Invading armies brought Islam to Morocco in the seventh century. Islam is so much a part of the culture that the late King Hassan II, who assumed the throne in 1961, claimed to be a direct descendant of Mohammed. Hassan was committed to the preservation of Islam as the religion of all Moroccans and his son, King Mohammed VI, appears to have similar ambitions. The majority of the Muslim population consists of Sunni Muslims who are ethnically a mix of Arabs and Berbers.

The 1992 constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all, while designating Islam as the state religion. Any criticism of Islam is banned under the Penal Code and is punishable with up to five years in prison. Furthermore, any publication that could "threaten the fundamental institutional policies or religion of the kingdom" can be banned. On November 28, 2006, a Moroccan court sentenced a German tourist, Sadek Noshi Yassa (64) to six months in prison and a fine of 500 dirhams ($68 CAD) for trying to "shake the faith of a Muslim." Authorities alleged that Yassa was distributing books and CDs about the Christian faith to young Muslims on the streets of Agadir. He was able to leave Morocco before the sentence was handed down.

The majority of Christians are foreign residents and the government denies that there are any indigenous Christians, despite a growing number of Moroccans coming to faith in Christ. While conversion from Islam is not a criminal offense, those who come to Christ have endured ostracism from families, loss of employment, and imprisonment. Missionary work is not allowed, though there are foreign workers in other roles seeking to share their faith.

• Pray that those who are seeking Christ will have the freedom to come to faith in Him without threats of punishment or harassment. 
• Pray that many churches and mission agencies will take up the challenge of reaching out to the Muslims in Morocco with the love of Christ.