Blog 1 (written by Fatima, posted on Mayra's ipad): Race, ethnicity, or religion
Living in America, I am predispositioned to believe that religion is a private matter and that no one, including the government, can force it on you. While the Moroccan government in no way forces religion onto their people, it is still fascinating to see how they don’t really exercise separation of church and state like the American government does. For example, alcohol and public intoxication is banned in most places in Morocco, other than international cities and restaurants licensed to serve alcohol (Society, 2026). This law is largely influenced by Islamic doctrines that prohibits the consumption of alcohol.
The idea that religion is a public affair in Morocco is an important concept that influences their laws and the responsibility of the King and his government. For example, in order to gain political power, many self-proclaimed religious leaders will preach attractive principles based on the tensions of the time, attract followers, and lead their group towards violence and disorder. In America, this can be seen in the formation of religious cult, and authorities will shut down cults that commit violence. In Morocco, the government acts very similarly, but in 2015 they made a specific religious training institute for imams in order to unify religious doctrines and promote peace (Baylocp & Hlaoua, 2016). All imams in Morocco must graduate from Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams which has courses in psychology, religion, and history (Baylocp & Hlaoua, 2016). This action contrasts America’s law because it shows how the Moroccan government influences the direction of religion and uses it to promote peace, compared to America which focuses on the action of the cult rather than their contentious religious principles. I believe both systems of government is adapted towards the society it governs in order to promote peace in their unique ways.
Society, M. (2026, April 15). Alcohol in Morocco | Drinking laws & where to buy. The Marrakech Society. https://themarrakechsociety.ma/blog/en/alcohol-in-morocco-guide
Baylocq, C., Hlaoua, A., Translated from the French by Stout, C. (2016). Spreading a “moderate Islam”? Morocco’s New African Religious Diplomacy. Afrique contemporaine, No 257(1), 113-128. https://doi.org/10.3917/afco.257.0113.
Fatima, your post also made me reflect on how the relationship between religion and politics may not be as separate in the United States as we sometimes assume. Although the Constitution protects freedom of religion and discourages the establishment of a state religion through the First Amendment, faith still appears to influence public life in many ways. We recite "one nation under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, reflecting the historical influence of faith in American culture, while the First Amendment simultaneously protects religious freedom and the principle of liberty and justice for all, including the right to practice different religions or none at all. Personally, I have observed that some politicians may appeal to religious beliefs, or the appearance of shared religious values, as a way to connect with voters and build trust. Whether those beliefs are deeply held or strategically emphasized can be difficult to determine, but it highlights how religion can continue to shape political identity even within systems designed to separate church and state.
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