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During my experience in Morocco, one of the identities that has stood out the most was religion, specifically Islam and the role it plays in Moroccan culture and everyday life. Islam is an monotheistic abrahamic religion that Muhammad founded after receiving revelations from an angel in a cave (Rahman et al., 2018). Coming from a loosely Christian background, I've noticed how deeply religion is woven into daily routines, leadership styles, agriculture, family life, and community relationships. Observing this has helped me better understand how identity can shape an entire society's values and priorities. 

About 99% of Morocco's population identifies as Muslim (Morocco-United States Department of State, 2024), with Islam playing a major role in social and cultural life. Religion is not only practiced privately like it is in America, it's also reflected publicly through daily calls to prayer, Ramadan traditions, customs, and community expectations. The values emphasized in Islam, such as charity, respect, discipline, and community support, can be seen throughout Moroccan society. In agricultural communities, cooperation and mutual support appear to be important parts of daily life. This is contrary to American culture, where individualism rules, and people tend to keep to themselves. 

One societal issue connected to religious identity in Morocco is the challenge of balancing modernization and globalization with traditional religious values. Morocco has become increasingly connected to western influences through tourism, social media, education, and internation business. While many younger Moroccan's embrace aspects of globalization, there's still strong expectations tied to religion and traditions. This could cause tension between generations regarding topics such as gender roles, dress, education, and social freedoms. 

An example could be the women of Morocco. They may experience different expectations depending on where they live; urban or rural, and how strongly their families follow traditional religious customs. While Morocco has made progress in women's education and workforce participation, cultural and religious expectations, they still face barriers in employment, economic participation, and leadership roles (Marcelline Amouzou, 2025). This demonstrates how religious and cultural identity can influence social structures and opportunities. 

Studying abroad in Morocco has challenged many assumptions I didn't realize I had. I often viewed religion as something personal or private, as how I practice Christianity, but here, I've seen how religion can also function as a shared cultural foundation that strengthens community bonds and creates a strong sense of identity. Hearing the call to prayer throughout the day, seeing business close during prayer times, and observing the importance of hospitality has shown me how integrated faith can be within a society. 

Despite 99% of the population identifying as Muslim, this experience has reminded me that no culture or identity group is completely uniform. Not every Moroccan practices religion the same way, and people hold a wide range of beliefs and perspectives. It would be inaccurate to stereotype an entire population based on religion alone. Instead, I think the most important lessons has been learning how to identify influences people differently depending on their personal experiences, environment, and generation. 

This trip has expanded my understanding of cultural differences and leadership across societies. It's taught me the importance of approaching unfamiliar identities with curiosity rather than assumptions. 

 

Citations: 

Amouzou, M. (2025, October 28). Moroccan women still face harassment, barriers to equality in employment and politics [Review of Moroccan women still face harassment, barriers to equality in employment and politics]. https://www.afrobarometer.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AD1067-Moroccan-women-still-face-barriers-to-equality-Afrobarometer-27oct25.pdf

Morocco - United States Department of State. (2024, June 26). United States Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-report-on-international-religious-freedom/morocco/

Schimmel, A., Mahdi, M.S., Rahman, F. (2026, May 13). Islam. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Islam

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Comments

  1. Ashley BrownMay 16, 2026 at 3:58 PM

    I really enjoyed reading your post and about the history of the Islam faith. I also noticed on this trip how religion is tied into things even like agriculture and the types of food we consume. It has been interesting to see how different America, an individualist country, is compared to one that seems to value community and respect. It is refreshing to see quite honestly. I have never really thought about how the perspective of different generations within a religion or culture could bring about tension. I feel like this can be seen in America as well or within Christianity. I feel like our generation and some of those surrounding it tend to be more open to modernization while maybe previous generations value tradition more. I think it is important to find a balance. I also think it has been interesting to see how religion can be practiced publicly since American culture is so used to keeping things private. I loved your blog!

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