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Morocco's Spiritual Influence: A Deep Dive into MENA's Religious Landscape

Thursday 15 August 2024 - 11:45

In a recent report by the Pew Research Center, Morocco emerges as one of the world's most devout nations, with 90% of its population valuing religion and over 70% engaging in daily prayer.

The comprehensive study, covering 102 countries from 2008 to 2023, highlights the significance of faith in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Among MENA countries, Morocco leads in religious commitment, followed by Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq. In terms of daily prayers, Morocco stands fourth, trailing Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine.

Globally, Indonesia surpasses all, with 98% prioritizing religion and 95% praying daily.

These findings resonate with a Statista survey conducted from April 2022 to March 2023, which also underscores Morocco's strong religious devotion, ranking it among countries with religiosity levels between 80% and 99%.

The Pew report notes, "The most religious regions tend to be in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East-North Africa, while Europe and East Asia show lower religiosity."

Morocco's historical role in spreading Islam is pivotal, with the nation actively engaging in religious diplomacy across Africa and Europe. This effort aims to promote moderate Islam and counter extremism.

Following the 2003 Casablanca attacks linked to extremists, Morocco restructured its religious landscape, establishing the Mohammed VI Institute for Training of Imams. This institute trains preachers from various countries, including Tunisia, Mali, and France, in the Sunni tradition.

The Pew report emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of global religiosity, suggesting that while prayer and religious importance offer insights, further exploration is essential to grasp the diverse spiritual practices across cultures.

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