Moroccan Morchidates

From: Sarah Kramer
Length: 03:55

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has a new approach for countering Islamic extremism in his country: Female Preachers. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Moroccan Morchidates
From: Sarah Kramer

Morchidate_lecture_small In May of 2003, Morocco was shaken by a set of violent suicide bombings by Islamic fundamentalists that killed over 40 people. Since then, the Moroccan government has taken steps to moderate the religious landscape of this North African country. As part of the effort, in 2005 Morocco’s king, Mohammed VI, introduced an innovative and controversial program of female religious guides called Morchidates. In their sermons, these women preach tolerance and the rejection of violence, and they provide crucial social services to their communities. But some Moroccans wonder if the Morchidates represent true reform, or if they're just government propaganda.

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Piece Description

In May of 2003, Morocco was shaken by a set of violent suicide bombings by Islamic fundamentalists that killed over 40 people. Since then, the Moroccan government has taken steps to moderate the religious landscape of this North African country. As part of the effort, in 2005 Morocco’s king, Mohammed VI, introduced an innovative and controversial program of female religious guides called Morchidates. In their sermons, these women preach tolerance and the rejection of violence, and they provide crucial social services to their communities. But some Moroccans wonder if the Morchidates represent true reform, or if they're just government propaganda.