Missions in Morocco

Roman historian Gaius Crispus Sallust wrote that the first occupiers of Morocco were Libyan, a people, “without any form of religion…”.[1] He notes that the aboriginals were followed by white-skinned peoples “of Semitic stock”[2]. It is said that Jews were in Morocco before the First Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. One website speaks of legends which say,

“in the days of Solomon and the Phoenicians, the Hebrews came to Sala (Chella) in the vicinity of Salé (Rabat) in order to purchase gold in large quantities”.[3] Additionally, it recalls Joab being “sent to Morocco to fight the Philistines, who had been driven out of Canaan,”.[4] Joab is mentioned in relation to David frequently throughout the Old Testament (I Kings, and I and II Samuel). As he was David’s, Commander of the Army, it is not difficult to assume that might have been the Joab of these legends.[5]

          North Africa, especially the Maghreb, experienced Jewish missions long before the Arabs made their conquests of the area. There was a large population of North African Jews, some of them converted from the Berbers, in the 6^th and 7^th centuries.[6] Due to persecution, many Spanish Jews fled the Iberian Peninsula and settled in North Africa, as well.

Hebrew and Greek tombstone inscriptions near Fez and Rabat, attest to this Jewish populace[7].

          Germanic Vandals, as well as Romans, eventually invaded the region containing Morocco, but to little religious effect.[8] Raiders along the coast in the fifty years after Mohammed’s death opened the door to Islam in North Africa. The incursions occurred through a convenient opening in the Atlas Mountains, the Taza Gap. Frequent tribal conflict necessitated the assistance of foreign help, but these outsiders brought along their religion, etc., and their support ultimately led to subjugation. By the early 8^th century, Islam had gained a stronghold via three-pronged contact. Bedouin tribes to the West “infested Upper Egypt” as marauders, as one website quotes.[9]

Another group, led by a descendant of Mohammed found asylum with the Berber, who cast him into leadership of the sect. A third group of Berbers who inhabited the area between the Mediterranean and the Western Sahara were influenced by Sanhaja chiefs who returned from a pilgrimage to Mecca full of Islamic fervor, introducing Sunni beliefs. This triangulation of conversion led to Islamic dynasties that proceeded to rule Morocco for centuries, becoming more powerful, authoritarian and zealous.[10]

          In the Middle Ages, Frankish Jews, from Holland and other northern European locations, came to Morocco to escape persecution.[11] This may seem antithetical, as Muslims and Jews are notorious historic rivals. However, the established Jewry long existing in Morocco, as well as the relatively hands-off policies regarding Jews and Christians made this Islamic state a hospitable option. As time passed and the rulers of Morocco came and went, policies changed. At times this led to harsher circumstances for non-Muslims, while at other times, the severity diminished. Ultimately, however, few Jews continued to relocate to the ever-evolving Islamic nation, until nowadays all that remain are mostly elderly Jews. They, along with Christians, make up only 1% of the Moroccan population.[12]

One of the earliest Christian missionaries to Morocco was an American, George C. Reed, who arrived in 1897. He spent 54 years preaching throughout Morocco and Mali, translating the Bible into a challenging Berber dialect, and living among the various tribes.[13] Another was Paul E. Freed, who arrived in Morocco in 1952 to create a radio station to transmit the Gospel over the what became, the Voice of Tangiers.[14]

As recently as 2004, there were as many as 800 missionaries who accounted for 1000 conversions to Christianity, although these numbers remain unofficial due to fear of reprisals, if recorded.[15] Catholic and Christian missions continue to be the modern-day evangelical presence in Morocco, but usually surreptitiously.[16] Modern law prohibits proselytizing,[17] and those found with Arabic Bibles can be imprisoned.[18] Nevertheless, mission groups representing various Protestant faiths, and the Catholic Church, have established businesses in the country which fund their covert work.[19] Although the Moroccan constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Islam is the state religion, and mission work is basically forbidden.[20] Muslims who convert do not face imprisonment or death, as in some other African and Middle Eastern Islamic countries, but they are usually excommunicated by family and friends and fellow Muslims, and lose their jobs.[21] Neither missionaries, nor converts, in Morocco may live their faith in the open, and remain consigned to the shadows for living out or sharing their faith.[22]. 

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[1] "The Political and Economic History of Morocco," The Political and Economic History of Morocco, accessed February 23, 2017, http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/morocco.htm.

[2] Ibid.

[3] "Morocco Virtual Jewish History Tour," Jewish Virtual Library, 2008, accessed February 23, 2017, http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/morocco-virtual-jewish-history-tour.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid., Political and Economic.

[7] Ibid., Morocco Virtual History.

[8] Ibid., Political and Economic.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Ibid.

[11] Ibid., Morocco Virtual History

[12] Kacie Graves, "Christians in Morocco: A Crisis of Faith," U.S. News & World Report, September 30, 2015,  accessed February 23, 2017, https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/09/30/christians-in-morocco-a-crisis-of-faith.

[13] Gerald H. Anderson, "Diary of African Christian Biography," George C. Reed, Morocco / Mali, Gospel Missionary Union, accessed February 23, 2017, http://www.dacb.org/stories/morocco/reed_george.html.

[14] Howard Culbertson, "February Missions History: It Happened Today...," Missions History: What Happened on This Date in February, 2002, accessed February 23, 2017, https://home.snu.edu/~hculbert/february.htm.

[15] "Christian Missionaries Eye Morocco," Morocco Muslim Population Article, accessed February 23, 2017, http://www.muslimpopulation.com/africa/Morocco/.

[16] Ibid., Graves.

[17] "Missionaries Seek New Converts in Morocco and North Africa," UsIslam, accessed February 23, 2017, http://www.usislam.org/missionaries/Missionaries-in-Morocco-and-North-Africa.htm.

[18] "Religious Beliefs In Morocco," WorldAtlas, October 27, 2016, accessed February 03, 2017, http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-morocco.html.

[19]. Ibid., Christian Missionaries.

[20] Ibid., Missionaries Seek New.

[21] Tom Pfeiffer, "Christian Missionaries Stir Unease in North Africa," Reuters, December 15, 2008, accessed February 23, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-maghreb-missionaries-idUSTRE4BE0JL20081215

[22] Ibid., Graves.

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Pictures (chronologically):

Edward Poynter, The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon, 1890, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia, in Wikipedia Commons, accessed February 23, 2017, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:'The_Visit_of_the_Queen_of_Sheba_to_King_Solomon',_oil_on_canvas_painting_by_Edward_Poynter,_1890,_Art_Gallery_of_New_South_Wales.jpg

Yvonne Garcia, "The History of the Crypto-Jews/Hispanic Sephardic Jews," map, The Association of Crypto-Jews, accessed February 23, 2017, http://cryptojew.org/the-history-of-the-crypto-jewshispanic-sephardi.

                 Bedouin Berbers, 1000 Images of Beduoin Berbers, in Google Images, , accessed February 23, 2017, https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6e/40/96/6e409620c075f2a1477695c28300fa5c.jpg.

                 Trans World Radio - A Tribute. On the Shortwaves, Letterhead. 1956.

Morocco’s First Contacts

Morocco has been called, “the land at the end of the world, or the land behind the beyond”.[1] This is due to its tactical location at the northwest corner of the African continent, and the resulting mix of cultures that have influenced its fluctuating populations. No one is certain who the original peoples were who populated Morocco before it was known as such. Only some Algerian

[2]

cave drawings point to an aboriginal group who wandered the mountains, deserts and grasslands. One theory promotes the idea of these natives being descendants of the Harratines. These are black-skinned, Muslim, Africans who dwell in the southern part of the nation and who hold little status, and work at menial jobs. Or they could be descendants of later cultures, such as the Berbers, or wandering nomad groups from further south who sought better climactic conditions, possibly they are remnant populations of slaves which belonged to the migratory traders of ancient Northern Africa.[3]

However, the first identifiable populace with its own distinct history and culture are the Berbers.

[4]

They were a very large and far-flung people group with individual regimes across Morocco for many centuries. Early on, in the 7^th century, Arabs first brought Islam to the territory, and the Berbers began being converted. Among the different sects of the Berbers were the Zenatas, who lived in the Atlas Mountain region, in a high plateau area, and rode horses. The Sanhajas occupied the Mediterranean coastline to the Western Sahara Desert, much further south. This faction was responsible for bringing the Sunni faith of Islam to the nation, after several of their leadership made the pilgrimage to Mecca in the 11^th century.  The Almoravids, Almohads and Merinids/Wattasids were dynasties which lasted centuries, and were known as the Sa’ads. Later, other dynasties took control, including the Idisid, the Saadi and the Alaouites, who are still in power today. These long-lived dynasties brought stability, even if local tribes often warred amongst each other.[5] Morocco became a place of learning and culture, resulting from the stabilizing effect of their common Islamic dogma.  

During the 9^th century, the reigning dynasty was repelled attacks by the Ottoman Turks who successfully invaded nearby nations. Morocco remained independent throughout the 18^th and 19^th centuries, but faced a showdown with European powers early in the 20^th. As the French and Germans and other European nations began seeking control of African territories and nations, Morocco’s sultan kings continued to reign, but with less power under French and Spanish protectorate status. In the mid-1900’s, the acting sultan requested independence, and in 1974, King Hassan sought to claim the Sahara Desert, owned by Spain. The area, known as Mauritania, and the Western Sahara Desert, remain disputed to this day.[6]

[7]

Today Morocco is still led by a king via lineal succession. However, it boasts modern cities with Muslims, Jews and Christians all living peaceably amongst each other, rare in Islamic cultures.[8] The nation is a desirable, tourist destination, with its vast coastline and proximity to the Iberian Peninsula, as well as its international cities, art, centers of learning and multi-cultural population.

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[1] . "The Political and Economic History of Morocco," The Political and Economic History of Morocco, accessed February 17, 2017, http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/morocco.htm.

[2] Algerian cave painting, digital image, The Political and Economic History of Morocco, accessed February 17, 2017, http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/tasili1.jpg.

[3] Ibid., The Political and Economic History.

[4] Berbers of North Africa, digital image, Eurasian Origins of Berbers and Modern North Africans, May 2, 2008, accessed February 17, 2017, https://mathildasanthropologyblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/berbers.jpg.

[5] "History of Morocco - A Trip Down Memory Lane," Morocco Information | History of Morocco, accessed February 17, 2017, http://www.marokko-info.nl/english/history-of-morocco/.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Susanne Kaiser, "Map of north-western Africa showing Morocco, Algeria, and the disputed territory of Western Sahara," digital image, The Curse of Resources, August 29, 2014, accessed February 17, 2017, https://en.qantara.de/sites/default/files/styles/editor_large/public/uploads/2014/08/29/westsahara_dw_0.jpg?itok=JKQ8Vzm0.

[8] "Religious Beliefs In Morocco," WorldAtlas, October 27, 2016, accessed February 03, 2017, http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-morocco.html.

Morocco’s Natural Resources

Although Morocco is rich in natural resources, as is the entire African continent, some of its most abundant are fish, salt, and a plethora of minerals and metals.[1]

Raw minerals and metals are plenteous in this relatively small country, as is the case with all of Africa. The geology of the continent has benefited over the millennia, as the verdant landscape of rivers and lakes, mountains and volcanoes, and lush forests contributed to decay of biological matter, and was converted to natural resources. Decomposition and volcanic activity over the centuries have created a continent abounding in potential wealth, but often without the means to extract it. Due to colonization and lack of necessary capital and technological resources, much of Africa’s abundance still lies untouched, deep underground.[2]  Fossil fuels, metals such as iron ore, copper, zinc and tin, as well as gold and platinum, are plentiful.[3] Africa also boasts a treasure trove of precious gems, such as the diamonds of South Africa.[4]

Morocco holds the lion’s share of phosphate deposits throughout the world, which has helped its economy flourish.[5] The uninhabited Western Sahara along the Atlantic coast is plentiful in this rock mineral, where it is easily mined, thanks to the sparseness of population.[6]

 Salt, a longtime export from Africa, is also a common Moroccan product. It is found in various sizes of rough, raw crystals which are collected from the salt beds of the coastline. For household use, it is ground with a mortar and pestle, and is highly valued in cooking.[7]

Having a combined coastline of 1750 kilometers bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea – the richest of all Atlantic regions –fishing is a major staple of the Moroccan economy. Most common species are sardines (pelagic sardinella) and mackerel (Trachurus), although the seas along Morocco teem with as many as 65 different species popular for culinary export.[8]

Morocco has profited, as noted previously, from its strategic location across the Straits from the Iberian Peninsula and adjoining two oceans, and by the trading opportunities this makes possible.[9] With its varied and lucrative natural resources, which lurk along its coastlines and under its sands, savannahs and mountain valleys, Morocco has exploited both circumstances to become an economically prosperous society.

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[1] John Muhaise Bikalemesa, "Natural resources of Morocco," Fortune of Africa Morocco, March 14, 2014, , accessed February 08, 2017, http://fortuneofafrica.com/morocco/2014/02/22/natural-resources-of-morocco/.

[2] "Minerals and Mining," Africa: Minerals and Mining, , accessed February 08, 2017, http://geography.name/minerals-and-mining/.

[3] Ibid., John Muhaise Bikalemesa.

[4] Ibid., “Minerals and Mining”.

[5] Ibid., John Muhaise Bikalemesa.

[6] W. H. Barker. "Historical Geography of West Africa." The Geographical Teacher 10, no. 2 (1919): 54-58. ttp://www.jstor.org/stable/40556553.

[7] Ibid., John Muhaise Bikalemesa.

[8] Ibid.

[9] "Snapshot, Africa: Morocco," Snapshot, Africa: Morocco, accessed January 19, 2017, http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Africaweb/snapshot/Morocco.htm.

Moroccan Religion and Mythology 

The predominant religion of Morocco is Islam. Although there are a small number of Jews and Christians, Muslims make up a whopping 99% of the population. Most of these

are Sunni Muslims.[1]                                               

Hassan II Mosque, Casablance, Taraweeh Prayers [2]

In Islam, there are two distinct branches, Sunni and Shia. They differ in who they believe to be the first Caliph, following the Prophet Muhammed. The Sunni of Morocco, part of the Maliki School of jurisprudence, which follows the Quran and hadiths for instruction, believe it was his father-in-law, Abu Bakr. The Shia, who are found primarily in large numbers in Iran and Iraq, believe it was his son-in-law (also, cousin).[3] Centuries of hostility and conflict has arisen over this simple disagreement about the in-laws; alas, some things never change!

Islam came to Morocco in the late 600’s, when it was introduced by Arabs from Syria, known as the Umayyads. Eventually, the natives (Berbers) converted, and the recurring dynasties became more and more entrenched in Islam. The current dynasty - dynasty – the Alaouites – profess to kinship with the Prophet Muhammed.[4]

Moulay Idriss Mosque, Fez with zellige wall[5]

Jews, however, were the first to arrive, (500 A.D.) following their dispersion throughout the world when the Babylonians destroyed their second temple. Later Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans made their way to Morocco, and brought Catholicism to the nation. Roman Catholic Christians and Jews make up only a tiny percentage of the population, however, although Morocco is one of few Arab countries which constitutionally guarantees religious tolerance (since 2011). Therefore, Jews and Christians live in relative security from persecution. It is said that many Moroccans are atheists, but only in secret. Outwardly they participate in Islamic rituals so they can function at will in society and escape clan/family intimidation.[6]

Although there are laws on the books that favor Muslims over non-Muslims, Islamic radicalization has been avoided thanks to an eschewal of fundamentalism. Still, don’t let yourself be discovered reading the Bible in Arabic, unless you are looking for a heap of trouble; Arabic Bibles are forbidden by law, as conversion from Islam to Christianity is considered a punishable crime.[7] (In nearby Arab countries, you and your convert might end up beheaded!)[8]

Due to their weak showing among the population, Judaism and Christianity have made little impact upon Morocco. However, there are few origin myths from Morocco’s Islamic history, although it has been the prevalent faith. This may be due to the nation’s location at the top western corner of Northern Africa, on the sea, and its international exposure via trade through the Straits of Magellan. One myth, however, is well-known – the mythology surrounding a character named Aïsha Kandisha.[9] This female figure is one that strikes fear into the hearts of Moroccans, especially men. She is purported to reside near water, and may take the form of an enticingly beautiful woman, or a hag. Sometimes she is said to carry dragging chains. Her goal is to bewitch a man, follow and pursue him, cause him to go crazy and to never find success.[10] This mythological figure is known as a djinn, or genie.[11] This narrative plays into the Arab/Islamic, male-driven and dominated, societal, class system where women are considered little more than property. The mythology of Aïsha Kindasha (Qandisha)[12], whose name Moroccans shudder to speak,[13] refers to her (in one website) as:

Aïsha Kindasha (Qandasha) [14]

…ttab‘a…stereotyped as an untrustworthy, insatiable female. She is described as a monstrous woman who eats children and destroys family bonds. This mythical description stems from a presumed need in a patriarchal order to control and protect women. The collective threat women represent for the male world is projected on the world of jinns. The assumption that if women are left unrestrained can cause tumult and chaos, fitna, is represented in the myth of um sabyan, especially in the…version where she is a model of hazardous beauty (femme fatale).[15]

She appears in men’s dreams, has possessed a purported 30,000 men over the centuries[16], and “cannot be exorcised, only placated”.[17] These types of spirits, or jinns, in are unable to be seen with the eye (except by those possessed), and can be both good and evil, and exhibit free will, the same as human beings.[18]

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[1] "Religious Beliefs In Morocco," WorldAtlas, October 27, 2016, , accessed February 03, 2017, http://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-morocco.html.

[2] "Mosque Hassan II Taraweeh," digital image, Morocco World News, June 24, 2015, accessed February 2, 2017, https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2015/06/161618/half-a-million-moroccans-perform-taraweeh-prayer-at-hassan-ii-mosque-in-casablanca/.

[3] Ibid., Religious Beliefs In Morocco.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Roberto & Christina Mitrotti, "Moulay Idriss Mosque, Fez," digital image, Getty Images, accessed February 2, 2017, http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/video/man-praying-inside-moulay-idriss-mosque-fez-stock-video-footage/91462267.

[6] Ibid., Religious Beliefs In Morocco.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Abd Al-Masih, "WHY IS IT DIFFICULT FOR A MUSLIM TO BECAME A CHRISTIAN,"  accessed February 2, 2017, http://grace-and-truth.org/AM-WhyDifficultForMuslimToBecomeChristian-Booklet.htm.

[9] Dana Loustalot Duncan, "Who is Aicha Qandisha?" Tales of Taromeet, November 28, 2007, , accessed February 03, 2017, http://aichaqandisha.blogspot.com/2007/11/who-is-aicha-qandisha.html.

[10] Mohammed Maarouf, "The Female Jinni Pursuer (Ttab’a/ l-qraina) in Moroccan Mythology," Morocco World News, June 26, 2016, accessed February 03, 2017, https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/06/190185/the-female-jinni-pursuer-ttaba-l-qraina-in-moroccan-mythology/.

[11]  "Djinns (Genies)," Essaouira - Djinns, accessed February 03, 2017, http://www.essaouira.nu/culture_djinns.htm.

[12] Ibid., Dana Loustalot Duncan.

[13] Joe Lukawski, "The Story of Aïsha Kandisha," Hidden Waters, September 28, 2011, accessed February 03, 2017, https://fezfilm.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/the-story-of-aisha-kandisha/.

[14] "Aisha Kindasha," digital image, Traveling Morocco, February 8, 2016, accessed February 2, 2017, http://themoroccanexperience.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-woman-under-water.html.

[15] Mohammed Maarouf, "The Female Jinni Pursuer (Ttab’a/ l-qraina) in Moroccan Mythology," Morocco World News, June 26, 2016, accessed February 03, 2017, https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2016/06/190185/the-female-jinni-pursuer-ttaba-l-qraina-in-moroccan-mythology/.

[16] Ibid., Lukawski.

[17] "Djinns (Genies)," Essaouira - Djinns, accessed February 03, 2017, http://www.essaouira.nu/culture_djinns.htm.

[18] Ibid.