Blog 1: Race, Ethnicity, Culture, or Religion

 “Remind me, what are you doing in Morocco?”, is the most common question on my DM’s (direct messages) lately. To which I would reply with my expectations of learning about agriculture, leadership, and culture. What I did not expect was that one of the strongest impressions I would make as we are halfway through our trip would be the sound of faith.

Throughout our travels across Casablanca, Rabat, Larache, Tanger, Chefchaouen, and Fes, one experience repeatedly captured my attention: hearing the call to prayer echo through cities and communities. Whether walking through medinas, sitting in restaurants, or looking out from our hotel windows, I noticed how prayer was not hidden away behind walls. Faith here seemed woven into everyday life. Even though I now live in the Bible Belt, where church culture and faith are important parts of many communities, I was still struck by how much more visible religion feels in Morocco. In the United States, faith often seems more individualized and privately expressed compared to the way Islam is openly woven into everyday life here.

The identity I chose to explore was Islamic identity in Morocco. Morocco is predominantly Muslim, with over 99% of the population identifying as Sunni Muslim (U.S. Department of State, 2024). Religion appears to function not only as a belief system, but also as a social and cultural framework shaping daily routines and community life (Hassan, 2007). One moment that stood out to me occurred during a tour when our guide shared a story about a mosque and explained that it was intentionally built to become one of the first landmarks visible upon entering the city, rather than the Catholic church. Whether symbolic, historical, or both, I found the message meaningful. It reflected how religion in Morocco is not hidden in the background but visibly integrated into public identity and shared spaces with pride.

As someone who grew up in the Philippines, this visible integration of faith felt simultaneously unfamiliar and oddly familiar. I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic church and raised in a predominantly Catholic country where religious practices were evident in daily life. Religious processions, church festivals, feasts for saints, and community worship were common parts of my childhood. Yet my own spiritual journey eventually changed. After moving to the United States, I met my husband, and through our journey together I rededicated my life to Jesus and chose baptism in a Baptist church, the same church where we later married.

Growing up in the Philippines also exposed me to Islamic communities long before I traveled to Morocco. While the Philippines is largely Catholic (Philippines Statistics Authority, 2023), southern regions such as Mindanao have strong Muslim communities whose history predates Spanish colonization. I had Muslim classmates, acquaintances, friends, and even admired public figures who practiced Islam. Because of this, Islam never felt distant or threatening; it simply represented another expression of faith. However, my experiences as a naturalized American citizen living in the United States have sometimes felt different. I have observed moments where visible expressions of Islamic identity, such as wearing a hijab, appeared to be met with hesitation, discomfort, or assumptions that may stem from unfamiliarity or broader societal narratives. Those observations made me reflect on how exposure and lived experiences can shape perceptions of religious identities.

One societal issue associated with religious identity involves misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding Islam. Research has shown that public perceptions of Muslims in Western societies are frequently shaped by media narratives and broader political discourse, which can contribute to misunderstanding and social bias (Powell, 2011). Such perceptions can create barriers between communities and reinforce assumptions about religious groups without meaningful personal interaction.

As I reflect upon the past few days, I noticed how this experience challenged me to think critically about assumptions people make about religious identities. During one of our tours, our guide explained that many Moroccan women who wear hijabs view them as personal expressions of faith rather than symbols of oppression. That conversation reminded me how often outsiders interpret practices through their own cultural lenses.

As an educator and youth development professional, this realization felt important. In 4-H and education, I have learned repeatedly that exposure matters. Young people often fear what feels unfamiliar. Yet once relationships form and stories are shared, differences become less intimidating and more human.

Being in Morocco felt unexpectedly familiar at times. Instead of church bells, I heard the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer. Instead of church steeples, I saw minarets. Yet underneath those differences, I recognized something universal: people seeking meaning, gathering in community, and expressing devotion.

Authentic leadership asks us to understand perspectives different from our own. Morocco reminded me that understanding identity is not about determining whose traditions are right or wrong. Instead, it is about recognizing that people carry stories shaped by culture, history, and experience. Although faith traditions may differ across borders, it is my hope that respect, curiosity, and human connection remain universal languages.

References

Hassan, R. (2007). On being religious: Patterns of religious commitment in Muslim societies. The Muslim World, 97(3), 437–478. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-1913.2007.00190.x

Powell, K. A. (2011). Framing Islam: An analysis of U.S. media coverage of terrorism since 9/11. Communication Studies, 62(1), 90–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/10510974.2011.533599

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2023). Religious affiliation in the Philippines: 2020 census of population and housing. https://psa.gov.ph/content/religious-affiliation-philippines-2020-census-population-and-housing

U.S. Department of State. (2024). 2023 report on international religious freedom: Morocco. https://2021-2025.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/morocco/