other major current examples of
religious persecution against Christians over the past year.
Some theorize that the bible study raid in Casablanca is a
way for the GOM to show equality after the recent pressure it
applied on Shi'a Muslims for proselytizing. It may also be
the result of the number of people who were meeting in the
apartment without prior permission to organize as a large
group. The Catholic Archbishop in Rabat reported that the
GOM press agency manipulated comments he made over a year ago
and printed a recent story to its benefit immediately after
the Casablanca bible study raid. We are in dialogue with the
GOM on these issues and await an official reply as we
continue to closely monitor the situation. End Summary.
--------------
Poloffs Meet With Local Moroccan Christians
--------------
2. (C) Poloffs met with three local Moroccan Christian men
on April 10 who were closely connected with the recent bible
study raid in Casablanca that resulted in the expulsion of
five Christian foreign women on March 29 for proselytizing
(Ref.A). Jabiri Mustapha (Strictly Protect) is the father of
one of the Moroccan women who was questioned after the recent
raid. He became a Christian in the 1960's, and served time
in prison for being a Christian during the reign of Hassan
II. Hmami Zouhair (Strictly Protect) has been a Christian
for several years. El Hassan Nasry (Strictly Protect) is
married to one of the Moroccan women responsible for
organizing the women's bible study. A Christian
entrepreneur, he owns and operates a book shop in Casablanca
where he legally imports and sells Christian literature.
Nasry rents the apartment where the police raid took place
last month and has used this apartment for the past 1 1/2
years to host weekly bible studies and special worship
services for local Moroccan Christians.
--------------
Inside the Women's Bible Study Raid
--------------
3. (C) According to Nasry, his wife invited a Spanish
relative and some Christian friends living in Spain to
Casablanca to have a bible study and offer spiritual
encouragement to women members of the local Christian
community. None of the foreigners were official
missionaries. All of the Moroccan women present had been
practicing the Christian faith for many years. There were no
Muslims present during the event. Nasry questioned how
authorities could have accused the foreigners of
proselytizing.
4. (C) The bible study started on Thursday, March 26 and was
intended to continue throughout the weekend. The ladies met
without any problems Thursday night, Friday night, and
Saturday morning. On Saturday afternoon, March 28, the
ladies went to the medina to do some tourist shopping and
noticed a heavy police presence in the area. As soon as the
ladies reconvened at 5:00 PM Saturday, the police knocked on
the door of the apartment, requesting entry. When asked to
present a warrant, officials responded that in Morocco, we
live under emergency law and no warrant was necessary.
Authorities confiscated all cell phones, computers, and
Christian literature that was present in the apartment.
5. (C) Other Embassy sources report that there were 16 women
(9 local Moroccans, 1 American who resides in Casablanca, 1
Iraqi political refugee residing in Casablanca, 4 Spanish and
1 German),1 man who had come to pick up his wife, and a baby
present in the apartment at the time of the arrest.
RABAT 00000336 002 OF 003
Authorities took the Moroccan women to the main police
station in Casablanca where they were individually
questioned. All of the Moroccan women were released from
police custody early in the morning of Sunday, March 29.
Authorities brought no immediate charges against them but
their cases remain open, meaning they can still potentially
face charges. The two non-Moroccans residing in Casablanca
were also released with no charges brought against them. The
Spanish and German women were escorted to the northern border
of Morocco and sent back to Spain on Sunday morning.
--------------
Religious Freedom in Morocco
--------------
6. (C) Poloff asked many times during the interview if the
Moroccan church leaders felt that religious freedom in
Morocco had improved over the years. Each time, the
Moroccans shared persecution stories dating from the reign of
Hassan II as well as a few incidents that occurred 3-5 years
ago. Poloff asked if they could give specific instances of
religious persecution over the past year but they were not
able to share any major current examples with the exception
of last month's bible study raid. As is the case with many
other Moroccan Christians with whom Poloff met previously,
the leaders shared examples of social persecution and
occasional police harassment (Ref. B). Nasry argued that
although the persecution doesn't come directly from the
government, it is the government who has the greatest
influence on society and that it could do more to combat
social persecution if it wanted.
7. (C) According to the Moroccan Church leaders in
Casablanca, there are approximately 4,000 Moroccan Christians
who meet regularly in underground house churches throughout
the country. They suggested that the number of Moroccan
Christians could be as high as 8,000, mostly Berber, and
living predominately in the South. Nasry said that most
Moroccan Christians do not want to meet regularly with others
because they fear the social discrimination and possible
government harassment.
8. (C) The April 2 edition of the Arabic language paper
Assabah reported that the Minister of Interior ordered his
forces to maintain surveillance of the different churches in
the country as well as local and foreign organizations
associated with these churches and to note the names of all
Moroccan nationals who enter these churches for any purpose.
Nasry told Poloffs that since the raid in Casablanca, several
Moroccan house churches throughout the country have reported
authorities questioning all known Christians of their
activities. Some local house churches were even canceling
Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. Nasry opined, "They
(the GOM) are preparing for something big."
--------------
Spanish Connection To Bible Study Raid?
--------------
9. (C) Surprisingly, the Casablanca church leaders suggested
that the recent Bible study raid was not an attack on
Christianity but rather a result of ongoing discord between
Morocco and Spain. Nasry speculated that the raid was likely
related to Morocco's March 8 expulsion of a member of the
Spanish secret service based in Nador and accused of
financing the activities of a Moroccan human rights activist
known to be outspoken against the GOM on drug trafficking
issues. The church leaders also suggested that recent
comments from a Spanish parliamentarian against King Mohammed
VI and the activities of Spanish NGO Kif Kif recently
speaking out on homosexual rights in Morocco (Ref. C and D)
could also be catalysts behind the Casablanca bible study
raid.
--------------
Catholic Archbishop Weighs In
--------------
10. (C) Rabat Catholic Archbishop Monsignor Vincent Landen
met with Poloff on April 15 to discuss religious freedom and
the recent events in Casablanca. Monsignor Landen suggested
that the reason behind the raid may be due to the number of
people present in the apartment. According to the
Archbishop, there truly is not freedom of religion for local
Moroccans and Moroccan law permits authorities to legally
disband any group of more than 10 people who do not have
prior permission to meet as a group. Landen also suggested
that the raid could have been an opportunity for the GOM to
demonstrate equality and fairness after their recent
RABAT 00000336 003 OF 003
targeting of Shi'a proselytizers (Ref.E, F, and G). He also
informed Poloff that the March 30 Maghreb Arab Press
(Official Government Press Agency) report stating that he and
Protestant Church Chairman Jean Luc Blanc issued a formal
statement condemning proselytizing immediately following the
expulsion of the foreign Christians was false. Landen
explained that in April 2008, he and Blanc wrote a press
release statement condemning proselytizing in Morocco after a
series of press articles highlighted evangelical Christian
activity last year. Landen said that MAP refused to publish
their statement at the time, held on to it for a year, and
pulled it out to use last month when it was convenient for
them to do so.
11. (C) Comment: Recent GOM activities targeting Shi'a
Muslims, Bhai, and Christians will affect the image of
religious tolerance that Morocco has fought so hard to
protect and build upon over the past several years. Many
conspiracy theories exists: from Morocco retaliation against
Spain, breaking of political ties with Iran, and attempts to
ward off radical Islamic elements leading up to the local
June elections. Murmurs of minority groups being questioned
by police continue but we are not aware of anyone being
charged with a crime, detained as a religious prisoner, or
suffering physical abuse. We are in dialogue with the GOM
and are awaiting their official response to questions we have
raised about these issues. We will continue to monitor the
situation closely. End Comment.
*****************************************
Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website;
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Moro cco
*****************************************
Jackson