Morocco

Location, Geography, and Climate

Morocco is situated on the extreme northwestern corner of Africa and is bordered by Mauritania and Algeria, both to the south and east. Morocco's varied geography includes no less than four separate mountain ranges, in addition to lush river valleys, beautiful sandy coasts, and wide expanses of desert. The three most prominent mountain ranges, which run parallel to each other from the southwest to the northeast, are the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Anti-Atlas. The ascent of the country's highest peak, Jebel Toukbal (13,665 ft./4,165 m.), is a spectacular and not particularly difficult High Atlas trek. The Moroccan coastline, which fronts onto both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, offers plenty of great beaches as well as a number of fascinating old coastal cities. In the southeast, Morocco's mountain ranges yield inexorably to the desolate expanse of the Sahara. The rivers that flow down this side of the High Atlas support long, narrow, and lush river valleys that resemble linear oases.  The climate in Morocco is reliably dry, although small amounts of rain do fall between November and March. Temperature varies considerably by season and locale. While the southern and southeastern desert regions can reach extremely high temperatures during the hot summer months, the higher altitudes of the mountains are cool in summer evenings and freezing in winter. Most travellers find the early summer months to be the most comfortable time to visit, as rain is not a threat and temperatures are warm during the day and pleasantly cool at night. Islam is the state religion. The practice of Christianity is tolerated. Law and tradition call for severe punishments for anyone who converts from Islam. Proselytizing by non-Muslims is often punished even when it does not violate Articles 220 and 221 of the Penal Code, which make proselytizing a crime only if seductive or coercive means are employed. Convictions of such actions usually result in deportation.

June 1999 - Five American citizens were detained and deported after being accused of distributing Christian literature on a train from Rabat to Tangier.

March 1, 1999 - It was reported that four foreigners (British and Korean) were arrested on proselytization charges in the town of Tata. Bibles and Christian pamphlets were seized in the process.

July 15, 1998--A Moroccan appeals court upheld a lower court's sentence against four Western Christians that was passed on June 5, 1998. The court reportedly charged Graham Hutt (British), Serge Dechoz (French), Kelly Viinikka (Canadian), and Antero Ylikangas (Canadian) with "intent to introduce merchandise into the country without a customs declaration." The men were fined $42,000, given a suspended two-month prison term, and Hutt's yacht and motorcycle were confiscated (valued at $253,000). The merchandise in question involved 1200 New Testaments and 500 Bibles and would have required a $65 customs charge had they been declared. All the men except Graham Hutt have been allowed to leave the country with no punishment. It was found that a multi-page confession that was written in Arabic and signed by the men contained other charges. The confession was signed by the men after they had been questioned for fourteen hours, been denied food and water, and were promised they would be released if they signed it, which they weren't. The statement said the signers confessed to the following: illegal entry into Morocco, being missionaries in Morocco as well as other countries, being involved in a conspiracy to subvert the Islamic faith, being involved in a conspiracy to subvert Morocco, planning to distribute materials during the night to convert Muslims, and smuggling the religious materials found in Serge Dechoz's apartment into the country.

January 26, 1998 - Police arrested three expatriates and eight Moroccan nationals. Except for the American citizen, Jack Rasmussen, all were released on the 28th after an appearance in court. No charges were made. All the expatriates were Christians who engaged in evangelism while in Morocco and three of the Moroccans were Christians.

August 28, 1996 - Timothy Lamb, an American citizen studying Arabic, was deported for giving a Christian tract to a person in a hotel in March. Moroccan authorities failed to contact the American consul as was the accepted practice when they have an American in custody. During his detainment, Lamb was pressured to convert to Islam by multiple judges. His roommate Joohyun Ahn, a South Korean working in tourism, was also deported despite having been acquitted on all charges. Their room had been searched and all Christian materials confiscated despite that no arrest or search warrant was presented. Neither men were allowed to make phone calls or to get an attorney while being held, which is contrary to Moroccan law.

June 1996 - Two women visiting Morocco were arrested and deported for giving a Moroccan a Christian tape. During their detainment, the women were not allowed to make a phone call or to contact their embassies or an attorney. Prisoners: There is no evidence that prisoners are continuing to be held for their Christian beliefs at this time.