"Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see." -Martin Luther King, Jr.
There is a story behind every story. For every act of progress, there is a story of oppression that came before it. As we look at Morocco this month, we can see the remarkable strides that this country has taken on behalf of women in a Muslim country. They have about 10% of the seats in their House of Representatives reserved for women. They inacted the Family Law which raises the marriagable age of young girls and gives women the right to divorce their husbands. These are great accomplishments and we hope for similar action in the future. But behind these acts of progress we must ask, "Why are they needed in the first place?" The answer would be because Islam itself teaches that women are inferior to men and have less legal rights than a man. There is not enough space here to list what the Qaran and Hadith have to say about women, but do not be fooled by arguments of tradition and culture. The truth is there, plainly spelled out for anyone willing to find it. History can be reshaped and incidents can be explained away, but nothing short of editing and rewriting the Qaran and Hadith can change what it has to say about women and the fact that the majority of people in Hell will be women because of their ungratefulness to their husbands. This post only briefly touches on the role of women cast by Islam and the sharia laws that bind them. (To read more, refer to the references posted.) As we go throughout this month, remember to pray not only for the women of Morocco, but Islamic women everywhere, and especially for the Islamic women who convert to Christianity. Often these women have no legal recourse of action when they are abused and hunted by their own family. Pray for God's grace to be on them all.
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Morocco
Basic Info: Morocco is a country that is slightly larger than California and is located in Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. About 56% of the 31,627,428 (July 2010 est.) population is urban. Only 52.3% of the population is literate, and of that half, only 39.6% are female. Arabic is the official language while French is often the language of business, government, and diplomacy. The internet is available, but it is expensive to obtain. There are two television broadcast networks with state-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other. Foreign TV broadcasts are available through satellite dish. Morocco is one of the primary locations for illegal migration into Spain from North Africa, and it is one of the world's largest producers of illicit hashish. The hashish is mostly sent to Western Europe, and Morocco is a transit point for cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe.
Government: Morocco was first ruled by Moorish dynasties in 788, a hundred years after Arabs conquered North Africa. In 1860, the monarchy began to lose power because Spain occupied Northern Morocco and started a trade rivalry among the powers of Europe. In 1912, the French imposed themselves as protectorate of the country, but Morocco received independence after a long struggle with France in 1956. The country is a constitutional monarchy with the prime minister appointed by the monarch. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. The Chamber of Representatives (or lower house) has 325 seats, and from that 30 seats are elected from national lists of women. The country has made improvements in human rights under King Mohammed VI and its press is moderately free, but the government occasionally takes action against journalists who report on three broad subjects considered to be taboo: the monarchy, Islam, and the status of Western Sahara. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
Economy: King Mohammed VI has instituted several key reforms since 2003 that have helped to stabalize the country. The National Initiative for Human Development (INDH), a $2 billion initiative launched by the King in 2005, has improved social welfare through a successful rural electrification program, an overhaul of the tourism and agriculture sectors, and the gradual replacement of urban slums with decent housing. Despite the INDH's success, Morocco continues to grapple with a high illiteracy rate, a low education enrollment rate, and a high urban youth unemployment rate of around 30%. Moroccan exports have dropped sharply since mid-2008 as a result of the decline in global phosphates prices--the bulk of Moroccan exports by value--and the global economic slowdown. The recession in Europe--Morocco's main export market--also prompted a decline in the flow of foreign tourists and remittances, two primary sources of foreign currency. Morocco's primary economic challenge is to accelerate and sustain growth in order to reduce high levels of unemployment and underemployment. Long-term challenges include improving education and job prospects for Morocco's youth, closing the income gap between the rich and the poor, confronting corruption, and expanding and diversifying exports beyond phosphates and low-value added products.
Religion: Muslim 98.7% (mostly Sunni), Christian 1.1%, Jewish 0.2%
In the seventh century, invading armies brought Islam to Morocco and since then it has become entrenched in the culture. The Moroccan flag is red with a green five-pointed, linear star (which is known as Solomon's seal). The five points represent the five pillars of Islam and show the association between God and the country. King Hassan II, who assumed the throne in 1961, claimed he was a direct descendent of Muhammed. He was dedicated to preserving Islam as the religion of all Moroccans, and his son, King Mohammed VI, appears to be following in his foot steps. Islam is the state religion, and the 1992 constitution is supposed to guarantee freedom of religion for all. However, any criticism of Islam is banned under the Penal Code and is punishable with up to five years in prison. Furthermore, any publication that could "threaten the fundamental institutional policies or religion of the kingdom" can be banned. The majority of Christians are foreign residents and the government denies that there are any indigenous Christians, despite a growing number of Moroccans coming to faith in Christ. While conversion from Islam is not a criminal offense, those who come to Christ have endured ostracism from families, loss of employment, and imprisonment. Missionary work is not allowed, though there are foreign workers in other roles seeking to share their faith. In November of 2006, a Moroccan court sentenced a German tourist, Sadek Noshi Yassa (64) to six months in prison and a fine of 500 dirhams ($68 CAD) for trying to "shake the faith of a Muslim." Authorities alleged that Yassa was distributing books and CDs about the Christian faith to young Muslims on the streets of Agadir. He was able to leave Morocco before the sentence was handed down.
Women in Islam
While it is true that many Islamic women are educated and successful, the vast majority remain illiterate, hidden, and treated as property. Some may say that it is culture and tradition that enslave women, not Islam, but it is hard to ignore Muslim scripture. Shari law prohibits women from looking directly into a man’s eyes, forbids women from wearing shoes that make noise, and it forbids educating them. Men also receive a double inheritance and a woman’s testimony is considered half as credible as a man’s. Men can have four wives while women are allowed one husband, and women are looked at as ‘playthings’ for their husband. If a husband fears disloyalty and ill conduct from his wife, he can admonish her, refuse to share her bed, and then beat her. Husbands can divorce their wives, but a wife cannot divorce her husband. Women are considered to be inherently inferior to men, as well as genetically and legally inferior because of Muhammad’s own words. Once when talking with a group of women, he told them that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were women. When they asked why, he replied because “you curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you.” Women are seen as harmful and a bad omen; temptations to men that lead them astray. All of this and more is recorded in the Quran and Hadith, so don’t be fooled by debates of culture and tradition. Culture and tradition are influenced by religion.
Information compiled from CIA World Fact Book “Morocco”; VOMC “Morocco”; “Unveiling Islam” by Ergun and Emir Caner; “Understanding Muslim Teachings and Traditions” by Phil Paarshall
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Moroccan Female Religious Leaders Visit US
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRZwKU65pos
Women in Morocco still Steps Behind Men
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTlpYMLnhPA
Family Code
Euro News-Women’S Rights Morocco
Morocco
Sunday, January 2, 2011
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