Thursday
Jun172010
Panel Petitions For 'Real' Religious Freedom In Morocco
Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 5:25PM
By Benny Martinez - Talk Radio News Service
The Moroccan Constitution protects the freedom of opinion and expression, yet members of the Village of Hope, a Christian organization devoted to providing a caring community for orphaned children, pleaded with Congress Thursday to pursue action against religious discrimination in Morocco.
Herman Boonstra, founder of the Village of Hope, told the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission that he, along with many American foster couples, were deported from their Moroccan homes under the charge of proselytism, the act of attempting to convert others’ opinions or religions.
“We tried to negotiate, but to no avail,” Boonstra said. “[The governor of Ifrane] stated that we had violated the laws concerning proselytism, but who did we proselytize? That was not clearly stated.”
According to a statement released by Moroccan Ambassador to the United States Aziz Mekouar, “the repatriation measures which concerned a number of American citizens, solely and exclusively targeted proselytism activities which are clearly and categorically forbidden by the laws of Morocco and the precepts of Islam.”
The ambassador said that, given these concerns, there can be no mistake about the position of the Moroccan authorities in this case.
The Moroccan Constitution protects the freedom of opinion and expression, yet members of the Village of Hope, a Christian organization devoted to providing a caring community for orphaned children, pleaded with Congress Thursday to pursue action against religious discrimination in Morocco.
Herman Boonstra, founder of the Village of Hope, told the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission that he, along with many American foster couples, were deported from their Moroccan homes under the charge of proselytism, the act of attempting to convert others’ opinions or religions.
“We tried to negotiate, but to no avail,” Boonstra said. “[The governor of Ifrane] stated that we had violated the laws concerning proselytism, but who did we proselytize? That was not clearly stated.”
According to a statement released by Moroccan Ambassador to the United States Aziz Mekouar, “the repatriation measures which concerned a number of American citizens, solely and exclusively targeted proselytism activities which are clearly and categorically forbidden by the laws of Morocco and the precepts of Islam.”
The ambassador said that, given these concerns, there can be no mistake about the position of the Moroccan authorities in this case.
Reader Comments (2)
the evangelist that were expelled from morocco, were because they used their money to convince poor children to embrace the religion, which is I think immoral. Muslim countries help a lot of poor countries in Africa and worldwide, morocco (even if some kind of poor) helps many african countries to survive; those helps are not sent with preachers, or for religious purpose, they are sent to help those people. I don’t say they are the example to follow but in that matter they should be taken as an example.
There are a lot of poor people in my homeland (Morocco), it’s not a reason to use their poverty for religious purposes (which today is more political than religious).
Religion has been affected so much by politics, people have forgotten its first message which is to help people without expecting anything. Christians as jews live freely in Morocco as soon as they respect the laws that are in the country, they are respected (you always have everywhere short-minded people) and Morocco has always tried its best to remain an atmosphere of tolerance and respect.
I live in Europe, I respect the european culture, I respect that minarets are forbidden in Swizerland, that burqa (which is cultural not religious) is forbidden in France and Belgium, you are free to deal however you want with whom doesn’t respect your laws (there are for sure people like that) but please respect the laws that are in my country.
Mr. Mohand May I remind you that there were people from handicap agencies that were expelled...Others who were teaching women sewing and many others who were helping the poor. I am one of those moroccans who have been affected by these fundamentalist crazies.
Morocco has gone crazy...in the name of What????/ Allah himself would not do what our government is doing to the poorest of the poorest... I am moroccan and the moroccan themselves are afraid to engage because their government will torture them if they don't comply. You are living in Europe ... you are safe and you respond from a safe little haven there in switzerland.
So before you begin responding about prosletyzing make sure you know your facts. Go back and do what Islam requires and help the poor before you begin bashing people who are helping us.