Doha – As the holy month of Ramadan begins, Morocco is actively engaging in “religious diplomacy” to strengthen its ties with countries around the world, according to a report by Anadolu Agency.
Through various initiatives, such as sending imams and university professors to serve Moroccan communities abroad, training foreign imams, and hosting scholars from different countries, Morocco is demonstrating its commitment to fostering religious and cultural connections.
Every year during Ramadan, Morocco invests in religious diplomacy by dispatching religious missions to support Moroccan expatriates. Radouane Rhenimi, a professor at the Multidisciplinary College in Taroudant, emphasized the importance of this effort.
“Religious diplomacy is no less important than other forms of diplomacy,” Anadolu Agency quoted him as saying. “Moroccan religious diplomacy has proven its effectiveness, as evidenced by the sending of religious missions for the benefit of expatriates, in addition to the notable presence of a number of African imams who receive religious guidance in Morocco.”
In March 2015, Morocco launched the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines, and Morchidates in Rabat, which focuses on training imams from other countries. In 2023 alone, the institute trained 389 foreign imams, according to Anadolu Agency.
Morocco is particularly striving to strengthen its religious ties with other African countries by hosting the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema, which includes 32 countries. Asma El Masmoudi, a member of the Mohammadia League of Ulema, explained to Anadolu Agency that religious diplomacy aims to achieve communication in various dimensions, foster religious, knowledge-based, and cultural exchange, and promote openness, coexistence, and reconciliation with oneself and others.
During Ramadan, the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema organizes numerous activities, with its Supreme Council comprising dozens of religious scholars from 32 African countries, as well as Moroccan scholars.
Read also: African Oulema: Morocco Promotes Religious Tolerance and Cooperation
Established in July 2015 and headquartered in Fez, the foundation aims to unify the efforts of Muslim scholars in Morocco and other African countries in contributing to the implementation and consolidation of the values of tolerance, coexistence, and moderation in African societies for comprehensive development on the continent, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Since 1992, the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad has been providing religious support to Moroccan expatriates throughout the month of Ramadan. This year, the foundation announced sending a delegation of 274 academics, preachers, and reciters to deliver lectures and conduct religious activities during Ramadan in 14 countries. According to Anadolu Agency, the countries include France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Canada, the United States, Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Norway, and Iceland.
Asma El Masmoudi stressed the importance of these religious missions, telling Anadolu Agency: “The religious mission aims to provide religious and general knowledge guidance. Religious guidance achieves its goal through experience and contact, and by identifying the needs of the Moroccan community abroad and the Muslim community in general.”
Morocco also hosts the “Royal Lectures” throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Chaired by King Mohammed VI, the lectures bring together scholars, sheikhs, preachers, and reciters from different countries, further enhancing Morocco’s religious diplomacy efforts.
As part of this tradition, King Mohammed VI presided today over the first Royal Lecture of this year’s holy month of Ramadan at the Royal Palace in Rabat.
As in other Muslim-majority countries, Ramadan in Morocco is marked by an increased focus on worship and good deeds, with the king at the forefront of this trend.
Through its multifaceted approach to religious diplomacy, Morocco is not only strengthening its ties with countries around the world but also providing valuable support to its expatriate communities and promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence, and moderation on a global scale.
