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The Spectacle Blog

Religious Intolerance, Moroccan Style

By Doug Bandow on 3.8.10 @ 10:55PM

Morocco is supposed to be one of the more moderate Islamic states and a long-time friend of America. But it's still better not to be a Christian or any other non-Muslim. Religious tolerance just ain't high on the list of most Islamic governments, including that in Morocco.

Reports International Christian Concern:

the Village of Hope orphanage in Ain Leuh, Morocco, has been ordered to close by government authorities.

The 20 expatriates that ran the orphanage have been told they must leave the country within three days. The reason given by officials is that the staff has been proselytizing the children to Christianity.

Voice of Hope orphanage has been operating for 10 years, taking in children abandoned by their parents and society. Thirty three children lived there, some since its founding in 2000. Without Voice of Hope (VoH), the future for these children is grim: life on the streets or one of the government "mega" orphanages.

The closure came without warning. "We have always been open about our faith to the authorities," said Chris Broadbent, Human Resources Manager for VoH. "Watching the children be told by their [foster] parents that they had to leave, that they would maybe never see them again, is the most painful thing I have ever witnessed... This is a shame and a disgrace to the leaders of Morocco."

This is the latest in recent similar actions by the Moroccan government. On February 4^th, authorities raided a Christian meeting in Asmis, arresting 18 and deporting the lone foreigner. Since then five other foreign Christian workers have been expelled.

Rabid Islamists insist that they are firm in their faith. But only the uncertain should feel the need to persecute those of other faiths--especially powerless minorities. The only reason to shut down an orphanage is the fear that the children will be attracted to the faith which offers them true love and hope.

Shame on the Moroccan authorities!

View all comments (8) | Leave a comment

ki clark| 3.9.10 @ 4:18AM

Dear Sir:Madam

Hi I am a kiwi also living and working in Morocco and i have just read the article about village of Hope

Please get the Moroccans authorities side of the story as this all seems a little contrived by the management of the village of hope

There are fine lines regarding Christianity teachings as there should be, this is a Muslim country
and the Village of Hope must respect this at all times that is not to say that these children should be aware of Christianity but certainly not taught as the main religion which is what would have been done

People no matter who or what they are in whatever line of business or charity when in a foreign country must at all times respect and adhere to the religion and the laws of the country at all times not change the rules as they go when then make the children like in this case the victims and then contact overseas media with a one sided story making out the moroccan authorities are to fault

These find out the other side of this story

I have lived in Morocco for 4 years and owe and operate 2x businesses and at no time has religion encroached on my business
I respect the laws and the religion of the country I choose to live here this is paramount

I would like to see the human outcry if missionaries came to NZ and opened a orphanage then slowly but surly started teaching Islam to our children there would be a human outcry

These people have a good heart i would imagine but they lose the way with religion

Also there is a part of the story that I am concerned with that these children will be killed I find this incorrect killed by whom this i find a tad ott this comment can cause damage for the kingdom which is one of the most liberal Islamic countries

The Kingdom of Morocco is striding ahead with new laws and practices regarding Human rights , Woman Rights, Tourism etc all under the guidence of His Majesty Mohammed VI and this article can do nothing but help a little to undermine this amazing acheivements that is now occuring in Morocco; the difficulties that Morocco has faced has taken many years to achieve and then we want it fixed in a day impossible

Please lets get to the real story here

Religion ........ cant they just care for the children and let them practice the religion that they have been born into and let this children grow into healthy valued human beings without the teaching of Christianity

do gooders some times do more harm than good and then use the children like in this case a pawn

feed them love them clothe them teach them but leave religion out of it

Dave| 3.9.10 @ 9:36AM

My, "ki clark", you're a fine bootlicker. Were you born that way or did it require years of training?

And Mr Bandow; why doesn't it occur to you that "rabid Islamists" are doing this not because they are insecure in their faith but because the specific content of their faith compels it? In what way are they *not* acting Islamic-ally?

By accusing these "rabid Islamists" that they are insecure, you imply that Islam's basic character is of a piece with the mainstream Judeo-Christian ethic. That is wrong, and coming from someone so intelligent, a form of bigotry.

B. Hold| 3.9.10 @ 10:09AM

ki clark,

You would defend the actions of Moroccan authorities by claiming that those of us who spread the story around are undermining the "progress" of Mohammed VI. My family and close friends have gone to Village of Hope every summer for several years now, and can attest to the fact that these foreigners in your land have always been open about their faith. They teach them about both Christianity and Islam. They do not force any beliefs on these children. They have been abiding by your primitive law system in every way.
If you think it is a good thing that women's rights and tourism have been on your great king's agenda in recent years, then what is so terrible about religious freedom? You say that Christians should come to your country and care for Moroccan children without uttering their thoughts on God. Yet you have such great faith in a government that tells you how to think about everything.

And let me tell you about women's rights...

Do you have any idea why so many orphans and abandoned children exist in Morocco? It is because a merciless theocracy shames women who have children outside of marriage, to the point of fear for their lives. No, they do not shame the men who impregnate them. No, they do not question whether or not the woman consented. They instill so much fear into the women that the best choice for the mother is to leave her child on the doorstep of the mosque. And then what happens? The infants are packed into state-run orphanages. Someone I know witnessed 70 infants lying on the floor around the room with one or two women caring for them. The older children are handcuffed to beds during the day so they do not escape. When they are old enough, they are sent out into the markets to pick pockets. If they do not return with enough money, they are physically beaten.
So let me ask you: if your nation cares so much for its children, why not let them receive better treatment, wherever it comes from? If Islam is the truth, it will be an obvious choice for these children when they are older, as they have learned enough about both Islam and Christianity. If your country is so great and progressive, it has just taught these children otherwise by sending away the only parents they have ever known. At the very least, you could let foreigners adopt children and take them back to their own countries. But no, there is some warped sense of national pride that would gladly sacrifice the well-being of any one of its children to protect its collective image and identity.
I had to laugh out loud at your attempt at inversion, using NZ as an example. First of all, name a secular or Christian nation that mistreats its children the way Morocco does. Secondly, you may be surprised to find that your inversion breaks down in reality. In NZ, in Europe, in America, and in countries which are truly and honestly seeking progress in human rights and equality for all, freedom of religion would protect your hypothetical Islamic orphanage. Sure, there would be Christians and Jews and atheists concerned about it. But the government, at least here in America, would have no authority to send the Muslim missionaries away.
If you truly care for your beautiful Morocco (I have been there and I agree that it is a wonderful place with friendly people), stop defending its retroactive politics and speak up for what is right while there is still time to make real change.

MJ| 3.9.10 @ 2:15PM

Did you seek permission from VOH before printing this article??? The language used and the level of aggression towards Islam and the State could prejudice negotiation. I am one of the International Trustees at VOH and I am saddened you have acted without authority, I hope your knee jerk reaction doesn't cause any further harm. Please get this article off your site and allow the parents and leadership team to deal with this matter in the way they see fit.

B. Hold| 3.9.10 @ 10:20AM

ki clark,

I apologize for overlooking the fact that you are from NZ. It was mentioned at the very beginning of your comment, and then the rest of your post made you sound like someone with so much pride and confidence in the kingdom of Morocco, that I could not have imagined those words coming from someone who was not Moroccan.

Tim| 3.9.10 @ 10:56AM

Matthew 10:16-39 (New International Version)
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

http://www.biblegateway.com/pa.....ersion=NIV