Secularization in Morocco: Myths and Realities
Will Morocco ever secularize? This question has puzzled many observers, particularly in the post-Cold War era. The answer, as one might argue, is rooted in the complex interplay between cultural and political factors in the region. Let’s delve deeper into this issue and explore why secularization, as we understand it in Western contexts, is not a feasible outcome in Morocco.
Understanding Secularism in Contemporary Morocco
The concept of secularism in Morocco has been somewhat disconnected from its original socialist roots. Instead, it has become entangled with Westernization and liberalism, creating an awkward alignment with Western values that many Moroccans find unsettling. The perception of Westernization as a panacea, and the subsequent rejection of indigenous cultural practices, is deeply entrenched in Moroccan society.
Malika Mezzane: A Warrior or a War Cry?
One of the most significant figures in this debate is Malika Mezzane. Her advocacy for liberal values, often rooted in a Western perspective, has polarized Moroccan society. Mezzane’s controversial statements and actions, such as calling for ethnic cleansing and making sexually explicit remarks, have earned her widespread ridicule and condemnation. Her views represent the extreme face of secular liberalism, yet they reflect the challenges the secular movement faces in the Arab World.
Mezzane epitomizes the clash between Western and traditional values. Her arguments, while appealing to a small Western audience, are met with disdain and derision in Morocco. In 2017, she was arrested for making statements that called for ethnic cleansing, highlighting the risks of promoting unequally distributed concepts of Western liberal values in a conservative society.
Were People Like Mezzane a Majority or a Minority?
Myriad opinions exist among liberals regarding the extent to which Mezzane accurately represents their movement in Morocco. On one hand, I estimate that 90% of Moroccan liberals share her views, while my liberal Moroccan friends argue that less than 10% hold such positions. Regardless of the numbers, the fact remains that Mezzane and her ilk are the public face of secular liberty, giving it a negative image that deters many Moroccans from embracing it.
The interview with Mezzane on a Moroccan radio station underscores the irony. This interview was not an attempt to spread her message but rather a spectacle to draw viewers. It highlights how her views, albeit extreme, garner significant public curiosity and even scorn, but still shine a light on the broader conflict between Western and indigenous values.
Religion in Moroccan Society: A Double-Edged Sword
Arab society, including Morocco, has a deep-seated spiritual identity that is tightly woven into its cultural and national fabric. Religious Moroccans view their country as a bastion of faith faced with encroaching Western secularism. In contrast, non-religious Moroccans perceive themselves as the vanguard of modernization, with many predicting the imminent decline of religion in the region.
The 2018 survey conducted by the Arab Barometer in Morocco illustrates the complexity of religious sentiments. While a significant portion of youth were not religious in 2018, this percentage dropped dramatically to just 10% by 2022. However, this shift prompts questions about the reliability of the data and the underlying factors driving such changes.
A closer look at the 2022 results reveals a contradictory picture. In 2022, while youth were less religious, the overall percentage of daily prayer and Quran listeners increased. This erratic trend suggests that the data might be skewed or that social norms are in flux. The discrepancies between Western media reports and the actual poll results highlight the need for more comprehensive and nuanced research in the region.
In conclusion, the idea of secularization in Morocco is not a simple one. It is fraught with challenges rooted in deep cultural ties to religion and a sense of national identity shaped by historical and contemporary contexts. While the face of liberal thought in Morocco may appear as that of Malika Mezzane, the reality is more complex. The future of secularism in Morocco remains uncertain but is undoubtedly influenced by the delicate balance between tradition and modernity.