By Youssef El Kaidi
Morocco World News
Fez, July 27, 2013
According to the news agency EFE, Article 222 of the Penal Code was applied Tuesday, July 23 at the Salé court with the conviction of a girl to three months in prison for smoking during the day of Ramadan in Rabat on Sunday, July 21.
The girl who smoked in broad daylight gave the pretext of headache and that she needed a cigarette to calm down the pain. However, medical examination found no ailment that could exempt her from fasting. Moreover, she was not in her menstrual period when she smoked.
The family of the girl demanded bail but it was rejected by the judge.
Article 222 of the Penal Code specifies that “anyone who is notoriously known for membership in the religion of Islam and ostensibly breaks the fast in public during the time of fasting Ramadan, without the reasons permitted by this religion” is liable to 1-6 months in prison and a fine.
This verdict would again stir debate on Article 222 of the Moroccan Penal Code. Many rights groups and social and political activists call for the decriminalization of eating in Ramadan and see the act as personal and religious freedom. “What does bother Muslim fasters if somebody eats in public?” they ask.