Between “Humanitarian aid” and evangelism in Morocco’s Rif Region

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Casablanca- Are there any evangelists in the Rif? Daily Al Massae’s recent investigation in the Rif region attempted to answer this question.

Daily Moroccan newspaper Al Massae recently published the results of an investigation it had conducted in the Rif region on some suspicious activities carried out by foreign people residing there.

The investigation, published by the daily newspaper this weekend, began after a complaint was lodged by a Sheikh in a popular area of Al Hoceima against an American citizen there.

According to the testimonies provided by the inhabitants of the region, Al Massae reports that the Americans residing in the town of Ait Kamra settled after the earthquake that struck the city of Al Houceima, in order to provide direct assistance to people who were reconstructing their homes at that time.

According to Al Massae, there are several indicators that suggest the Americans there were engaging in evangelist rituals. Some of these indicators are the buildings without a permit where they reside, as well as their insistence on staying in the area.

According to the Moroccan newspaper, the Spanish were the first to practice Proselytism in the Rif region through certain humanitarian activities, such as providing support to associations.  

The investigation conducted by Al Massae has placed question marks on the real purpose behind the humanitarian activities carried out in some remote areas. Whether or not these activities are related to the so-called presence of Proselytism in the region is still an unanswered question. 

Last month, Moroccan authorities arrested an American citizen suspected of engaging in missionary activities in the city of Al Houceima. The suspect had lived in the region since the 2004 earthquake.